Yard art delivered and installed

[tomlewis]

For those of you who saw my previous post about looking for a '50 or '51 Studebaker that I might use as a decoration and landmark, here is the result of my search. I put it off to the side of the house in what my wife and I call the pasture. When I gather the headlight buckets and rims, grilles, and a bullet I'll put the front end together to make a better display

All of us have certain things in our lives that make us smile when seen. I can tell that this old wreck will be like that for me. I wish that I could be in the car with some of the folks driving by when they see it the first time. I am sitting in my shop building as I type his. There is a road that "T's" into the one I live on just to the west. Normally drivers accelerate steadily after the stop when they turn my way. Today I can hear a lot of them slowing down and one car actually came to a complete stop. What fun.

Tom

[BobWaitz]

Cool! Where did you find it?

[57pack]

I like that! I’d wire up some lights for a night time display. Maybe some leds installed in parking lights and tail lights.
I couldn’t get away with that in my yard. The local constabulary would be around in no time!

[r1lark]

Tom, I hope that the front end of that bulletnose doesn't disappear one night..............and be seen on a rat rod at the next cruise-in!

[rockne10]

Sit a skeleton or two inside!

[studeclunker]

Sit a skeleton or two inside!

Oh yeah... and with an LED light wired in the dome light that comes on after dark. The reaction should be precious!

[Cowtown Commander]

Tom here's a story about one of Barry Hackney's neighbors in the exclusive River Oaks neighborhood of Houston. Having a restored Sherman Tank in front of your mansion makes it stand out from the rest of the multimillion dollar mansions and gives you a great way to deal with Houstons traffic.

HOUSTON - In the heart of River Oaks, neighbors are coming face to face with history without ever leaving the neighborhood.

"It's great for America," said homeowner Ken Douglas.

Attorney Tony Buzbee bought a fully functional World War II tank overseas last year for $600,000. Now he's temporarily parked it outside his multi-million dollar home in River Oaks.

"Took a year to get here but now it's on River Oaks Boulevard," said Buzbee. "This particular tank landed at Normandy. It liberated Paris and ultimately went all the way to Berlin. There's a lot of history here."

But now the River Oaks Property Owners group isn't happy about it.

"It's not violating any ordinance, but for some people it makes the homeowners association uncomfortable," said Buzbee.

They sent Buzbee a letter saying the tank "impedes traffic", causes a "safety issue" and is causing "serious concerns for neighbors".

"If you're offended just lighten up, my goodness it isn't hurting anyone," said Buzbee.

But finding concerned neighbors wasn't easy. Everyone we spoke to loves it.

"I wish it was permanent," said Douglas. "I think it's an asset and I think if you watch the cars come up and slow down, you say to yourself, 'wow, that's America.'"

Buzbee says he's not losing too much sleep over that HOA letter. For now though, he's keeping his new tank right where it is

[t walgamuth]

I'd like it out front. It would slow people down without being an actual (ugh!) speed bump. It'd have to be driven every ten days though to be legal.

[tomlewis]

I like the skeleton idea. Maybe have one arm hanging out with one bony hand clutching a bottle of Yuengling.

There is no Homeowners Association here. No zoning, no covenants in the deed except for one that prohibited me from drilling for oil or gas in the first ten years of ownership. Fine by me. I don't want any wells actually on the property. Beyond the tree line where I can't see, hear, or smell them would be fine. I'd still get royalties

It actually is out front about 100 feet from the road, just not directly in front of the house.

I've found a pair of grilles and headlight rims and buckets (thanks Matt). Who has a rusty, crusty, not-good-enough-for-for-a-wall-hanger bullet they want to get rid of?

Even before Paul posted I thought I might run a little chain around the bullet. That's the part most likely to take a walk.

Tom

[rockne10]

Who has a rusty, crusty, not-good-enough-for-for-a-wall-hanger bullet they want to get rid of?

Actually, Tom; I just might be your huckleberry. I refurbed my '51 over a quarter century ago and I know I have all three pieces of the original nose in a box in the basement (perhaps several boxes). On the verge of being un-chromable; perhaps your perfect addition. Let me dig them out and I'll send a photo.

[tomlewis]

Thanks Brad. I went back to look at my posts and realized that I never said what year this relic is. I talked to Matt Burnette on the phone and told him it was a '50, but now realize that I didn't specify it here.

Is there a difference in the size or mounting of the '50 and '51 bullets? I know the construction is different and that the '51 has the plastic center, but I doubt if anyone driving down my road would be able to glance at it and say "Oh, look at that. That guy put a '51 bullet on a '50"

Tom

[Guido]

Tom here's a story about one of Barry Hackney's neighbors in the exclusive River Oaks neighborhood of Houston. Having a restored Sherman Tank in front of your mansion makes it stand out from the rest of the multimillion dollar mansions and gives you a great way to deal with Houstons traffic.

HOUSTON - In the heart of River Oaks, neighbors are coming face to face with history without ever leaving the neighborhood.

"It's great for America," said homeowner Ken Douglas.

Attorney Tony Buzbee bought a fully functional World War II tank overseas last year for $600,000. Now he's temporarily parked it outside his multi-million dollar home in River Oaks.

"Took a year to get here but now it's on River Oaks Boulevard," said Buzbee. "This particular tank landed at Normandy. It liberated Paris and ultimately went all the way to Berlin. There's a lot of history here."

But now the River Oaks Property Owners group isn't happy about it.

"It's not violating any ordinance, but for some people it makes the homeowners association uncomfortable," said Buzbee.

They sent Buzbee a letter saying the tank "impedes traffic", causes a "safety issue" and is causing "serious concerns for neighbors".

"If you're offended just lighten up, my goodness it isn't hurting anyone," said Buzbee.

But finding concerned neighbors wasn't easy. Everyone we spoke to loves it.

"I wish it was permanent," said Douglas. "I think it's an asset and I think if you watch the cars come up and slow down, you say to yourself, 'wow, that's America.'"

Buzbee says he's not losing too much sleep over that HOA letter. For now though, he's keeping his new tank right where it is

Wasn't Tony Buzbee the guy who brought the inebriated date back to his house who destroyed his Andy Warhol artwork?

[Buzzard]

Too cool Tom and I heartily agree that you simply must have a skeleton or two! Good on ya.
Bill

[lelshaddai]

My 51 has a 50 bullet on it. Fits fine, just need a little mounting modifications. And it comes with this nifty extra gas tank
Jim

[Hallabutt]

Tom you're amazing, keep up the go work!-Bill