Is Our Custom One of the Oldest?

[paintim613]

With the exception of extending the fins toward the cab, the custom work on our '53 was done in the 1953-56 period. Just wondering if anyone knows of a custom done before this time period. Note that I am not referring to just an older car, but work that was done before ours was done. I'm sure there must be some.

[Chris Pile]

Pix would help.

[Studedude]

http://www.jimsrodshop.net/31b.html

[sals54]

Paintim... I REALLY dig this car. I love most of the customs using the 53 Coupes and Hardtops. Sometimes they miss the mark, but this one is cool. Do me just one little favor... Remove the grill and paint the back side of the grill area black. It would set off the chrome in the grill better. Sorry, just my opinion.

[studegary]

I worked on some and knew of others in the 1953-56 time period, including some radical changes like sectioning and top removals. Pre-1953 would be too early for me. It would only be research, not personal experience in going back further.

[4961Studebaker]

By your criteria, (so far) your cars custom work was completed before one of the forums most well known customs. THE UTE. Originally started/completed IIRC in 1958-59, by Lee Talbot. It attended the GNRS in 59 after many years, Dick Steinkamp found the car in 2008 IIRC and restored it to its former glory but in a different color in order to attend the 2009 GNRS anniversary show.

So...you may win, just strive for your cars place in forum history.

Take some time and Advance Search - The Ute. Or Talbot

[Chris Pile]

Schweet Schtudebaker!

[paintim613]

By your criteria, (so far) your cars custom work was completed before one of the forums most well known customs. THE UTE. Originally started/completed IIRC in 1958-59, by Lee Talbot. It attended the GNRS in 59 after many years, Dick Steinkamp found the car in 2008 IIRC and restored it to its former glory but in a different color in order to attend the 2009 GNRS anniversary show.

So...you may win, just strive for your cars place in forum history.

Take some time and Advance Search - The Ute. Or Talbot

Our car isn't in the same class as the Kart Hauler (The UTE), or STU COOL, or Steve Hudson's convertible. Its history of being done by my wife's father and uncle well before she was born is what we cherish most.

[paintim613]

Paintim... I REALLY dig this car. I love most of the customs using the 53 Coupes and Hardtops. Sometimes they miss the mark, but this one is cool. Do me just one little favor... Remove the grill and paint the back side of the grill area black. It would set off the chrome in the grill better. Sorry, just my opinion.

Thanks for your suggestion. Personally, I wish we still had the original grill(s) leaving the hood as it was and no rear fins with just extended butter knife chrome pieces on the rear quarters. That way it would look more Stude than it now does. But we committed to honor the original custom work as much as possible and very reluctantly agreed to the fin extensions to lessen the abruptness of the raised trunk lid appearance. The trunk lid actually is an Oldsmobile hood. We did switch the hood ornament and wheel covers to help make it more obvious that it is a Studebaker. It resembles a '56 T-Bird but we have a picture of it in a parade in the summer of '56 dispelling any notion that it was customized to look like a '56 T-Bird. It could be argued that a '55 T-Bird with a continental kit added may have been part of the inspiration. Unfortunately, we will never know as my wife's dad and uncle, both now deceased, couldn't remember why they did what they did except that it was the thing to do at the time if you had a body shop. We certainly enjoy the car for the sentimental value and for the numerous conversations it starts.