Body / Glass: 48 thru 52 front sheet metal.

[dean pearson]

Am I missing something here?

It seems odd to me that the front of my 52 hard top doesn't attach to the frame in any way.
Tell me I'm wrong. That's a fair amount of weight to have cantilevered off the cowl with no support.
It seems a bracket from the frame to the radiator support on each side would be a big plus. (?)

Looking at a 1950 shop manual there is something similar but I have 51 front fenders.

Something is simply getting lost in the translation here.

Dean.

[48skyliner]

Mine is a 48 Champion, not familiar with the other models, but if what you say is true, there are some pieces missing. I remember being surprised that the inner fenders were not bolted to the frame, but it was attached at the front.

[52-fan]

The front end of the fenders bolt to the radiator support and the radiator support bolts to the frame.

[dean pearson]

My frame is 52 hardtop and my fenders are 51 champion. The front of my car was dis assembled when I got it so it appears I need to find whatever gets me from the frame to the radiator support.
There's a good chance I have them but I don't know what they look like.
My wife bought me a 50 shop manual but they are different.

Can anyone post a picture of one?

Dean.

[dean pearson]

Here's what it looks like. The frame is roughly 2.5" lower than the radiator support.



Dean.

[starliner62]

I believe your frame has been trimmed at the front. It should be quite a bit longer for radiator support and bumper brackets.

[dean pearson]

I believe your frame has been trimmed at the front. It should be quite a bit longer for radiator support and bumper brackets.

Yep, your right but it still reaches the radiator support and it is still 2.5" lower. Not a factory condition so i realize I'm on my own here.
I just thought that a 51 would have a part that goes there and solves the problem.


Dean.

[unclemiltie]

The front of the frame being bent down makes me wonder if the car has been wrecked at some point. Are both sides bent down exactly the same? if so that would make an accident damage unlikely. I remember all 47-52 frames being rather flat in the front.

[dean pearson]

They are the same. It wasn't wrecked. The frame curves downward there slightly.

Dean.

[unclemiltie]

My memory (which sometimes is foggy) says that the 51 and 52 radiators and radiator supports interchanged. There is normally a stack of washers that goes between the top of the frame and the radiator support. I have radiators out of a 51 V8 and a 52 V8 and they both look exactly the same to me.

[dean pearson]

Thanks for the replies and good advise.
Milt I checked and the bolt holes in the bottom of the radiator support on both sides are about an inch inside the frame.
No big deal I can make a pair of brackets for it I was just hoping that there was a factory one I had overlooked.

Thanks again to all!

Dean.

[fpstude]

Dean, This photo to reinforce what Milt said about the washers. Stop by if you want to look over a couple '50 Studebakers. One complete, one in pieces.

[dean pearson]

That explains some things. Thanks!

Dean.

PS, I'll have to look up Carmichael Ca. To see where you are.
Lol 7 hours and 22 minutes from here!

[fpstude]

I apologize. I was mixed up between Murrieta and Rancho Murieta (45 minutes).

[dean pearson]

No apology necessary, I would really enjoy seeing your cars!

Dean.