My Grandpa's 1951 Starlight Coupe Boat

[Avantifan1]

I wish I had a picture of this, but it's not hard to imagine. I was just thinking today what my earliest recollection of a Studebaker was, and it was my Grandpa Randall. He was a hard worker mostly working on someone else's farm. It was the mid to late 50's, Chris Craft and other boat manufacturers had developed some pretty cool looking boats, designs taken from the car industry, noses, fins, tops, interiors. Well my grandpa hard working and broke could never afford something like that, so he made his own, he had a wood boat, found a wrecked Starlight Coupe, cut the top off married the two together and used it as the windshield, I remember thinking how cool that was, and how smart my grandpa was.

I've heard there was an article written in the Studebaker Drivers Club magazine, about one of these years ago with photo's, I don't know if it was grandpa's or not.

[studeclunker]

A bullet-nose boat would be rather cool.

[Avantifan1]

Yes it would.

[Dave Bates]

I think there was some pictures on Facebook a while back that might be what you’re looking for.

[studegary]

I think that it might have been covered on this SDC Forum. I don't remember it being in TW. If it was here, Craig can probably find it.

[Avantifan1]

Thanks Gary that would be great.

[Jessie J.]

I have also seen those pictures of a boat fitted with a early starlight coupe roof. Probably have them somewhere in my 56 year collection.

[Chris Pile]

Anyone remember seeing the RV camper with the curved 4 window roof of a bulletnose installed like a turret on top of the camper? It housed the sleeping quarters of the camper... Painted dark blue, as I recall.

[Buzzard]

There was one here near Needles Calif. with a '53-55 coupe/hardtop rear window for a windshield but I missed my opportunity to photograph and post here.
If it shows again I surely will.
Bill

[Avantifan1]

Thanks Bill

[Avantifan1]

I have found 1 photo not very good but you'll get the idea, on this boat they used the entire top right up to the wing windows.

[rockne10]

That one appears to be permanently dry-docked.

[Avantifan1]

That one appears to be permanently dry-docked.

Looks that way.

[Mrs K Corbin]

looks like it was done as a joke. Or found that way and moved there for fun. Look at the sign in the window

[kurtruk]

Anyone remember seeing the RV camper with the curved 4 window roof of a bulletnose installed like a turret on top of the camper? It housed the sleeping quarters of the camper... Painted dark blue, as I recall.

Yes, I have poor pictures of it. It was in the Nipomo, Ca area. Also appeared on some television show.