Spannerbird's 1953 Commander Starlight

[Spannerbird]

Stude on the transporter


Tom (Dragon Transport) unloading Stude

Stude at home in the garage.

Stude in the garage, seeing what his/her real condition is... Prognosis; needs loads of work, and kind of smells.





So far I need to buy a complete interior, brakes aren't too well, I have no keys, back bumper guard is rusted, boot is rusted badly, there's a hole in the boot lid, engine is unknown, but has no battery. Fan shroud is rusted. Basically yes, loads of rust and needs new seals, everywhere. At least it has tyres that look decent, and it has hub caps on the passenger side only.

[StudeRich]

She or He looks like a good start, fairly straight and solid.

[Spannerbird]

Stude rolls great and the gearbox/transmission seems solid. Oh yeh I also need a radiator cap, and to connect the fuel line from the engine to the tank.

Cheers StudeRich!

[StudeRich]

Stude rolls great and the gearbox/transmission seems solid. Oh yeh I also need a radiator cap, and to connect the fuel line from the engine to the tank.Cheers StudeRich!

My suggestion is, if this is a long standing (stored, parked) Car, you do NOT want to connect the fuel line until you are really sure the tank and lines are not full of stale Gas, dirt, rust, water etc.

What I do is put a fuel hose on the fuel pump inlet fitting, if it does not have a hose slip-on barbed fitting you can buy one they are cheap.
Then you can run a piece of 5/16 Fuel Hose into a 1 or 2 Gal. Gas Can next to the battery or on the ground and not worry about clogging the system up.

I applaud your excitement and enthusiasm, but sometimes you have to slow down a bit and understand the consequences, ask us 'ol geezers here before you make a mistake!

The very best of luck Arielle, with your new find, if you are going to buy a Stude. there is nothing like starting with one of the Two BEST Models ever built!

'53 and '54 Starlights and Starliners.

[Flashback]

Congradulations, thanks for sharing pictures. Every time I see a "new" 53, its almost like it was when i went to the new car show at dealerships , back in the day. It's almost like it's a new design, over and over and over. Exciting every time. Good luck. Looks like a great start.

[41 Frank]

Good luck with your new acquisition! It will be a challenge, but just work on things needing attention (and money) systematically. It was nice visiting with you in our booth at Colorado Springs.

[t walgamuth]

The 3/4 view of the 53 on the trailer is enough to make my heart skip. What a beautiful design!

[Spannerbird]

More pics!!

A very rusted boot!


Looks in tact. Can we say electrolysis bath?


Some dents in the crome, and there's a line/scratch where the wiper moved without the rubber.


Shroud shot.


Underside from the rear.


Interior really needs help.


The wheel, which I think is broken in a few places in the centre.


Nasty looking top. At least it has the steel bows.


Nice view from the rear window.


MMmm. Beach cancer!

[Spannerbird]

Not sure how to get the pitting, or rather barnicleising out of this, but that's one of the reasons I'm here!


Yep. I need a new window.


At some point I'll also need a new exhaust.


So they used red primer under the blue.. I thought it was rust before I saw the car in person (whew!!)


Hmm, new or replate. This looks like it will fit as the old one. The shiny one is for a late 50s early 60s from what I was told.



The front grill in two pieces, it has some other cracks/breaks in it, wondering if it's salvageable, but from the price a firm in Houston wants for a set, I'm sure I can have it repaired for less than $450

[Spannerbird]

StudeRich, thanks for the info!

I'll definitely connect the car to a fuel can before connecting to the tank. I'll also drop the tank to see what kind of nastiness it holds for me. I've heard of several chemicals and some acid washes I can put in it to eat away at most of that nastiness. I'm also going to find out how much it will cost to have keys made for it. I'll probably simply remove the ignition, and then glove box, or boot lock to have them rekeyed.

T walgamuth, flashback. Cheers mates! I'm sure Stude is happy to hear that, if Stude has ears (as am I.)

Frank.. It was great seeing you in the Springs as well! Now you don't think I'm a lying pile of horse bollocks or that I was buying random car parts for a car which I didn't own (simply didn't possess.)

I also made a price list of most of the parts I'll initially need such as rubber, glass, and other things. It comes out to be similar a single payment on say a new Ford Explorer.

[Pat Dilling]

Looks like a very nice start. At least some of the rust you are pointing out appears to be mostly on the surface, but still solid underneath. You mentioned it kinda smells. Might be a good idea to remove all the interior pieces and clear out any rodent or insect nests that these old cars often collect. Rubber gloves while doing this are a good idea. For your gas tank, check with local radiator shops, they sometimes will soak and clean them in their tanks for you and then coat the inside. Then paint on the outside makes them like new inside and out. Was nice to meet you and see your enthusiasm in Colorado Springs. You have a lot work ahead, just tackle it like you would eating an elephant, one bite at a time. And enjoy!

[Flashback]

I have a several parts I have kept that I no longer plan to hold onto. I have a good 6-volt gen and a nos delco volt reg. Some nos delco rotors. A rebuilt fuel pump. A lot of good used items too that are the original. I am kidding myself to think I will ever go back to original with mine.(Too Old) I also sent you a PM

[mmagic]

Hey neighbor...
Looks like a new car compared to the Speedster I started with and am in the middle of restore on.

I may have some 6 volt parts as I'm contemplating dropping the 23K '63 Lark motor/Trans in the Speedster freeing up some of the Speedster 6 volt parts. First thing set up the electrolysis barrel and pickup a COSCO size supply of zip lock bags. As you pull anything bag & mark bolts and small parts and throw them in a plastic tub.

We'll talk.

[studefan]

Not positive but I think that shiny rear bumper piece in post #9 is for a Lark, not your 53.

[t walgamuth]

Looks like a good solid starting point....not much rust through just surface.