New Mexico coupe

[JDP]

Here's the before pix of the coupe I bought from NM on ebay. The car is way nicer than I expected, not a hint of rust, fresh paint, new weather stripping, nice interior. I need to do the brakes, fix the overdrive, and detail.

http://www.stude.com/NM/

Studebaker On The Net http://stude.com
Studebaker News Group

http://groups.google.com/group/alt.autos.studebaker

64 Daytona HT
64 R2 4 speed Challenger
63 R2 4 speed GT Black
63 R2 4 speed GT White
63 GT Hawk
63 Avanti
62 Daytona HT
53 Coupe

[N8N]

Dear JP,

you suck.

sincerely,

n.

PS - what's the deal with the little Stude crests on the door panels? They're cute, but I've never seen those on a stock Stude.

PPS - do the temp. gauge and fuel gauge work? I happen to have picked up a gauge cluster from Bob for the OP gauge for my car, so if the answer is "no" I may be able to hook you up. It's in a box either in my car or on your garage floor next to all the parts of my engine. You'll need two "runtz" units if they are not already there.

PPPS - have you figured out what the deal is with the '55 dash and paint break trim yet? (I think that trim you pointed to in the one pic is '55 only, and only for low trim levels without the side "butterknife" trim and 2-tone paint) Are you lucky enough that it has '55 beltline trim (stainless) too?

--
55 Commander Starlight
62 Daytona hardtop

http://home.comcast.net/~njnagel

[N8N]

just thought of something, if whoever mixed and matched parts from various cars to create that thing was thinking correctly, you might want to look at that steering box; it might just be a Saginaw manual box which would be really good news for driveability.

nate

--
55 Commander Starlight
62 Daytona hardtop

http://home.comcast.net/~njnagel

[JDP]

It appears it might be a Saginaw, want manual steering ?

Studebaker On The Net http://stude.com
Studebaker News Group

http://groups.google.com/group/alt.autos.studebaker

64 Daytona HT
64 R2 4 speed Challenger
63 R2 4 speed GT Black
63 R2 4 speed GT White
63 GT Hawk
63 Avanti
62 Daytona HT
53 Coupe

[N8N]

If it has the big adjuster nut at the bottom the same size as the body of the box, it's a Saginaw (might also be able to see a Saginaw "S" logo cast into it by looking under the LF fender, if it's not all greasy) and the answer to your question is "yes, but not badly enough to rip all that stuff out that I just put in."

n

--
55 Commander Starlight
62 Daytona hardtop

http://home.comcast.net/~njnagel

[raprice]

Beautiful car and beautiful color.
Best of luck.
Rog

[ceecab]

<<(I think that trim you pointed to in the one pic is '55 only, and only for low trim levels without the side "butterknife" trim and 2-tone paint)>>

no-- that trim was on early '55s- any trim level- and on low level late'55's and '56s too
Late regals have the wide diagonal stainless strip from butterknife to top quarter mouldings

And until last year mine had both lol

Makes one wonder why it and the guage cluster are on that particular car

[JDP]

The car is a bit of a mutt. I thought it was a 53 with some 55 bits, when it's a 55 with all the 53 trim and front clip. Back in the early 70's when the V8 was installed and a P.O went to the MVA to correct the title, they insisted it be titled as a 53 Commander. The NM title has the 55 vin, and the 55 body tag, but insists it's now a 53 Commander as far as they are concerned.
He said it was something to do with I.D.'ing the car by the police. If they were looking for a 53 Studebaker in a hit and run for example, they'd miss this car if it was listed as a 55. The MD MVA is not interested in changing the year, the title maches the VIN and that's all they care about. The good news is the 55 has a better frame, the added crossmember and bigger brakes. BTW, the frames "secret" serial number matches the one on the door post.


Studebaker On The Net http://stude.com
Studebaker News Group

http://groups.google.com/group/alt.autos.studebaker

64 Daytona HT
64 R2 4 speed Challenger
63 R2 4 speed GT Black
63 R2 4 speed GT White
63 GT Hawk
63 Avanti
62 Daytona HT
53 Coupe