Ever been a C/K convertible?

[A1956GoldenHawk]

quote:Originally posted by mausersmth

Anyone ever seen a convertible based on any of the C/K bodies? Factory or custom, doesn't matter, just wondering if such a thing was ever tried... Think a convertible Hawk or a '53 or '54 would really get attention!

Charles, back in the late '50's, O'Chap's Body Shop in South Bend had a Black-over-White '53 (may have been a '54?). Before the GT Hawks, O'Chap had a hawk sporting a '58 T-Bird style roof ...O'Chap called it his "Thunder-hawk." O'Chap's Body Shop (corner of Franklin & Indiana) was located just a few blocks straight south of Studebaker's Engineering Dept. (corner of Franklin & Sample).

<h4>Last Man Standing in Studebaker Indiana</h4>

[A1956GoldenHawk]

quote:Originally posted by mausersmth

Anyone ever seen a convertible based on any of the C/K bodies? Factory or custom, doesn't matter, just wondering if such a thing was ever tried... Think a convertible Hawk or a '53 or '54 would really get attention!

Charles, back in the late '50's, O'Chap's Body Shop in South Bend had a Black-over-White '53 (may have been a '54?). Before the GT Hawks, O'Chap had a hawk sporting a '58 T-Bird style roof ...O'Chap called it his "Thunder-hawk." O'Chap's Body Shop (corner of Franklin & Indiana) was located just a few blocks straight south of Studebaker's Engineering Dept. (corner of Franklin & Sample).

<h4>Last Man Standing in Studebaker Indiana</h4>

[S2DSteve]

Actually, there's been quite a few started over the years. Many weren't true "convertibles" in that the top was simply cut off with no provision to "convert" back, and a lot were scrapped when it was discovered they became undriveable without the strength provided by a rigid top. Nevertheless, with proper frame reinforcment (either a sliding roof/convertible/Avanti X-member or equivalent reinforcement)it can be done.

I was extremely fortunate to literally stumble over an incomplete project in a barn just after the owner had decided to sell. In just 8 more years, a few hours and dollars later, it was on the road. Ours used a '64 Dodge Dart convertible assembly, and I've heard of others using the Dart/Valient assembly.

The smartest thing would be to find one already done (the 2-seater version at Omaha was listed for sale in Texas a few months ago), but anything is possible with enough time, effort and money.


Steve Hudson
The Dalles, Oregon
1937 Dictator Flatback sedan (for sale)
1949 "GMOBaker" 1-T Dually (workhorse)
1953 Commander Convertible (show & go)
1953 Champion Starliner (custom/rod project)
1954 Champion Coupe (daily driver)
1960 Hawk (future project?)

[S2DSteve]

Actually, there's been quite a few started over the years. Many weren't true "convertibles" in that the top was simply cut off with no provision to "convert" back, and a lot were scrapped when it was discovered they became undriveable without the strength provided by a rigid top. Nevertheless, with proper frame reinforcment (either a sliding roof/convertible/Avanti X-member or equivalent reinforcement)it can be done.

I was extremely fortunate to literally stumble over an incomplete project in a barn just after the owner had decided to sell. In just 8 more years, a few hours and dollars later, it was on the road. Ours used a '64 Dodge Dart convertible assembly, and I've heard of others using the Dart/Valient assembly.

The smartest thing would be to find one already done (the 2-seater version at Omaha was listed for sale in Texas a few months ago), but anything is possible with enough time, effort and money.


Steve Hudson
The Dalles, Oregon
1937 Dictator Flatback sedan (for sale)
1949 "GMOBaker" 1-T Dually (workhorse)
1953 Commander Convertible (show & go)
1953 Champion Starliner (custom/rod project)
1954 Champion Coupe (daily driver)
1960 Hawk (future project?)

[nels]

I was told many years ago, that Stude built two prototypes and both were at the proving ground garage. One, I believe was destroyed by Stude and the other was the one you are talking about. It sat for years behind a SB service station.

quote:Originally posted by mbstude

The factory built '53 convertible prototype, which was restyled in '54 to match the New models, currently resides in California in a private collection, so I've heard.

Steve and Carol Hudson's (custom job) is by FAR the nicest one I know of. [^]

Matthew Burnette
'59 Scotsman
'63 Daytona
Hazlehurst, GA

[nels]

I was told many years ago, that Stude built two prototypes and both were at the proving ground garage. One, I believe was destroyed by Stude and the other was the one you are talking about. It sat for years behind a SB service station.

quote:Originally posted by mbstude

The factory built '53 convertible prototype, which was restyled in '54 to match the New models, currently resides in California in a private collection, so I've heard.

Steve and Carol Hudson's (custom job) is by FAR the nicest one I know of. [^]

Matthew Burnette
'59 Scotsman
'63 Daytona
Hazlehurst, GA

[Thomas63R2]

That just looks so right - shame the factory never offered it. One of these days I might do that to a '64 GT.

Thomas

Long time hot rodder
Packrat junk collector
'63 Avanti R2 4 speed

[Thomas63R2]

That just looks so right - shame the factory never offered it. One of these days I might do that to a '64 GT.

Thomas

Long time hot rodder
Packrat junk collector
'63 Avanti R2 4 speed

[studegary]

In my contacts, I believe that the factory only made one prototype convertible. It was originally a 1953 model. It was later converted to be a 1954 model. Along with the trim changes, the color was changed. Many people thought that this car was two different cars, which wasn't the case. I saw the car many times. It never had serial or body number plates installed.

Gary L.
Wappinger, NY

SDC member since 1968
Studebaker enthusiast much longer

[studegary]

In my contacts, I believe that the factory only made one prototype convertible. It was originally a 1953 model. It was later converted to be a 1954 model. Along with the trim changes, the color was changed. Many people thought that this car was two different cars, which wasn't the case. I saw the car many times. It never had serial or body number plates installed.

Gary L.
Wappinger, NY

SDC member since 1968
Studebaker enthusiast much longer

[nels]

Gary,
I was told about two cars by an old Studebaker dealer who used to travel to SB from Cinci Oh quite often. He is long gone but had me convinced at the time. It would be interesting to know for sure.

[nels]

Gary,
I was told about two cars by an old Studebaker dealer who used to travel to SB from Cinci Oh quite often. He is long gone but had me convinced at the time. It would be interesting to know for sure.

[S2DSteve]

The "2 prototypes" rumor is about as persistent as the "Canadian Avanti" rumor. I talked to the second private owner of the prototype who also believed there were two-the factory made a '53, crushed it then made a '54. When you think about it, that makes no sense at all. I have a pretty extensive file on the prototype and I'm convinced the '53 was taken in and converted to '54 specs, and a lot of people just assumed it was a new car. Here's a couple of photos of the prototype after it was rescued from the first private owner and restored. I don't think it was ever red while owned by Studebaker.



Steve Hudson
The Dalles, Oregon
1937 Dictator Flatback sedan (for sale)
1949 "GMOBaker" 1-T Dually (workhorse)
1953 Commander Convertible (show & go)
1953 Champion Starliner (custom/rod project)
1954 Champion Coupe (daily driver)
1960 Hawk (future project?)

[S2DSteve]

The "2 prototypes" rumor is about as persistent as the "Canadian Avanti" rumor. I talked to the second private owner of the prototype who also believed there were two-the factory made a '53, crushed it then made a '54. When you think about it, that makes no sense at all. I have a pretty extensive file on the prototype and I'm convinced the '53 was taken in and converted to '54 specs, and a lot of people just assumed it was a new car. Here's a couple of photos of the prototype after it was rescued from the first private owner and restored. I don't think it was ever red while owned by Studebaker.



Steve Hudson
The Dalles, Oregon
1937 Dictator Flatback sedan (for sale)
1949 "GMOBaker" 1-T Dually (workhorse)
1953 Commander Convertible (show & go)
1953 Champion Starliner (custom/rod project)
1954 Champion Coupe (daily driver)
1960 Hawk (future project?)

[studegary]

quote:Originally posted by nels

Gary,
I was told about two cars by an old Studebaker dealer who used to travel to SB from Cinci Oh quite often. He is long gone but had me convinced at the time. It would be interesting to know for sure.

My input came from Bob Bourke and a few high ranking engineers and managers from the South Bend plant.

AFAIK, the car always had the imitation wire wheel covers. They were in the trunk the last time that I saw the car in South Bend.

Gary L.
Wappinger, NY

SDC member since 1968
Studebaker enthusiast much longer