clip

hi; please dont think me a heretic as i have owned 5 stockers. this is my question! i purchased a rusty 57 silver hawk and will be using a firebird front clip i need the place to cut the 57s frame. this car will be driven daily with a big smile and pride in the marque. roll on. i have a gmail--stude13@gmail.com

[Dick Steinkamp]

I've never done this, but recently I did see an attempt to graft a Camaro clip to a '53 Coupe. The clip was wider than the Stude frame so it was just welded to the outside of the cutoff Stude frame. Probably THE WORST attempt I have ever seen to change the front suspension on a Stude. Needless to say, the project was abandoned some time ago and the Stude was essentially ruined.

This is not to say that yours would be the same. Just measure very carefully to insure the Firebird clip has the proper dimensions to even think about such a swap. Just because the Firebird clip might be available doesn't mean it will actually work in your specific application.

If it does measure out, you still have a whole mountain of other fabrication issues to deal with. Think it through carefully. Find someone who has actually done the same swap successfully. Don't reinvent the wheel if possible.

Also, ask yourself WHY you want to do such a swap. A rebuilt Stude front end is a good independent suspension, disk brakes are available for it, I personally don't believe a clip is worth the trouble (and it's A LOT of trouble)...no advantages that I can see (and I'm a hot rodder [:0])

[stude13]

hi dick; thank you for the reply. it just rained on my parade but it was a drizzle. i will go stock again. ill run the 259 3sp over. thanks stude13

[DEEPNHOCK]

You will find that the clip will be slightly wider than what you have now. Some like to cut a strip right out of the center of the clip and weld it back together.
Another alternative is to leave the clip width alone and run narrowed a-arms (Fatman Fab $750 pr)...
For what this is going to cost you, you could have your stock front end rebuilt with new Turner disc brakes, springs, shocks, sway bar, and a keg of beer for the party you would throw when it is back out on the street....
Jeff[8D]

quote:Originally posted by stude13

hi; please dont think me a heretic as i have owned 5 stockers. this is my question! i purchased a rusty 57 silver hawk and will be using a firebird front clip i need the place to cut the 57s frame. this car will be driven daily with a big smile and pride in the marque. roll on. i have a gmail--stude13@gmail.com

DEEPNHOCK at Gmail.com
Brooklet, Georgia
'37 Coupe Express (never ending project)
'37 Coupe Express Trailer (project)
'61 Hawk (project)
http://community.webshots.com/user/deepnhock

[sbca96]

Or there is the Art Morrison frame ...... rather then cutting stuff.

Art Morrison makes a frame for the C/K body, which since Studebaker
used very similar frame under almost all models, could be adapted to
fit a number of cars. This frame uses a Corvette front suspension and
a 4 link rear suspension. It will basically update your car to a new
car mechanicals. Thats the way to go in MY mind for a clean install.
I would also bet the cost would be considerably cheaper in the end.



http://nelson-motorsports.com/studebaker.htm

Tom

'63 Avanti, zinc plated drilled & slotted 03 Mustang Cobra 13" front disc/98 GT rear brakes, 03 Cobra 17" wheels, GM alt, 97 Z28 leather seats, soon: 97 Z28 T-56 6-spd, Ported heads w/SST full flow valves, 'R3' 276 cam, Edelbrock AFB Carb, GM HEI distributor, 8.8mm plug wires

[DEEPNHOCK]

Fifteen grand plus by the time you are done is cheaper in the end?
Which end?
It is a nice setup.
Ask them where he got all the datum line info on the Stude chassis...
Jeff[8D]

quote:Originally posted by sbca96

Or there is the Art Morrison frame ...... rather then cutting stuff.
Art Morrison makes a frame for the C/K body, which since Studebaker
used very similar frame under almost all models, could be adapted to
fit a number of cars. This frame uses a Corvette front suspension and
a 4 link rear suspension. It will basically update your car to a new
car mechanicals. Thats the way to go in MY mind for a clean install.
I would also bet the cost would be considerably cheaper in the end.
Tom

[sbca96]

I didnt see the 15 grand for the frame listed. Sorry.

Tom

[DEEPNHOCK]

No, no Tom...
Don't take it wrong...
Morrison's stuff is real nice indeed... And the price for a complete roller chassis is proof positive..
We all cringe at the $75,000 prices that some cars bring, but we don't really connect on 'how' the price gets up there....
Jeff[8D]

quote:Originally posted by sbca96

I didnt see the 15 grand for the frame listed. Sorry.

Tom

[sbca96]

I have always wanted a 63-67 Corvette, and have been looking at kit
cars that pop up from time to time. A buddy who is a Corvette nut
sent me a couple links for frames similar to Art's. They use a 4th
Gen Corvette suspension. The frame is around 4000-5000 bucks, then it
needs the suspension. Sure you can buy all new parts, and jump the
price of the build to 75,000 dollars, but you can also do some legwork
and drop that cost dramatically. He quoted a similar price for the
63 Vette mentioned above, but if you bought a running late 80s Vette,
preferably wrecked, but usable, you would have pretty much everything
you need to build the car after buying the frame. Figure 5000 for the
frame plus 8000 to 10,000 for the totalled Vette. He also quoted a
5,0000 to 10,000 dollar paint job, but since I would want to use it as
a track car - Earl's $800 dollar urethane would do just fine! I see
no reason to dump the stock stuff personally, but chopping the frame
rails off to tuck a floating subframe welded to a full frame seems a
bit dodgy to me. Especially since the Camaro suspension isnt going to
get you THAT much over stock. If you are going to spend the money to
get that involved, swap the whole frame and sell the original one to
someone restoring a Stude to reclaim some of you costs.

Thats were I was going in "less" cost. I honestly dont know how much
the Art Morrison frame is.

Tom

[bams50]

Along those lines, I like the show "Wrecks to Riches"... they supposedly scrounge up a shabby body, gut it, add all BN body panels, all new crate drivetrain, all new suspension in boxes, all new glass and trim, and all new pro interior, and show paint- about 3 weeks start to finish; then take it to auction and "hope" they break even...[|)] Somehow they always manage to, and make $20k clear profit-..... WHEW, thank Heavens, escaped again.......

Not very realistic, but entertaining just the same...

Although it would be fun to do one like that once- just buy everything BN and slap it on...............[8D]



Robert (Bob) Andrews Owner- IoMT (Island of Misfit Toys!)
Parish, central NY 13131
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2358680/1

[bradnree]

If you want to convert something to something take a look at the ads and articles in NSRA's magazine (National Street Rod Assoc.) and GoodGuys Gazette for information. Both street rod organizations are on line and invite bone stock and modified Studebakers to their events. Their magazines usually have Stude. photos. DesMoines GoodGuys is this week, so come and see the Studebakers, and vendors for converting something to something or decide on plain stock. I have both stock and modified. Stock is much easier to deal with. Modified takes more thought and planning. There will be 3,000 modifieds in Des Moines of one brand or another. Louisville will have 11,000 modifieds in attendance. NSRA, West Allis Wi, July 13-15 ; GoodGuys, July 13-15 Columbus OH. Other shows are on-line.....................Brad

[stude13]

wow; you guys are teriffic. it has been mind expanding without the spine tremors. stude13

[stude13]

hi guys; im a normal rodder, old and broke. thanks stude13

[CraigMorrison]

Hi guys, Craig Morrison here, if I can answer any questions about our products, please just let me know! Our next in-house project is going to be a 53 Commander and it will be covered in Rod and Custom. The 53-54's have been real hot item the past few months as we have built 6 or so custom frames for these cars. Here are some "before" shots and a few rendering ideas.



It's going to be a fun project, and I hope you guys don't mind if I ask a few Stude related questions along the way.

Have a great day!

[Dick Steinkamp]

quote:Originally posted by CraigMorrison

Hi guys, Craig Morrison here, if I can answer any questions about our products, please just let me know! Our next in-house project is going to be a 53 Commander and it will be covered in Rod and Custom. The 53-54's have been real hot item the past few months as we have built 6 or so custom frames for these cars. Here are some "before" shots and a few rendering ideas.

and I hope you guys don't mind if I ask a few Stude related questions along the way.

Welcome aboard, Craig! [8D].

I'm sure you will get all your Stude related questions addressed here. We'd love to help with this project. Publicity like this Rod and Custom series does nothing but good for the SDC and our hobby.

Morrison is located right here in the Pacific Northwest...

http://www.artmorrison.com/

They have gone out on a BIG limb to produce C/K frames and complete chassis. The good news is, they are selling them . My buddy Keith Christensen in Mt. Vernon has just taken delivery on one for his '53 hardtop project. I've seen the chassis and let me tell you that Morrison's work is absolutely first class [].

Some of you know Bob Wooldridge's pro street '53 coupe...



Bob is running an Art Morrison chassis under this beautiful Studebaker.

Craig, are you guys going to have a display at Good Guys Puyallup next week?