Enthusiastic Studebaker owner

[52-fan]

My brother and I got a call tonight from a young man south of Little Rock who has just gotten a 55 C body Champion with a 53 front cap from a friend. He is all excited about making it into a Chevy powered street cruiser. He had lots of questions and I referred him to the forum for advice. His name is Tom and I hope he joins SDC and our chapter.


1952 Champion Starlight, 1962 Daytona, both w/overdrive.Searcy,Arkansas
"I may be lazy, but I'm not shiftless."

[glassfrog]

What about talking him into a Studebaker V8? I purchased a 55 President coupe with a Dodge 318 znd am in the process of putting back a 1963 Stude 259 V8. It would be so clean and no mounting problems. He may have to freshen up the Stude V8 but even the Lark 259 has about 180 HP. I should have my engine in this week after new rings are installed.

JC

[52-fan]

I haven't even met him face to face. He is coming from a hot rod background and knows little about Studebakers. I was hoping he could get on the forum and get some good advice. The car sounds like it may be rough, but he will avoid lots of mistakes regardless of how he goes if he listens to the guys here who have done this before.
Personally, I just want another enthusiastic young person in the club. We can educate him to the good points of our cars later.


1952 Champion Starlight, 1962 Daytona, both w/overdrive.Searcy,Arkansas
"I may be lazy, but I'm not shiftless."

[jimmijim8]

"You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink" jimmijim

[raprice]

For the life of me, I can't understand the knee-jerk attitude of some folks who automatically install Chevy engines in everything from Fords to Studebakers. What's the matter with Studebaker V-8s?
Forgive me, I just prefer cars to remain original, or utilize engines from the original manufacturer.
Thanks for letting me vent.
Rog

'59 Lark VI Regal Hardtop
Smithtown,NY

[Jack]

Easy answer to the sbc. CHEAP PARTS.

[glassfrog]

The Studebaker V8 will make the car more original and 259's and 289's are still plentiful. Imagine everything fits!

JC

[52-fan]

This discussion comes up a lot. Most people read the magazines and watch the TV shows to see what works. The TV shows especially are using crate engines and the like that are provided by the manufacturers. The average person doesn't have a clue about Studebaker or any other engine built years ago. The same could be said for people who automatically think they need huge disk brakes and/or air bags to enjoy their car.
The main thing I tried to do when I talked with this fellow was not discourage him. If he gets Turning Wheels and checks out the forum he will learn how much fun Studebakers can be in any form.


1952 Champion Starlight, 1962 Daytona, both w/overdrive.Searcy,Arkansas
"I may be lazy, but I'm not shiftless."

[LARK59]

If its not a pristine original , have at it! todays drivetrains and brakes and suspension are far superior! they make great horsepower !

my personal 54 Coupe is getting a big block Chevy and as big brakes as I can so I can run Bonneville and Maxton mile

54 coupe future Bonneville car 200 mph
63 Lark Custom 2D R1 4speed 1of1 bench seat
CUSTOM R1
51 2r11 truck 289 4 2bbl carbs 5 speed
59 Chassis Research dragster 347 Pontiac powered

[52-fan]

He is planning to use a 283 which is definitely an old school sort of swap. He wants a street cruiser and not a race car. He told me that some one apparently was trying to put suspended pedals in the car and had welded up the original holes. He wants to use the floor pedals. It is not pristine at all having sat outside for several years.


1952 Champion Starlight, 1962 Daytona, both w/overdrive.Searcy,Arkansas
"I may be lazy, but I'm not shiftless."

[bridgegaurd]

quote:Originally posted by 52-fan

I haven't even met him face to face. He is coming from a hot rod background and knows little about Studebakers. I was hoping he could get on the forum and get some good advice. The car sounds like it may be rough, but he will avoid lots of mistakes regardless of how he goes if he listens to the guys here who have done this before.
Personally, I just want another enthusiastic young person in the club. We can educate him to the good points of our cars later.


1952 Champion Starlight, 1962 Daytona, both w/overdrive.Searcy,Arkansas
"I may be lazy, but I'm not shiftless."

I for one totaly agree with you, if he wants to put a ****el in it, what should it matter to us. His choice, nothing wrong with a SBC, cheap, easy to find build and install. When i was a teen it was Cadallac that was replacing the stock engines.

Like you i glad to see he's young, he's interested, and he owns a stude. More care should be expended to keep himm in the fold that worrying about his choices with his car. Put the hand out. Replacemenst are needed as us oldies but goodies fade away.

[Swifster]

Just as easy to put a SBC as it is to put a Stude motor in that car. And the engine parts are cheaper.

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Tom - Mulberry, FL

1964 Studebaker Daytona - 289 4V, 4-Speed (Cost To Date: $2125.60)

[barnlark]

They could use this thread for Ground Hog Day Part 2. [|)]

52-fan, your initial intent is admirable. I hope this new '55 owner joins the SDC and is welcomed into your chapter. Good to have excited young owners in the occasional fray.

[52-fan]

I still have not heard anything else from him. He may be lurking and just soaking it all in. I plan to send him some literature and info on our chapter meetings.


1952 Champion Starlight, 1962 Daytona, both w/overdrive.Searcy,Arkansas
"I may be lazy, but I'm not shiftless."