You Can`t Raise The Dead....................Or Can You?

[sailingadventure]

In March of 2004 I was invited to go to a farm in the middle of North Carolina. About 25 of us gathered at a small diner on the road to the farm about 9:00AM and proceeded to the Mother Load of old cars. These had been collected by a local man over a period of many years and his daughter was selling them to pay some bills for her father. To see some of these cars, follow this linkhttp://mccainautomotive.com/TheFarm.htm

One of these cars was a 1937 Studebaker Dictator. It had been in the woods for many years and was just about rotten but my brother just had to have it. I could see it in his eyes and the cogs in his head were spinning so fast thinking how he would fix the car I swear I could smell bacon. Well he bought it and we brought it to our shop and started the tear down.

The first thing was to brace what was left of the body so it wouldn`t fall apart.

The top had been crushed by a tree and the bottom was pretty much gone. The top was removed and the body was going to be sectioned 3". But before this could be done, we needed something to work with so Steve bought another `37 that was on E-Bay. The only problem was that it was a 4 door. I had done a little research and found that the cars were identical in length and by a little surgery,the 4 door could be used as a donor car.

After the 4 door arrived, the cutting began.

[Swifster]

You can do anything with cars if you throw enough money at it...

[sailingadventure]

iT`S NOT MONEY BUT TIME AND SKILL

[BobPalma]

Wow; that is amazing! Congratulations on all the hard work. BP

[Roscomacaw]

Wow! This is one of those examples we sometimes talk about. About how if it casts a shadow, it can be restored. There was a time I had initiative to take on a daunting project - but not one like this.

[sweetolbob]

SA

I can't begin to tell you all how much I admire the effort and skill that will be put into that car. One of the prettiest Studebaker's ever IMHO.

Sometimes it's not the money but the effort and the journey to the end product that is the reward. I've used recovering and improving on sick puppys for years to maintain my sanity (Although many may disagree !!). The HAMB is full of projects that started in as poor a condition and have been returned to nice driveable/showable vehicles.

I live vicariously through projects like these (as well as some modest effort of my own) so please forge ahead knowing that you are being cheered from the sidelines as long as you keep the pictures coming.

Bob

[hawk58man]

Its tough when you have to bring your" Logging stuff" to get your car out of the woods!..Thanks for saving a few 2 more Studebakers, and for the photos.Good luck.. Mike..

[sailingadventure]

The car was sectioned three inches and the rusted areas were cut from the bottom of the body.

The rear of the body was removed from the 4 door and the cowl was removed from the coupe. The pieces were put together and checked to see where the cuts would need to be made.

The top from the 4 door would be used , but it would have to be cut and sectioned to make it work.

It was decided to lean the windshield back to make the lines flow better so it was cut below the windshield and leaned back.

The windshield divider was a separate piece on the original cars so a new one was made from some garnish moldings. The distinctive rear window was kept but a divider similar to the windshield divider was fabricated.

[sailingadventure]

The back of the body needed a lot of work to eliminate the rusty areas. The rear fenders were to be widened and a lower panel would have to be made. I rolled out the panel on the English wheel and Steve cut and widened the fenders.

The car was finally taking shape and it was starting to look like a car again.

More to follow.



It was decided to put Corvette suspension on the car and this ment that the front of the frame would have to be modified.

A 401 Buick Nailhead motor was chosen and was rebuilt with all new parts. It was mounted in the frame and motor mounts were fabricated.

[David]

Amazing. Beautiful work. I subscribed to this thread. Excellent engine choice.

[sailingadventure]

Thanks guys, I`ll post some more as I have time. I`m glad you`re enjoying this thread.

Jeff

[Noxnabaker]

Yeah, I could go with that!
Or could've... ...if I wasn't so awfully old & lazy.
That kinda car doesn't matter how "dead" it is as long as the lines/shape are still there.

[aarrggh]

Pre war Studebakers rule the land .........................
Well worth saving if you can , specially cause of the cool batwing window ..........

[BobPalma]

Hey, hey, guys; check out Joe's Post #1285 to this topic for some inspiration:

http://forum.studebakerdriversclub.com/showthread.php?55365-Studes-in-Roadside-Americana-photos&p=714234#post714234

[sailingadventure]

While working on the top, we noticed that the door didn`t have a pleasing shape so to make look a little better it was modified. Here are some pictures of the work.

[Chris_Dresbach]

I always love to see old cars abandoned in the woods for years brought back to life. In my opinion, if it casts a shadow it can be rebuilt. (just for about 5 times the cash it would for one that casts a more complete shadow.) I'm determined to get my post-war rust bucket back to life, and it literally came from the Studebaker Graveyard! (zombie car, perhaps?)