1953 / 1954 Stude Coupe Roof

Any information as how to remove a roof on a 1953 / 54 coupe for replacement, please advise , Photo's would be a great help, Thanks

garnsej@sbcglobal.net

James Garnsey

[StudeRich]

I believe the factory recommended method would be to replace the body![:0]

StudeRich
Studebakers Northwest
Ferndale, WA

[StudeRich]

I believe the factory recommended method would be to replace the body![:0]

StudeRich
Studebakers Northwest
Ferndale, WA

[doug]

Street rodder, rod & custom type magazines have articles on cutting and chopping the roof. Lots of pictures and information. You can't use too many braces on the body to keep the shape correct. Have fun.

[doug]

Street rodder, rod & custom type magazines have articles on cutting and chopping the roof. Lots of pictures and information. You can't use too many braces on the body to keep the shape correct. Have fun.

[Hippie]

It can be done but that is something only an experienced body man should attempt.

Analog man in a digital world.

[Hippie]

It can be done but that is something only an experienced body man should attempt.

Analog man in a digital world.

[DEEPNHOCK]

I take it from your question James, that you either have serious metal damage, or rust issues with your roof section.
This would be a major repair to most Stude owners, and many would just find a suitable replacement body tub.
If you did find a suitable replacement, then cutting the old one off would not be impossible, but it would be tedious.
The most important thing would be to stabilize the body in a 'square' position so it can't move during the replacement process (with bracing welded in as mentioned here on other replies.
A good body shop with frame straightening equipment could do this for you, but at today's labor rates it will be quite expensive.
Without more information in your question post, you will be getting a variety of answers.
Try and ask a more specific question as to what you are starting with, and where you want to go with this project.
Jeff[8D]

quote:Originally posted by garnsej

Any information as how to remove a roof on a 1953 / 54 coupe for replacement, please advise , Photo's would be a great help, Thanks
James Garnsey

[DEEPNHOCK]

I take it from your question James, that you either have serious metal damage, or rust issues with your roof section.
This would be a major repair to most Stude owners, and many would just find a suitable replacement body tub.
If you did find a suitable replacement, then cutting the old one off would not be impossible, but it would be tedious.
The most important thing would be to stabilize the body in a 'square' position so it can't move during the replacement process (with bracing welded in as mentioned here on other replies.
A good body shop with frame straightening equipment could do this for you, but at today's labor rates it will be quite expensive.
Without more information in your question post, you will be getting a variety of answers.
Try and ask a more specific question as to what you are starting with, and where you want to go with this project.
Jeff[8D]

quote:Originally posted by garnsej

Any information as how to remove a roof on a 1953 / 54 coupe for replacement, please advise , Photo's would be a great help, Thanks
James Garnsey

[garnsej]

Thanks for the reply sounds like it not going to be an easy fix .

quote:Originally posted by DEEPNHOCK

I take it from your question James, that you either have serious metal damage, or rust issues with your roof section.
This would be a major repair to most Stude owners, and many would just find a suitable replacement body tub.
If you did find a suitable replacement, then cutting the old one off would not be impossible, but it would be tedious.
The most important thing would be to stabilize the body in a 'square' position so it can't move during the replacement process (with bracing welded in as mentioned here on other replies.
A good body shop with frame straightening equipment could do this for you, but at today's labor rates it will be quite expensive.
Without more information in your question post, you will be getting a variety of answers.
Try and ask a more specific question as to what you are starting with, and where you want to go with this project.
Jeff[8D]

quote:Originally posted by garnsej

Any information as how to remove a roof on a 1953 / 54 coupe for replacement, please advise , Photo's would be a great help, Thanks
James Garnsey

James Garnsey

[garnsej]

Thanks for the reply sounds like it not going to be an easy fix .

quote:Originally posted by DEEPNHOCK

I take it from your question James, that you either have serious metal damage, or rust issues with your roof section.
This would be a major repair to most Stude owners, and many would just find a suitable replacement body tub.
If you did find a suitable replacement, then cutting the old one off would not be impossible, but it would be tedious.
The most important thing would be to stabilize the body in a 'square' position so it can't move during the replacement process (with bracing welded in as mentioned here on other replies.
A good body shop with frame straightening equipment could do this for you, but at today's labor rates it will be quite expensive.
Without more information in your question post, you will be getting a variety of answers.
Try and ask a more specific question as to what you are starting with, and where you want to go with this project.
Jeff[8D]

quote:Originally posted by garnsej

Any information as how to remove a roof on a 1953 / 54 coupe for replacement, please advise , Photo's would be a great help, Thanks
James Garnsey

James Garnsey

[52 Ragtop]

James,
It's NOT that hard to do! Get all of the trim off including headliner and interior. Look around the edges for spot welds, first drill them out with an 1/8" drill bit, then buy a good spot weld drill bit, (might need 3 or 4) Most of the welds are pinch welds and will drill out easily. the hardest part will be the sean at the 1/4 panel. that you will have to melt out the body lead, and look for the seams. After the hail storm here in Indy last year, we must have put on a hundred roofs on the newer cars.

Jim

[52 Ragtop]

James,
It's NOT that hard to do! Get all of the trim off including headliner and interior. Look around the edges for spot welds, first drill them out with an 1/8" drill bit, then buy a good spot weld drill bit, (might need 3 or 4) Most of the welds are pinch welds and will drill out easily. the hardest part will be the sean at the 1/4 panel. that you will have to melt out the body lead, and look for the seams. After the hail storm here in Indy last year, we must have put on a hundred roofs on the newer cars.

Jim

[Roscomacaw]

Makes me wince to think about the TWO coupe roofs I sent to scrap metal awhile back. Hated to do it, but since they're the last thing to rust out, I decided they'd never find a use in my lifetime.[V]

Miscreant adrift in
the BerStuda Triangle


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

[Roscomacaw]

Makes me wince to think about the TWO coupe roofs I sent to scrap metal awhile back. Hated to do it, but since they're the last thing to rust out, I decided they'd never find a use in my lifetime.[V]

Miscreant adrift in
the BerStuda Triangle


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