Another Speedster bites the dust!

[raoul5788]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1955-STUDEBAKER-SPEEDSTER-RARE-FULLY-RESTORED-STREETROD_W0QQitemZ290405576249QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Cars_Trucks?hash=item439d856e39

Too bad what this guy did to a Speedster. It's nicely done, but I wish he hadn't used a Speedster.


Chip
'63 Cruiser daily driver
'57 Packard wagon on the road!

[Milaca]

The listing details makes mention of how rare the Speedsters are. But with the many modifications made to this car, its not really a Speedster anymore. What they have there is a very nice hot rod, but it's no longer a true Speedster (in my opinion).


Autumn at Lake Barget
In the middle of Minnestudea

[okc63avanti]

I think he did a nice job !

John


63R-2386 under restoration & modification

[billmdonn]

Not my cup of tea. The whole idea of taking chrome bumpers regardless of condition and painting them is a complete turnoff for me. But I am sure there is a percentage on the forum that love it.

[TX Rebel]

Nice car if you are into rods but I agree that it is a shame that it happened to a rare Speedster. He should have built a 53 0r 54. No doubt it will get some good bids, though. The bumpers are chrome, but the builder wasn't ready to drop $1600. into Chrome for the grill pieces on a rod, and you can't blame him.

Barry'd in Studes

[Chris_Dresbach]

I think it is a nice job, except the BBC engine.[xx(] One the other hand, I wouln't mind seeing a "before" picture of this car. The reason I say that is because I REALLY HOPE this thing was a nasty, bombed out speedster and it was easier to do this than restore it, and saved it from going to a scrap yard. If that's how it started out, he did a good job. Now, if it started out a really nice speedster, well..[?]

Chris Dresbach

1940 Champion two door.
Parts of the 1952 Model N

[3rdGenStude]

I don't think that's even a Speedster dash. Looks like a Hawk dash plate to me.

Paul

Paul

In memory of Boris, the 1950 Land Cruiser project,
. . . he became a down payment for. . .
Natasha, the 1955 Speedster project

[Steve T]

I like this one...the bumpers haven't been painted, just the chrome upper "snout" (which even Mr Bourke, who designed the car, would have preferred be body-colour). Would I rather a stock Speedster? Well, particularly if this one started as an intact original rather than little more than a hulk, yes; but would I be pleased to be seen driving this bowtie-powered red rocket around southern Ontario regardless? Again...yes. This car really catches the eye.

(I'd probably add some white to the overall red though, for a nice "Canada Day" effect...)

S.

[COMMANDERPINK1]

Do we know if it is a true Speedster? I do like the painted grille work on this one, some colors dont make the painting of them look right.
Tom

[Invalid User Name]

If he would chrome the V and S in the grill cavity, it would give it a better balance. Also a set of GT headlight rings really works on that year of car. We've seen that on others and it looks great.

Doug
Venice, Florida
1950 Champion
9G F1

[bams50]

Our feelings come from the perspective of being Studebaker enthusiasts. Most people couldn't care less about Studebakers and what models are significant. Probably this was built by a guy who just saw a cool body style and got an idea for a different street rod. Or maybe he didn't know what he was looking for and came across this in a barn for a cheap price so said what the heck, why not? I could picture somebody rolling it in the shop and doing what so many of the TV shows do- immediately toss the running gear and suspension without so much as a second look, chop off that weird-looking front clip, and starting from there. Happens all the time. I'd bet a build of this quality started with a pretty solid specimen, but I doubt he went looking specifically for a Speedster.

Maybe they got most of the way into the build and came across the info on the rarity. Instead of doing what a lot of us would do- hesitating about rodding a rare car- he may have just thought "hey neat, I'll remember to mention that when I sell it". Of course, being that modified it doesn't really matter much anymore.

At least it looks like a quality build.[8D]

Robert (Bob) Andrews- on the IoMT (Island of Misfit Toys)
Parish, central NY 13131

GOD BLESS AMERICA

[52-fan]

Beautiful job. I wish he wouldn't use the words restored and rod together, but it's a fine looking car.

"In the heart of Arkansas."
1952 Champion Starlight w/overdrive. Searcy, Arkansas

[raprice]

Not my cup of tea. In fact it's not even a Studebaker. A hotrod maybe, but not a Studebaker.
Just my 2 cents.
Rog

'59 Lark VI Regal Hardtop
Smithtown,NY
Long Island Studebaker Club

[Jerry Forrester]

quote:Originally posted by 52-fan

Beautiful job. I wish he wouldn't use the words restored and rod together, but it's a fine looking car.

"In the heart of Arkansas."
1952 Champion Starlight w/overdrive. Searcy, Arkansas

Well maybe it was a rod when he got it but it was well used and he restored back to it's former rodified glory as a rod.[}]

Jerry Forrester
Forrester's Chrome
Douglasville, Georgia

[woodysrods]

Looks like a very nice job! Speedster or not he should have lost that ugly hood & grill while he was at it.
But everyone has a different point of view and different tastes.
This car will probably see more miles per year than most restored Studes.
Brian

Brian Woods
woodysrods@shaw.ca
1946 M Series (Shop Truck)