53 54 grills / 2dr. vs. 4dr.

[chris speder]

Can any one tell me if a grill and related parts from a 1953 4 door will fit on a 1953 2 door? I also wonder about the hood.
Thank you very much
Chris

[Michidan]

4 door front is same as 2 Door SEDAN or (1954 only) 2 Door WAGON.

Not the same for 2 door coupe (C body) or hardtop (K body). These are lower and flatter front ends.

Dan
52 hardtop

https://www.studebakerhardtop.com

[sals54]

I think the only part that interchanges on those front ends with the coupes or hardtops are the grill bars, not the grill surrounds. Someone will correct me if I am mistaken.

sals54

[Roscomacaw]

Chris, There were 2dr sedans and 4dr sedans and both use the same grille pieces.
There were also coupes and hardtops and they both shared grill pieces. But The coupe-hardtop pieces and the 2dr-4dr sedan pieces don't interchange SAVE FOR the center bars that have the parking lite incorporated. For 53 only, these bars fit any of the Stude models.

For 1954 - NONE of the pieces interchange between sedans and coupe-hardtops.

Miscreant Studebaker nut in California's central valley.

1957 Transtar 1/2ton
1960 Larkvertible V8
1958 Provincial wagon
1953 Commander coupe
1957 President two door

[chris speder]

quote:Originally posted by Michidan

4 door front is same as 2 Door SEDAN or (1954 only) 2 Door WAGON.

Not the same for 2 door coupe (C body) or hardtop (K body). These are lower and flatter front ends.

Dan
52 hardtop

https://www.studebakerhardtop.com

[chris speder]

Thanks so much for all the help.
I have had a 55 hard top in my garage for about 15 yrs.and would like it to look like a 53/54.
Are there any reproduction parts out there?
Again thanks alot.
chris

[55s]

I happen to like the looks of the big Sabre-like grille.

However, many get painted because of rechroming costs, and some prefer the look. (Just the centre bar chromed.)

Apparently, the grills were originally going to be painted accoding to the designers, but the sales guys wanted more chrome to compete with Buick.

Your car, your choice, but 53-54 coupe and ht grills are pretty scarce. They will be expensive.

Paul

[JDP]

Those parts are a budget buster for any restoration, over 2K for show grills.

JDP/Maryland
"I'm a great believer in luck and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it."
Thomas Jefferson

[rockne10]

quote:would like it to look like a 53/54.

Then you're going to need more than the very expensive grills; hood, air deflecters, etc, etc.

It's not undoable and, someone would probably love to have your orphaned grill, parking light housings, hood, etc.

I believe hoods are being repopped in fibreglass and good steel hoods can still be found at swap meets.

Restoring your '55 as is, would be a much less daunting task.

[wcarroll@outrageous.net]

These guys make fiberglass '53/'54 front ends :

http://www.the-glas-shop.com/ck.htm

http://community.webshots.com/user/s2dbaker?vhost=community

[S2DSteve]

Last I heard Dave Theibeault (T-bow) was still reproducing the surrounds in brass, $200 each you finish (unchromed). Not a bad deal considering you can spend some time final finishing before turning over to the chrome shop. The bars are a little easier(cheaper)to find since they do interchange between coupes and sedans.


Steve Hudson
The Dalles, Oregon
1949 "GMOBaker" 1-T Dually (workhorse)
1953 Commander Convertible (show & go)
1953 Champion Starliner (custom/rod project)
1954 Champion Coupe (daily driver)
1960 Hawk (future project?)

[Boothguy]

I'm also planning to 53erize my 55 since my first car was a 53 commander. I've picked up a donor 54 champ coupe thats beyond saving and a 53 commander dash so I think I have most of the necessary parts. I'm going to leave all the 55 greenhouse stainless on it, so it won't fool too many people. I'd like to get a pair of reproduction grille surrounds if someone could provide contact info. I heard that some one also was reproducing tail light housings at one time, are they available? Thanks

[studegary]

quote:Originally posted by Boothguy

I'm also planning to 53erize my 55 since my first car was a 53 commander. I've picked up a donor 54 champ coupe thats beyond saving and a 53 commander dash so I think I have most of the necessary parts. I'm going to leave all the 55 greenhouse stainless on it, so it won't fool too many people. I'd like to get a pair of reproduction grille surrounds if someone could provide contact info. I heard that some one also was reproducing tail light housings at one time, are they available? Thanks

I believe that Dave T. has a business card size ad in the back of every Turning Wheels. He is the guy with the reproduction C/K grille shells. It should be safe to assume that you are a member of SDC. If not, join for only $19.95 from this web site.

Gary L.
Wappinger, NY

SDC member since 1968
Studebaker enthusiast much longer

[wcarroll@outrageous.net]

I've had both the fiberglass and the brass aftermarket shells, and would suggest sticking with fiberglass unless someone really has to have metal/chrome. There's some great chrome paint available out there that really looks the part and would work well on the fiberglass with careful masking/prep. Unfortunately, the brass shells are ridiculously heavy and require tons of prep work -and chrome plating costs $$$$$$ these days

http://community.webshots.com/user/s2dbaker?vhost=community

[rockne10]

Will,
Are you saying someone is repopping the grills in fiberglass?