I dont know if I could be ANY more excited, at least today (tommorrow is another story, a day closer). The 1951 Commander Desert Explorer (aka Sand Car), which has resided in the Studebaker Proving Ground Prototype Graveyard for around 60 years is about to have it's day.
With Many, Many thanks VERY MUCH to Mike Lenyo, as well as an ever growing group of dedicated SDC members, and the folks at Bosch, the Desert Explorer Sand Car prototype is set to be removed from the woods and sent to be fully restored. As planned, it will eventually return to be on long term display at the Studebaker National Museum, joining the woody and other cars also rescued from the graveyard. It is planned to be displayed as a "joint effort" project of the SDC chapters involved with the Rescue and Restoration, as well at the contributions of Bosch, Mad Max Cars (the company doing the restoration), and probably many more folks along the way.
As many of you may know, if you are fimilar with the Graveyard, there is not a whole lot left of the original Sand Car (see below photos). So, it will require a fairly complete "Parts Donor" car to make the rebuild possible.
We have a one possibility, within about 25 miles of the Sand Car's original location, but there are 2 major problems to consider with it, so we are looking for alternitives:
#1) it is a 52 and the sand car is a 51. A restoration like this should be done as accurately as possible, making a 51 Commander a much more suitable choice.
#2) The Sand Car is coming to the shop in the Seattle/Tacoma area to be rebuilt. So although the 52 in Michigan can be had very reasonably, the shipping costs would make it far less attractive, especially if a 51 Commander can be located here in the Pacific Northwest.
So this is the call out to anyone and everyone... 1951 Commander needed, as complete as possible, in the NW somewhere (ideally in the Seattle/Tacoma Metro area). As this is a philenthropic endevor, We are certianly open to donations, but we also understand nothing in this world is truly free so a "Reasonable Deal" is what we have our sights set on.
As the project progresses, we will also need all the input, advice, encouragement and inspiration we can possibly get. Particularly from the ever informed and friendly folks here in the SDC & on the Forum. I will also try to personally make sure the build gets covered here in the forum, for all to enjoy.
Before, and a vision of "After":
55 Commander
XA Bat (The Roadwarrior)
KARR (Knightrider)
Eleanor (ORIGINAL Gone in 60 Seconds)
"Hero Car Ranch"; Seattle, Wa.
With Many, Many thanks VERY MUCH to Mike Lenyo, as well as an ever growing group of dedicated SDC members, and the folks at Bosch, the Desert Explorer Sand Car prototype is set to be removed from the woods and sent to be fully restored. As planned, it will eventually return to be on long term display at the Studebaker National Museum, joining the woody and other cars also rescued from the graveyard. It is planned to be displayed as a "joint effort" project of the SDC chapters involved with the Rescue and Restoration, as well at the contributions of Bosch, Mad Max Cars (the company doing the restoration), and probably many more folks along the way.
As many of you may know, if you are fimilar with the Graveyard, there is not a whole lot left of the original Sand Car (see below photos). So, it will require a fairly complete "Parts Donor" car to make the rebuild possible.
We have a one possibility, within about 25 miles of the Sand Car's original location, but there are 2 major problems to consider with it, so we are looking for alternitives:
#1) it is a 52 and the sand car is a 51. A restoration like this should be done as accurately as possible, making a 51 Commander a much more suitable choice.
#2) The Sand Car is coming to the shop in the Seattle/Tacoma area to be rebuilt. So although the 52 in Michigan can be had very reasonably, the shipping costs would make it far less attractive, especially if a 51 Commander can be located here in the Pacific Northwest.
So this is the call out to anyone and everyone... 1951 Commander needed, as complete as possible, in the NW somewhere (ideally in the Seattle/Tacoma Metro area). As this is a philenthropic endevor, We are certianly open to donations, but we also understand nothing in this world is truly free so a "Reasonable Deal" is what we have our sights set on.
As the project progresses, we will also need all the input, advice, encouragement and inspiration we can possibly get. Particularly from the ever informed and friendly folks here in the SDC & on the Forum. I will also try to personally make sure the build gets covered here in the forum, for all to enjoy.
Before, and a vision of "After":
55 Commander
XA Bat (The Roadwarrior)
KARR (Knightrider)
Eleanor (ORIGINAL Gone in 60 Seconds)
"Hero Car Ranch"; Seattle, Wa.
Wow, Dee; what an undertaking! Congratulations. When done, it will be a real magnet at any old-car meet; Studebaker or otherwise. 
BP
We've got to quit saying, 
Lark Parker
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