Purist?

[sweetolbob]

Well!!!

If different is what you want, I don't think we have one powered like this on the forum.



Bob

[stall]

All my present cars are original but I've had customs, hot-rods and a bunch of English Sports cars in my checkered past. I liked them all and continue to enjoy everyones mechanical marvels. One of my favorite shows is the 7000 car, hot-rod show at the Syracuse Nationals. I take my original Studebaker and have a great time. It's all good.

I do have to say though that when I attend a Corvette NCRS show there is an undercurrent of snobbery; If its not perfect original they arent shy about telling you its Junk. Ilove my 63 Roadster but might have to get rid of it just because of that attitude.

Welcome, you'll like the guys and Gals on this forum

[paintim613]

I asked this same question about four years ago when I joined SDC and started on the forum. Several people, especially Dick Steinkamp, encouraged me to not feel that our custom would not be accepted. Of course, the custom work had been done back in the 50's, so we had nothing to do with the changes. Just having a Studebaker opens up a world of opportunities to educate people about this great brand of cars. The fact that it is an orphan makes it even more interesting and unique. Enjoy your experience!

[dnevin]

I like original cars. But since I plan on driving my car a lot (almost daily, if it turns out like I expect) I made some concessions for safety--mainly updated brakes using the Turner kit. My car is also a very plain model, and some things, like the rubber mats, were impossible to find.

So I decided to modify the car--keeping it as much Studebaker as possible. And, well, coming on here is dangerous because you get LOTS of ideas on things that can be done!

I'm new to Studebakers, but have received nothing but support from my local club and from members of this forum. I wouldn't worry about the lack of response--perhaps what you suggested hadn't been done by anyone here, so the lack of response was simply people not willing to guess? I know when I ask technical questions here, I typically get responses only from those who have done the procedure before or are familiar enough with the mechanics of the issue.

[Johnnywiffer]

All the non-stock items I'm going to mention here were done to my care prior to my purchase, so if you're a strict purist, you'll have to blame someone else.

Two owners back, my '54 Land Cruiser was changed to 12v but still using a generator so, I suppose, it would look more '54-ish. Same with the engine. It was changed to a Cruiser's 289 but the top was still '54-ish, with black 4-bolt valve covers, the original '54 intake, bent carb and oil-bath air cleaner. (I've been told that possibly the '54 heads were also used.) The automatic trans was changed to Flight-O-Matic instead of Studebaker Automatic Drive and a 1-piece drive-shaft was installed. This required cutting the middle body re-inforcement.

The disconnected original 6v radio is still in the dash and a 12v AM/FM in the globe box uses an original-size (though not original) speaker. Two non-Studebaker front-seat belts were installed.

This same owner also added a genuine Studebaker (Novi) air conditioner, mounted in the trunk. These were actually available to be retro-fitted to '54s but since the car was now 12v, a '56 was used, along with a rotary compressor and a newer style condenser.

So even though the car looks pretty stock, it is certainly a different car from the 'ordinary'.




I like everything except the rear-mounted AC unit. It weighs so much that without helper springs, I can't put my tool box and luggage in the trunk and 2 average weight friends in the back seat without the rear U-joint hitting the body on occasion. I think the 'purity' of using that unit is over rated. I have wondered if the original retro-fit kits included different rear springs.

My point to all this is: The guy who did all this to my '54 did almost EXACTLY what I would have done, if I'd had the money, time and access to his tools. Obviously, neither he is, nor I am, a purist, although it appears HE tried to keep the car LOOKING as original as possible.

I would have done the same.

John

[sals54]

My purist view can be seen below in the picture of my car.

[warrlaw1]

Going to the rustproofing place, tomorrow. Studebaker never did inner fenders or huge rustproofing so although my car is matching numbers and stock, its purity ended when I decided it needed to be driven. Put one on the road and when criticized, ask the critics how many they saved!

[Pat Dilling]

My purist view can be seen below in the picture of my car.

Yeah Mine too :-0



This one has just about every imaginable part modified and is powered by a late model GM EFI motor, my next project is going to have Studebaker power, though it will not stay original. So some folks have split personalities.

Pat

[kmac530]

I think this has been a great cross section of ideas and a cool interchange. This is exactly what I was hoping for when I started this thread. Input.

My truck will be as much Studebake as possible, but when financially inprudent to do so it will be altered. I still it to be as period correct as possible. The biggest appearance mod I will do is probably drop it down just a bit to give it a cooler stance, and a custom bed since it does NOT have any bed and had some sort of flat bed before.

I would love to get this stude v8 running that is in it and save that part if possible. If not I will rethink that. My dream would be to use the Stude lump in it and put a Paxton SC on it, very vintage hot rod stuff there and still a tribute or homeage to the Stude performance legacy....budget issues may put the kabash on that though...never know. Anyone wanna buy a nice dirtbike and a great river/family boat to help fund my Paxton dreams??

[parts2]

Well..Hello..
Beautiful Pat..made me feel this was fine place to post...seeing your nice custom. If we park your red and my green next to each other..we have a fine Christmas display..!
First post here. My first real car way back in 1966 was to be a 1953 Commander "Studillac" ..I have alwys thought the Bourke design perhaps the epitome of American Design in not only the 50s..but perhaps one the best of any car in any country.
I was talked out of it by Uncles..and Dad. It worked out Ok..I bought a '57 Corvette..but have longed for a 53-54 Coupe since.
I got mine lat week..
I was hesitant to post here as it is a "faux" Studillac. (I will be changing that). It is a SBC that the previous owner made Cadillac valves covers. He built an excellent "period" piece..but I am not of the same mind..and will be moving the era up a little. Mid 60s.. And reverting the SBC to it's real covers..


I assure you I have more than a thick skin..as my other car is also a Heretic..and also IMO..one of the greatest designs of all makes..all years..

It is a old C/m Racer that was converted to Chevy in 1956. I have restored several other XKs..and this one..rust free..and highly modified..stayed through many life events. It did not look this way..but I built it ground up..and felt it deserved to be as it raced. SBC..but period correct style..

As I mentioned I am more than thick skinned as I have been on the Jaguar boards for many years..and my car is well accepted. As there are many that believe 1952 XK120s were incredibly fast..

Anyway..my introduction..

The Commander is the first ever "built" car..other than late model..I have ever bought. I have been all over it this week..it is very well made..safe and powerful..

So..hello..from a Heretic..

[mbstude]

Welcome! That coupe is a real sweetheart. I love the color.

I really like the Jaguar, too. I've got a friend with a '57 XK140 drophead coupe. Beautiful cars.

[parts2]

Thanks for the welcome Mb..
I know some of the Studebaker Club guys here in Tucson.. They are open to all and any Studes.. I wasn't sure about color.and it really looks better in 3D
I will be changing the Wide Whites..as I never was a WW guy..and I'd never clean them !

[showbizkid]

That is some gorgeous iron! Welcome to the Forum!

[BobPalma]

Anyway..my introduction..

The Commander is the first ever "built" car..other than late model..I have ever bought. I have been all over it this week..it is very well made..safe and powerful..

So..hello..from a Heretic..

Hello, Ken, and welcome. What a pretty, dark green '53 coupe!

Did you attend The 2011 Pure Stock Muscle Car Drag Race last September, driving that green coupe? I seem to remember seeing it there.

'Nice car. BP

[63 R2 Hawk]

A lot of old Fords and Chevys wouldn't be around today to restore if they hadn't been turned into hotrods when they had served out their normal lifespan. I try to keep my Hawk original wherever it makes sense, but I don't have a problem with discreetly improving some things, like KYB shocks, MSD ignition (under the dash so you don't see it), 16" wide wheels, under-dash sound system, halogen headlamps, 2 1/4" exhaust etc. My John Erb supercharger and R3 style intake & exhaust manifolds are acceptable by all but the most fanatical purists. My rule is, if you can return it back to stock without any evidence of previous modification, it's OK. My cars are drivers, not show cars.