Stude Chassis

[jrlemke]

Just found an ad in "Rod and Custom" for rolling Studebaker Chassis '53-'61. J.W. Rod Garage, 948 W. Silver Beach Rd. Belgium, WI. 53004. www.jwrodgarage.com. ph. 888-414-8787. I'm not connected in any way, just passing on information. -Jim

[DEEPNHOCK]

Looks like an M2 modified frame.
$4900

Just found an ad in "Rod and Custom" for rolling Studebaker Chassis '53-'61. J.W. Rod Garage, 948 W. Silver Beach Rd. Belgium, WI. 53004. www.jwrodgarage.com. ph. 888-414-8787. I'm not connected in any way, just passing on information. -Jim

[sweetolbob]

While that frame is substantially less expensive that an Art Morrision unit, I'd sure like it to look more like the Chebby or Mopar unit above for the same price with all the extra bracing.

Bob

[Pat Dilling]

Actually that is just a bare frame, by the time you outfit it with front and rear suspension plus a rear end, I believe you are going to be in the same ball park as the Art Morrison units. In any case I think it is great that Studebakers are popular enough for these providers to be offering products for us. Fatman Fabrications is another that offers a matching front stub for Studebakers.

[scott.rodgers]

It's my understanding that the Rod Garage unit is easier to install than the Morrison unit - it requires less fabbing and it has all the proper mounts. Has anyone on the forum used one of these Rod Garage frames?

[scott.rodgers]

Also, what is so different about the GT Hawks that makes this frame unusable for them?

[hausdok]

Also, what is so different about the GT Hawks that makes this frame unusable for them?

Length of wheelbase. The Hawk wheelbase is about four inches longer.

[prez55]

Mike Where is the 4 inches. I have managed to put GT frames under 2 53 hardtops and only had to do some outrigger changes. David

[StudeDave57]

Mike Where is the 4 inches. I have managed to put GT frames under 2 53 hardtops and only had to do some outrigger changes. David

That's because a '53 hardtop is the same wheelbase as a GT.
Wagons and most sedans would be a different story...

Which brings me to this- what wheelbase would be 'standard' for a car between '53 and '61?
I know a lot about Studebakers, but I don't understand what that might mean.
Unless of couse they are only talking about C/K bodied cars.

[scott.rodgers]

My assumption is that these frames are only for C/K's - I first heard about them in a forum discussion as being a better alternative for C/K's than the Morrison frames. However, this makes the "standard wheelbase" designation in the ad confusing.

[Mike Van Veghten]

AND offer something more thAn the Pinto...oh...sorry...I mean the Mustang II front suspension.
At least Morrison offeres the C4 or 5 Vette and other suspension parts.

Not putting these guys down, I haven't seen their work up front and personal, but from the work I have seen (and have), at/from Morrison, I'd be getting one from them, even if it took a little more work.
As Bob said, the Rod Garage frame looks to be missing some body mounts, along with a fair amount of rail support...more like the 55-57 frame shown..!

Mike

[hausdok]

Mike Where is the 4 inches. I have managed to put GT frames under 2 53 hardtops and only had to do some outrigger changes. David

If my references are correct, in 1953 the Champion and Commander models had 116.5 inch wheelbases but the Commander Regal has a 120.5 inch wheelbase. In 1954 the only models with the longer wheelbase were the Commander Regal and the Land Cruiser. In 1955 it was the President and the State. In 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961 it was the Hawks but all other models in 57 and 58 were 116.5-inches and 59 to 61 were either 108.5 or 113 inches.

They don't say that this is a long-wheelbase chassis. Art Morrison calls his chassis built for a Hawk a long-wheelbase chassis. Most models made from 53 to 58 are 116.5 and only a few from 59 to 61 are 120.5 so I suspect that when they call it a standard wheelbase they are referring to the shorter wheelbase.

It's an easy question to answer. Just give 'em a call.

[Pat Dilling]

All of the C/K models from 1953 to 1964 are on a 120.5 inch wheel base and the frames can be interchanged. Some may require some adjustments as prez55 said.

[warrlaw1]

What Pat said. There were were C/K Commanders and Champions with the longer wheelbase and Sedan type Commanders and Champions with the shorter wheelbase.