Has anyone seen this car???

[studehunter]

Has anyone seen this car and do you know anything about it? I think I saw something on this forum recently. What do you think it will go for?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Studebaker-Starlight-1953-Studebaker-Starlight-Coupe_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ6466QQihZ010QQitemZ200185201358QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

Domenic Manera
1954 Regal Starlight Coupe

[Roscomacaw]

Yes, it belonged to Dick Steinkamp before the seller bought it. I've personally set in it and looked at the quality of work that's been done to it. Dennis Hommel was doing the car up right. Actually - better than right.
Since it's mostly a matter of finishing assembly, it's not that daunting a project. Of course, it would help if you were familiar with that model and Studebakers in general.
I'm just stabbing in the dark here, but I'll GUESS at $15 - $16K[^]

Miscreant adrift in
the BerStuda Triangle


1957 Transtar 1/2ton
1960 Larkvertible V8
1958 Provincial wagon
1953 Commander coupe

[Roscomacaw]

Yes, it belonged to Dick Steinkamp before the seller bought it. I've personally set in it and looked at the quality of work that's been done to it. Dennis Hommel was doing the car up right. Actually - better than right.
Since it's mostly a matter of finishing assembly, it's not that daunting a project. Of course, it would help if you were familiar with that model and Studebakers in general.
I'm just stabbing in the dark here, but I'll GUESS at $15 - $16K[^]

Miscreant adrift in
the BerStuda Triangle


1957 Transtar 1/2ton
1960 Larkvertible V8
1958 Provincial wagon
1953 Commander coupe

[Randy_G]

I keep reading the name of the original owner, Dennis Hommel? Please tell me where I heard of him before reading about him here.

Randy_G
1959 Lark Sedan

https://www.AutomotiveHistoryOnline.com

[Randy_G]

I keep reading the name of the original owner, Dennis Hommel? Please tell me where I heard of him before reading about him here.

Randy_G
1959 Lark Sedan

https://www.AutomotiveHistoryOnline.com

[StudeRich]

I understand that he did a lot of documenting build info on '53-'54 Starliners and Starlights, published a newsletter and operated a registry of them. This was back a few years however.

StudeRich
Studebakers Northwest
Ferndale, WA

[StudeRich]

I understand that he did a lot of documenting build info on '53-'54 Starliners and Starlights, published a newsletter and operated a registry of them. This was back a few years however.

StudeRich
Studebakers Northwest
Ferndale, WA

[sals54]

Is this perhaps a testament to another project out of control or over the head of the owner? We seem to find these here, on craigslist, ebay and elsewhere, and it looks at though so many find that the disassembly part of the job is so much easier than the assembly part. The level of dedication of time and money and money and time is so daunting it becomes overwhelming to most who even attempt this level of work. Don't get me wrong, I admire those who do it, but homework, homework, homework is needed before stripping a car down to the last bolt just because one has a dream of doing a rebuild. So often we see in the ads for the stripped down cars and trucks which finally go up for sale, "I don't think I'm going to have the time to finish this project which I started XX years ago. It was a good running car when I started the rebuild." Face it, most of us should just be happy to drive the cars we have and do the maintenance to keep them on the road. Most of us would be best suited to rebuild only that system which needs immediate attention... then get back on the road till the next system needs work.

[sals54]

Is this perhaps a testament to another project out of control or over the head of the owner? We seem to find these here, on craigslist, ebay and elsewhere, and it looks at though so many find that the disassembly part of the job is so much easier than the assembly part. The level of dedication of time and money and money and time is so daunting it becomes overwhelming to most who even attempt this level of work. Don't get me wrong, I admire those who do it, but homework, homework, homework is needed before stripping a car down to the last bolt just because one has a dream of doing a rebuild. So often we see in the ads for the stripped down cars and trucks which finally go up for sale, "I don't think I'm going to have the time to finish this project which I started XX years ago. It was a good running car when I started the rebuild." Face it, most of us should just be happy to drive the cars we have and do the maintenance to keep them on the road. Most of us would be best suited to rebuild only that system which needs immediate attention... then get back on the road till the next system needs work.

[Dick Steinkamp]

quote:Originally posted by sals54

Is this perhaps a testament to another project out of control or over the head of the owner?

I agree, Sal, that there are A LOT of abandoned projects out there...both stock restorations and hot rods. I also agree that they often get abandoned just after the disassembly phase...when the owner realizes the time and money he originally estimated for the project needs to be multiplied by at least 4 .

This isn't one of those, however. This car is way past the disassembly stage...in fact it is final paint and assembly (with all NOS or reconditioned parts) away from being a 400 point show car. This project was not over the head of the former owner. He had plenty of money and knowledge. He farmed out virtually everything except the authenticity research. He enjoyed doing that part. Everything else (body and paint, interior, engine and other mechanical rebuild, etc. etc.) was done by pros.

I bought the car knowing I would most likely resell it. Peterson bought it from me as a project that he and his grandson Clayton could do together. Clayton was more interested in an R2 4 speed Hawk (I don't know why that would be ). Bob sold it to Ian this year. Ian realized he has too many projects already (including Guido's buggy) to finish this car. Ian will most likely have Bob part this car out for him if it doesn't make reserve on eBay...and I'm quite certain he will make more money that way than if it does make reserve.

[Dick Steinkamp]

quote:Originally posted by sals54

Is this perhaps a testament to another project out of control or over the head of the owner?

I agree, Sal, that there are A LOT of abandoned projects out there...both stock restorations and hot rods. I also agree that they often get abandoned just after the disassembly phase...when the owner realizes the time and money he originally estimated for the project needs to be multiplied by at least 4 .

This isn't one of those, however. This car is way past the disassembly stage...in fact it is final paint and assembly (with all NOS or reconditioned parts) away from being a 400 point show car. This project was not over the head of the former owner. He had plenty of money and knowledge. He farmed out virtually everything except the authenticity research. He enjoyed doing that part. Everything else (body and paint, interior, engine and other mechanical rebuild, etc. etc.) was done by pros.

I bought the car knowing I would most likely resell it. Peterson bought it from me as a project that he and his grandson Clayton could do together. Clayton was more interested in an R2 4 speed Hawk (I don't know why that would be ). Bob sold it to Ian this year. Ian realized he has too many projects already (including Guido's buggy) to finish this car. Ian will most likely have Bob part this car out for him if it doesn't make reserve on eBay...and I'm quite certain he will make more money that way than if it does make reserve.

[sals54]

Hey, Dick,
I agree with you on this one in particular. It just occurred to me that this job pointed out the problem that most have when attempting a task of this proportion. These types of restorations easily get away from most hobbyists who are not educated beyond normal mechanical skills. A frame off restoration has to be one of the most overwhelming tasks an auto enthusiast can undertake. Especially if a 400 point car is to be the outcome of the effort. You've seen and heard my car. Thats one of the reasons it has stayed that way. Its been a driver its whole life. If I were to take it down to the frame.... ugh, it would probably end up in someone else's garage as an uncompleted project.

[sals54]

Hey, Dick,
I agree with you on this one in particular. It just occurred to me that this job pointed out the problem that most have when attempting a task of this proportion. These types of restorations easily get away from most hobbyists who are not educated beyond normal mechanical skills. A frame off restoration has to be one of the most overwhelming tasks an auto enthusiast can undertake. Especially if a 400 point car is to be the outcome of the effort. You've seen and heard my car. Thats one of the reasons it has stayed that way. Its been a driver its whole life. If I were to take it down to the frame.... ugh, it would probably end up in someone else's garage as an uncompleted project.

[ralt12]

Wouldn't it be nice with this in it, though??

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=170178944942&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=007

A proper engine swap in a properly restored car....

'53 Commander

[ralt12]

Wouldn't it be nice with this in it, though??

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=170178944942&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=007

A proper engine swap in a properly restored car....

'53 Commander