58 Hardtop/Convertible question

[autocrat]

I've often pondered taking a 58 Stude hardtop and retrofitting either a 56 or 57 complete trim changeover. Of course, I'll never do it, too many projects now, and the time to easily gather all the pieces has certainly passed. Has anyone ever done this? It would be one good-looking car. Same with retrofitting 57 Packard trim on a 58.
Another thought would be to take an early Lark convertible and doing the same. This would be more than a bolt-on, but could be done. All the hard convertible engineering would be ready. I don't know how much cowl change between 58 and 59, and the rear is certainly shorter. Could the earlier front end be bolted up to the Lark body?
Which combo would be your favorite? Mine would probably be a 57 Packard convertible. That would be a lot of work, but the possibilities in imagination are endless. How about a 57 Caribbean!

[Swifster]

There was a little banter a couple weeks ago about this very topic. Most suggested fitting the older body work on a lark convertible chassis. I think it would be easier retrofitting the convertible top assembly and the reinforcements onto the older car. I think a '57 Caribbean would be a great ride especially after shoe-horning a dual quad 374 into the engine bay!

You'd probably have to start with a '58 hardtop and swap everything over from a '57 Parkard donar and a Lark 'vert donar. This would include drilling out and transfering the reinforements. Time consuming but not that hard.

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Tom - Valrico, FL

1964 Studebaker Daytona

[Swifster]

There was a little banter a couple weeks ago about this very topic. Most suggested fitting the older body work on a lark convertible chassis. I think it would be easier retrofitting the convertible top assembly and the reinforcements onto the older car. I think a '57 Caribbean would be a great ride especially after shoe-horning a dual quad 374 into the engine bay!

You'd probably have to start with a '58 hardtop and swap everything over from a '57 Parkard donar and a Lark 'vert donar. This would include drilling out and transfering the reinforements. Time consuming but not that hard.

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Tom - Valrico, FL

1964 Studebaker Daytona

[StudeRich]

Ya mean like this? : http://tinyurl.com/28lrbt

StudeRich
Studebakers Northwest
Ferndale, WA

[StudeRich]

Ya mean like this? : http://tinyurl.com/28lrbt

StudeRich
Studebakers Northwest
Ferndale, WA

[studegary]

Someone converted a '58 hardtop into a '56 (or '57) by changing front clip, rear treatment, etc. I saw the car at SDC International Meets and thought that it looked good. I haven't seen the car in years and do not know if it still exists.

Gary L.
Wappinger, NY

1959 DeLuxe pickup (restomod)

[studegary]

Someone converted a '58 hardtop into a '56 (or '57) by changing front clip, rear treatment, etc. I saw the car at SDC International Meets and thought that it looked good. I haven't seen the car in years and do not know if it still exists.

Gary L.
Wappinger, NY

1959 DeLuxe pickup (restomod)

[Swifster]

quote:Originally posted by StudeRich

Ya mean like this? : http://tinyurl.com/28lrbt

That wasn't the post I was thinking of, but I like your post better .

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Tom - Valrico, FL

1964 Studebaker Daytona

[Swifster]

quote:Originally posted by StudeRich

Ya mean like this? : http://tinyurl.com/28lrbt

That wasn't the post I was thinking of, but I like your post better .

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Tom - Valrico, FL

1964 Studebaker Daytona

[Michidan]

There was this post here too http://www.studebakerdriversclub.com...TOPIC_ID=10506

And I remember a photoshopped picture of a 56 hardtop in a recent thread. That's the one I really want to do.

Dan
52 hardtop

https://www.studebakerhardtop.com

[Michidan]

There was this post here too http://www.studebakerdriversclub.com...TOPIC_ID=10506

And I remember a photoshopped picture of a 56 hardtop in a recent thread. That's the one I really want to do.

Dan
52 hardtop

https://www.studebakerhardtop.com

[Swifster]

That's the one I was thinking of. I wonder if Matt cut the roof off of that pretty black & white car(?).

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Tom - Valrico, FL

1964 Studebaker Daytona

[Swifster]

That's the one I was thinking of. I wonder if Matt cut the roof off of that pretty black & white car(?).

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Tom - Valrico, FL

1964 Studebaker Daytona

[Roscomacaw]

" That's the one I was thinking of. I wonder if Matt cut the roof off of that pretty black & white car(?).

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Tom - Valrico, FL"

If he did, he's gonna be without computer privleges for a LONG time - after he's released from the hospital![:0]



Miscreant adrift in
the BerStuda Triangle


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

[Roscomacaw]

" That's the one I was thinking of. I wonder if Matt cut the roof off of that pretty black & white car(?).

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tom - Valrico, FL"

If he did, he's gonna be without computer privleges for a LONG time - after he's released from the hospital![:0]



Miscreant adrift in
the BerStuda Triangle


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