Wish we could get new steel Studebaker bodies

[lschuc]

If only we could get new bodies and panels for our Studebakers!!

1940 Ford Coupe re-created for SEMA

Reproduction shell aimed at hot rodders

The 1940 Ford Coupe will join Ford's group of officially licensed steel-reproduction car bodies. It's available for ordering now, along with the 1965-1970 Mustang.
....Read the rest from AutoWeek Magazine here: http://www.autoweek.com/article/20121026/SEMA/121029893

[swvalcon]

Did you see the price. How would you like to pay $14,000 for a stude body shell.

[klifton1]

Almost a shame to put paint on it.
Klif

[starliner62]

That is pretty cool, but like the Mustang and Camaro bodies, you better have a donor car for parts you need or it will be really expensive!!!

A new Stude body shell would be great, even at that price.

[plwindish]

Lew, are you going to put in an order for a 63 Lark convertible??

[1962larksedan]

I could see repop 1950's Starlite coupes and maybe other C/K bodies...............

[DEEPNHOCK]

A couple years ago, I parked in the manufacturers midway right next to the Year One booth display.
They had their 'brand new' Camaro on display.
It was completely new.
Only a quarter million plus.....

[Chris_Dresbach]

I could see repop 1950's Starlite coupes and maybe other C/K bodies...............

Here is why we (speaking for SI) have not reproduced just the fenders for C/K bodies.... A front fender for a C/K (either L or R) requires three different stamping dies to make. ONE of those dies costs roughly $10,000; and I'm sure prices have gone up since the last time I looked at dies. To produce both the left and right front fenders, that would be $60,000 plus the cost of using a stamping press and the cost of raw sheet metal plus the bonderite and primer process. I would love to see that body style reproduced, but unfortunately it would just be expensive; and equally sad to say there just is not a call for it like there is for a model A or T-bucket. I'll stay posative though, NEVER SAY NEVER!! Those parts could be made someday...

[1962larksedan]

Here is why we (speaking for SI) have not reproduced just the fenders for C/K bodies.... A front fender for a C/K (either L or R) requires three different stamping dies to make. ONE of those dies costs roughly $10,000; and I'm sure prices have gone up since the last time I looked at dies. To produce both the left and right front fenders, that would be $60,000 plus the cost of using a stamping press and the cost of raw sheet metal plus the bonderite and primer process. I would love to see that body style reproduced, but unfortunately it would just be expensive; and equally sad to say there just is not a call for it like there is for a model A or T-bucket. I'll stay posative though, NEVER SAY NEVER!! Those parts could be made someday...

With some of the 3-D stuff done via computer: I have a strong premonition that we'll see very soon repop parts done by simply scanning in an existing fender, etc. and a replica pressed with some sort of 'plasma' force.............

[JimC]

If I ever make millions it'll be my contribution to Studedom.

[52-fan]

I'm waiting for a Star Trek style replicator. Just punch the button and the atoms form into what you need. New 52 upper grille bar? No Problem!

[JEWELL]

What did happen to the Studebaker Corporation's original factory dies?.

[DEEPNHOCK]

(IIRC) The stamping machines were sold, the dies were scrapped.

What did happen to the Studebaker Corporation's original factory dies?.

[hausdok]

Huh,

I hadn't realized this thread was here when I asked on the Ford Coupe thread whether anyone has any idea what it costs these days, here in the USA, to have a fender laser scanned and then a set of stamping dies made by CNC equipment?

Obviously, if you are a stamper you are only interested in having dies made for stuff that's popular because you have to shoulder the up-front cost of the dies and it takes a while to get that investment back. Once the dies are made and paid for they are just a tool sitting on the shelf until it's needed. No?

What if the SDC were to ask for donations to get dies made? Talk to stampers and see what kind of deal can be had and then do a survey of members to find out what the most-desired and hardest to obtain sheetmetal is. Then solicite donations from membership. Set up a permanent donation fund, like the one for the museum.

When local chapters do meets they can set up a donations box to collect more funds exclusively toward the die project and then can send the collected donations into SDC.

You never know, SDC might collect enough in no time to get first one, and then another, fender or quarter panel done; and, if the donation process stays in place, eventually have dies made for all of the most wanted stuff.

Just an idea.

[JimC]

You know, I hate to even think of doing it to our wonderful American cars, but I'd bet you could probably find a factory someplace in Asia who could reproduce a whole freight container full of fenders, doors, and other parts for less than the cost of buying just the dies here.