'53 Stude Design Studies

[Dick Steinkamp]

The latest (July) issue of Rod and Custom has two '53 Stude design studies by Eric Brockmeyer. The first is a mild custom designed for Art Morrison's wife. Nate...check out the wheel treatment and stripe. Might be right for your '55.

The second is one of the few radical custom '53's that I REALLY like. I hope someone builds it.

[JDP]

I could not find that on the web site yet, but this is a good Studebaker read :

http://rodandcustommagazine.com/featuredvehicles/54700/

Studebaker On The Net http://stude.com
64 R2 4 speed Challenger
63 R2 4 speed GT Hawk
63 Avanti
54 3R Pickup

[DEEPNHOCK]

Here you go...
No time right now to fix the fold and staple marks
Jeff[8D]

quote:Originally posted by Dick Steinkamp

The latest (July) issue of Rod and Custom has two '53 Stude design studies by Eric Brockmeyer. The first is a mild custom designed for Art Morrison's wife. Nate...check out the wheel treatment and stripe. Might be right for your '55.
The second is one of the few radical custom '53's that I REALLY like. I hope someone builds it.

[JDP]

Red wheels and white walls, be still my heart. N8 laughts at me everytime I suggest them. Back in the day, that was the hot ticket.

Studebaker On The Net http://stude.com
64 R2 4 speed Challenger
63 R2 4 speed GT Hawk
63 Avanti
54 3R Pickup

[ddub]

I think that fastback syling has some possibilities, never seen that approach before.

Don Wilson
53 Commander Hardtop
64 Champ 1/2 ton
WA state

[PekkaP]

Three years ago I visited a quite well known Kustom & Rod talent Cole Foster in Salinas, Ca ( www.salinasboys.com) and among things we discussed -- after revealing my Studebaker addiction -- that one of his friends in So-Cal area had built a Kustom "Studecuda" somewhat similar to the fastback proposal. It was done via combining the rearwindow and part of the roofline etc. from a 1964-66 Barracuda and was put on a 53-54 Starliner. I have never seen the car but I understood that it may have been done in the 1980's already? Anyone seen this "Studecuda" -- I understood that it had some magazine presence as well when it was completed.
Anyway -- I like both of the R&C proposals!

Golden Hawk 1958
President State Coupe 1955
Lark Regal Convertible 1961
GT Hawk 62

[studegary]

I like the designs with two exceptions; 1) I think that the horizontal piece of stainless on the blue car conflicts with the lines of the car. 2) The wheels on the black car are too large for the car's proportions.

I don't like "rubber band" tires, especially on older cars. Like John/JDP, I remember and had cars with red wheels and wide whitewall tires.

Gary L.
1954 Commander Starliner (restomod)
1959 DeLuxe pickup (restomod)

[Dick Steinkamp]

quote:Originally posted by studegary

I like the designs with two exceptions; 1) I think that the horizontal piece of stainless on the blue car conflicts with the lines of the car. 2) The wheels on the black car are too large for the car's proportions.

I don't like "rubber band" tires, especially on older cars. Like John/JDP, I remember and had cars with red wheels and wide whitewall tires.

Actually, it's not stainless...it's a "Tommy the Greek" style pin stripe. I think it's in keeping with the "theme" of the car, but might not be necessary.

I'm trying real hard to like the trend toward big wheels and rubber band tires...I'm not quite there yet , but I'm actually OK with them on this car.

BTW, the designer sees the black car with a Ferrari 3.6 liter 400 HP V8 with a paddle shifted 6 speed.

[N8N]

I like the fastback on the second car, very similar to what GM was doing in the late 40's although it works better on a lower body style like a Stude.

nate

--
55 Commander Starlight
62 Daytona hardtop

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

[Roscomacaw]

Geez, that blue coupe looks like mine! Maui blue and all! Like JP, I like the WWs and the red wheels. The factory wheels on my C3 trimmed coupe ( C3s didn't get the extra trim around the side windows) were dark blue with bottlecap covers.

The fastback's intriguing but I'd have to see it in the flesh to be sure.
Dick, those "Hot Wheels" wheels aren't in my opinion. They're just goofy-lookin'. Besides, who wants to see the brake drums and other underpinnings? Kiddie-time fad. About as "cool" as the phony, spinning wheelcovers! In fact, as much of a phenomenon as those spinning covers were[xx(], they already started to disappear around here! I had to wonder about wheel balance and the harmonics of those things anyway.[)]

Miscreant at large.

1957 Transtar 1/2ton
1960 Larkvertible V8
1958 Provincial wagon
1953 Commander coupe
1957 President 2-dr
1955 President State
1951 Champion Biz cpe
1963 Daytona project FS

[55s]

Many years ago, (in the 60s) there was a gentleman in Toronto that had constructed a good looking black fastback, keeping the fins and using a hudson like rear window. My recollection of the car is that it looked very similar to the pictures.

I last saw it about 15 years ago. The body looked to be still in good shape, the interior had just been redone, but I think the motor was going through a big change. It was not for sale at the time, but until I saw these pictures I had almost forgotten about it.

I think I'll start another project by trying to find it.

[ralt12]

When we started our '53, we got our chassis from Morrison. They liked it enough to do one up themselves, though it's a little irksome that it's exactly like ours, to the color (we're using BMW M3 Laguna Blue). Dry assembly , the final step before paint, is almost done. Our version is at http://nelson-motorsports.com/studebaker.htm


'53 Commander

[Dick Steinkamp]

quote:Originally posted by ralt12

When we started our '53, we got our chassis from Morrison. They liked it enough to do one up themselves, though it's a little irksome that it's exactly like ours, to the color (we're using BMW M3 Laguna Blue). Dry assembly , the final step before paint, is almost done. Our version is at http://nelson-motorsports.com/studebaker.htm


'53 Commander

Very nice! [] Great documentation too. Can't wait to see it in paint. Keep us informed of progress.

[JBOYLE]

Great designs...(not too crazy about the huge wheels...I'd rather spend my money somewhere else) and love the fastback...reminds me of the early 70's "Boattail" Riveria.

63 Avanti R1 2788
1914 Stutz Bearcat
(George Barris replica)

Washington State

[imported_n/a]

I wonder what happens when you actually try and drive a car that has been lowered so much? I wouldn't want to drive it very far. Since the road surfaces aren't usually perfect, I would be concerned that the chassis would be contacting the pavement at times, and doing damage. Also, it has got to have a negative effect upon ride, handling, turning radius, and tire and rim life, especially with those huge alloy rims with tires having such a narrow sidewall. Sidewalls are what really absorb the "bumps". Road shocks and the resulting body/frame flex might cause cracks and loosening of the body filler used extensively in restyling the car. Body panel clearance between the tires and the roadway would be compromised, too. "If a Little is Good, More Is Better, and Too Much Is Just Right!"--anonymous car guy.