Although I want my Stude to be generally original in appearance and drive train, when it comes to safety issues, I will not hesitate to modify.
In re-doing the Champ I quickly became aware of how far vehicle electrical and brake systems have come in a short 50 years. I assumed that disc brakes had become the norm in that period but was surprised that dual master cylinders had not yet become standard in 1960.
As for the electrical, I was reminded that the transition from generator to alternator had not yet taken place but I was surprised at the lack of a central fuse panel. Only after I had downloaded an electrical schematic did I realize that much of the original protection was by breakers internal to the switches leaving only a few visible in line fuses. My initial reaction had been that nothing was fused !!!
Realizing that with this design those 50 year old breakers were of unknown condition and may or may not actually provide any protection, as I re-install the dash I'm adding a $10 blade type fuse block further protecting all circuits.
As for the headlights, one of the memories that I'll have long after cremation was on a dark night on a gravel road in Northern Indiana in my '55 President. I fortunately wasn't going very fast when I sensed I saw something, perhaps a deer, move in front of me and hit the brakes. When totally stopped I realized it was a moving freight train about 20 feet from my front bumper.
Since that time I've kept the brightest headlights possible in my vehicles including replacing them before they fail as halogens in particular lose brightness over time. Back to the Champ.... Yesterday I ordered the simple "APC Universal Halogen" $19 kit (including relays) yesterday (ebay) to convert the Champ to H4 Halogen's. Universal 7" Glass headlight shells are only $23 each.
I came across the following at another post this AM. While I am not sure of the accuracy, intuitively I would believe it to be right.
By using the kit with relays that take power directly from the battery, you avoid power loss from weak connections, undersized wires, worn switches etc. while facilitating the much brighter lighting that Halogen's provide. We've used these kits on the Cherokees we've restored and they are well worth the money and literally plug and play.
Plans for the Speedster include the above items, dual master with remote fill, disc brakes and 12 volt alternator conversion.... Sorry purists but I want this car to road worthy for another 50 years.
In re-doing the Champ I quickly became aware of how far vehicle electrical and brake systems have come in a short 50 years. I assumed that disc brakes had become the norm in that period but was surprised that dual master cylinders had not yet become standard in 1960.
As for the electrical, I was reminded that the transition from generator to alternator had not yet taken place but I was surprised at the lack of a central fuse panel. Only after I had downloaded an electrical schematic did I realize that much of the original protection was by breakers internal to the switches leaving only a few visible in line fuses. My initial reaction had been that nothing was fused !!!
Realizing that with this design those 50 year old breakers were of unknown condition and may or may not actually provide any protection, as I re-install the dash I'm adding a $10 blade type fuse block further protecting all circuits.
As for the headlights, one of the memories that I'll have long after cremation was on a dark night on a gravel road in Northern Indiana in my '55 President. I fortunately wasn't going very fast when I sensed I saw something, perhaps a deer, move in front of me and hit the brakes. When totally stopped I realized it was a moving freight train about 20 feet from my front bumper.
Since that time I've kept the brightest headlights possible in my vehicles including replacing them before they fail as halogens in particular lose brightness over time. Back to the Champ.... Yesterday I ordered the simple "APC Universal Halogen" $19 kit (including relays) yesterday (ebay) to convert the Champ to H4 Halogen's. Universal 7" Glass headlight shells are only $23 each.
I came across the following at another post this AM. While I am not sure of the accuracy, intuitively I would believe it to be right.
Plans for the Speedster include the above items, dual master with remote fill, disc brakes and 12 volt alternator conversion.... Sorry purists but I want this car to road worthy for another 50 years.
'63 Avanti R-1384. sold 12/10.
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