Went to the local Orphan Car show today saw this

[T.J lavallee]

Strange paint treatment. Looks awkward to my eye. I agree with post 11 comment. The cove area with the second color would have been more classy for me. To each his own.

[StudeRich]

The 1953 Speedster II, at least it is "DIFFERENT"!

[doug]

Thanks for posting. Always enjoy seeing different cars.

[48skyliner]

I have seen drawings and photos of quite a number of convertibles/roadsters based on the 53 coupes, and I think this is by far the best styling I have seen. I agree with others comments on the way the two tone is done, and I personally would have used a stock 53 trunk lid, but everything else about it is very pleasing to my sense of aesthetics. I really like the door treatment.

[jclary]

I like it just fine. Also, I believe Ed Reynolds has one based on Bob Bourke's original proposal for a Studebaker production roadster. That one, is one of my favorites. With any of these, I'm always curious regarding how the frame was engineered to compensate for rigidity, in the absence of a top, since no convertible frame was produced for this style car.

[studegary]

I like it just fine. Also, I believe Ed Reynolds has one based on Bob Bourke's original proposal for a Studebaker production roadster. That one, is one of my favorites. With any of these, I'm always curious regarding how the frame was engineered to compensate for rigidity, in the absence of a top, since no convertible frame was produced for this style car.

Ed Reynolds has the original Studebaker factory prototype 1953 convertible. John Bridges built a two seater based on Bob Bourke's design idea.

[jclary]

Ed Reynolds has the original Studebaker factory prototype 1953 convertible. John Bridges built a two seater based on Bob Bourke's design idea.

Thanks for the clarification Gary. I believe it was the Bridges car I saw some time back in the 1990's when the international meet was in Nashville Tennessee. I thought that was an great looking car too.

[Xcalibur]

Someone went to a lot of work to "do it their way." Good for them!!!

[studegary]

Thanks for the clarification Gary. I believe it was the Bridges car I saw some time back in the 1990's when the international meet was in Nashville Tennessee. I thought that was an great looking car too.

Yes, Bridges' car was in the hotel at the 1992 Nashville SDC Convention.

[8E45E]

The 1953 Speedster II, at least it is "DIFFERENT"!

The drawing in Post #11 would be '1953'

What we see built would be a '1956' Speedster II, with the chrome 'V' and added fins.

Craig

[gordr]

Is this car made from a C body or an F body?

[studegary]

Is this car made from a C body or an F body?

If you are referring to the topic car, I do not believe that it was either of those, but rather a K body.

[swvalcon]

I like the trunk lid myself. I've got a line on a Mark III trunk lid that I planed to cut up and use on a rusty hawk trunk lid. At least now I know what it will look like. Only thing I would do different is leave out the lock and Studebaker emblem and leave it flat across.

[paintim613]

Someone went to a lot of work to "do it their way." Good for them!!!

And, thankfully, their way included parts from some of Studebaker's best.