Projects The Stude Ute Runs and Drives!

The Ute went to the GNRS not running. I just flat ran out of time prior to the show.

A couple of weeks ago, I started into wiring it, getting it running, and working out some bugs. The biggest issue was that dummy me had put the clutch disc in backwards

. A real rookie mistake.


It is now running good enough and driving good enough that Brian Curtis and I took it out for a photo shoot in several different locations.


Here’s a few of what I took. Brian is the REAL photographer and his will be much better than these. Also, my batteries died before we got to the harbor, and the venues there looked real good to my untrained eye. I’m anxious to see Brian’s pictures.

 

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THAT'S impressive!!!
great looking engine..
great color choice..
great looking car/truck..

one of my favorites!!

 

exactly what color is that?

and by the way,,your photos are excellent..

 

Right on! That is perfect!

 

1953 Studebaker Chippewa Green

 

That interior is downright dreamy.

 

aussie ute??

 

damn. thats killer love the color combos!

 

Howdy Ledbetter. He can do no wrong.

 

I saw your truck at gnrs man what a class ride, serious class ride.

 

Originally a Coupe. Customized for the 1959 Oakland Roadster Show by Lee Talbot of Livermore, CA. Lee did a SUPER job!

 

By the way man who did your interior?

 

That is CRAZY COOL! I like the color you chose. Works well with the style lines.

 

Beautiful car ! You really went to the top with this Stude !
Very , Very nice & clean car !

 

wow lookn good !!!!!!!! jeffrey

 

Saw you're car @ GNRS, stood and stared at it for a loooong time. Fit and finish, interior, engine compartment, style............has it all! (The back window had everyone guessing, laughed @ a few of them!)

 

Howdy Ledbetter. Fremont, CA.

Howdy has done a couple or cars for me. He does it when he says he will do it, under 2 weeks start to finish, and sticks with his up front price. He is an absolute craftsman and a real artist to boot. I had some input into this interior, but most of it is Howdy.

I had some vinyl made to match the Chippewa Green and the cream I used in the interior by RMS in Oregon. I figured it just wouldn't look right "close". RMS did an excellent job. The match was perfect. About 3 weeks turnaround. Not much more than an off the shelf color. I got to pick the sheen and grain pattern also.

 

Oh, damn I like that!

 

That turned out beautiful, very nice job!

 

Glad you got it running*****. It looks great in those photos and just as good, if not better, in person. I think it might be time for an Avatar upgrade.

 

What a beauty.

 

That settles it. I thought Stude didn't make a ute. It would have been neat if they did! I always loved those Hawks Beautiful car and engine!

 

Dick,
Awesome!!
It gets better each time I see it,

 

Wow. What more can one say?

 

wow. thats a pretty good looking car/truck. nice work

 

I was so glad to see this at the GNRS....one of my many favorites at the show....
You should be commended on the restraint you used, very understated and still showy!

 

Good idea Michael. New Avatar!

 

I cannot get enough of it.

 

A couple years ago there was a '55 DeSoto coupe Ute for sale on an Australian site, would have been a cool project!

 

thats the coolest use i've ever seen! great job on it