Do not look without an opinion. Just a bone head what do ya think question.

Welp...you prolly already know I sold all 4 of my 53-54 stude coupes [I believe you even got a back seat from one of 'em] to help fund my 34 ford coupe project and I don't regret it....don't listen to anybody...do what floats your own private boat...

 

I'd trade for a 33,34 3 window full fender or a 35,36 3 window. I was already was involved with a 54 Stud hardtop with a Pont motor nice car and lots of fun. I'm a blower guy however and a 6-71 sticking out of the Stud would be hard to live with. It's hard enought to get the hood closed with a carb. Sure you can put a 502 BBC in it but it's just not the same. I like looking at the top of the curved fender and seeing the head lights down there. Coupes are cozy, noisy and bouncy. the Stud is more sedate late model stuff. Let the young guys have them. They are cool no doubt but just not the character of the fender cars.

And what do I really have...41 Willys blown SBC. wouldn't trade for anything I can think of. Nothing female for sure....maybe a kennel full of good dogs. haha

 

What is your history with the Stude? Did you buy to build/flip, or did you date your wife in it/bring babies home from the hospital in it? There are too many variables for somebody else to look at and make a decision. Sentimental value means a lot. If there is none, then go by dollars and cents. The Ford wins.

 

Back in HS I built a 54 HT with a Pont motor and 3 sp selector trans. Friend's dad who was a mech eng help modify a Vette trans linkage. It worked great. He also mentored me into mech eng career. The car ran great, very quick and fast, steered and handled like a truck. We drove the daylights out of it. It was lousy for dates however with the shifter and minescule back seat. haha Who cared, we were gearheads even then. Females were nothing but trouble. Went on to build a 53 Ford with big Olds and 3sp OD. Very fast, evil handling car. Still a lot of fun and it directed me to drag racing. We lived for cars and sports.

 

I would stay with the Stude but thats just me. I don't think you would go wrong either way though. The one positive going for the ford is that parts are more readily available. Its your car so do what you want. Have fun and post pics as you go PLEASE.

 

If it were me, I'd be jumping up and down doing the happy dance and trying not to blow the deal from too much excitement.

 

Ben....that lowrider stude is gonna be a bitch for you to get in and out of...the ford would be a lot easier.

 

I voted trade,simply because the mid to late 30s fords are beautiful cars no matter what.If I close my eyes Im in one now...........36................

 

My first "old" car for a full build was a 56 Hawk with an olds 425.
More recently, I have fuel pump's old 37 B coupe with a new crate motor.
.
.
I'm having a hell of a lot more fun in the 37 and don't have to argue all the time with the Studebaker crowd who complain if the engine color isn't the correct shade of green.

My 2 sence.

 

A good plan

 

Now there is an angle that most of these fellas never even consider. Although one of the fellas did mention not being able to fit in an A bone. That's a pretty big man.

I think one of the considerations made when building the Cochran/Tardel couple was probably how tall that Ryan is. If I recall at one point in the build it had dollar bill windows. Of course the end result couldn't have been better.

And yes I do have your seat. Sean stitched some hydes for it you would never recognize it today.

 

Well now that the wrinkle's been ironed out I think I get the point. I can related but I'm mostly done with high powered hotrods. I love em. They're like heroin to an addict for me. I get giddy and young when I hear the din of the announcer and the smell the fumes at the dragstrip. I just can't do it anylonger for financial/time/logistic reasons. It would take what I had in my whole car 10yrs ago just to get a reliable drivetrain going today. Unlike you,'beaner, I gotta have some bling because that relates to my profession. I'm behind the proverbial 8 ball in that regard. But there's the custom (kustom). That car that just exudes craftsmanship and vision along with all of the other "commandments" intact like restraint, proportions, colors, stance. I can get my head around that without putting myself in hock. I can create with very little concern and that's a freedom that's hard to come across in any form of hotrods and racing.

Now back to you, can I assume that you're helping someone go fast with a Stude and they wish to swap into a Ford? If top speed is the main goal I can get on board with the Stude idea. They've been used for deacdes for just that reason and their age now gives the racer the advantage vintage classes. I can't see any Ford coupe that would able to compete given equal power and seup. Then again I could be full of shit and don't have the slightest idea of where you were really going. it happens...

 

Truth is Highlander that I have Wilbur's Stude in my garage today.

Its a funny thing about the Stude. You can get the entire engine behind the axle center without ever touching the firewall. Useing a light engine you can trim them to about 2800 easy. With an old wheelbarrow for a a cove you can really move the mill back and still have plenty of leg room.

It just begs for a high winding small block. And moving the engine back in the firewall a little bit you can almost get the carbs under the hood. A baby Caddy is a bolt in so if you are into that type of trad mill you have very little to do besides screw it together.

Other little known tidbits, In '64 Twin Piston Bendix Discs were offered on the Avanti. They were still using the the same King Pin suspension on the Avanit as well as the Lowey. They are a bolt on.

The coupes were or are real narrow for a down side and although there is a hell of a lof of room in the stock tubs it takes a pretty narrow rear to get anything under it. But if you're a custom guy you're in there like swim wear. No offset on the wheels and skinny-ish tires the 8" rear from a fairmont is just a matter of changing the pads. They make a helluva tail dragger. Or of down and dirty is your game I think you can drop the front about 4 inches by reversing the uprights.



And no Wilbur isn't considering trading for a Ford. He likes 'em and really loves the Bull Nosed '37s. But as I started the thread its all about figuring out where everyone else is really at. The board has really grown and I haven't been properly keeping up.

I am glad to see that amongst the street rodders and muscle car heads there are still some rodders here. Also glad that you fellas are not afraid to speak your mind. I have gained new found respect for a couple of you guys that haven't been very high on my list.

 

I'd keep the Stude because I prefer less popular vehicles for my builds. I prefer to have vehicles that are "rarer" than seeing 50 lined up beside each other, all looking relatively alike.

 

Ya just gotta love the oddballs, cuz if some of us didn't it would just be all cookie cutter shit. I still hate that I passed up on a 31 Exxex coupe, I passed because it was missing a door. The car needed tons of work but $300

 

I try and never trade anything straight up, give me boot or I'll keep my stuff.

 

just do what rocks your boat. either way, you gotta love what you are doin

 

Any thread that has Highlander participating, I want to read....
I voted for the trade but I'm now taking it back (I'll go back and vote twice for the Stude now). I'm young and impressionable (well, impressionable, young to Highlander)... Anyway, I just really get the stuff of being unique... ESPECIALLY Studebaker unique... how 'bout a kackle fest 340 Dodge with injection stacks in a Bonneville version of that Stude?
Slow to get things done is ok if it is for the right reasons. For me to get the time I need for stuff is to lose the money required for it - Double joepardy... Its why guys like Highlander and I are slow to get things done... Well in part anyway - cold shops are part of the problem too...

I too get diverted - I have the ADHD problem of being easily distracted...
I find - for me - I should stay focussed on what I have unless I get a long way forward for a straight across trade - won't know that 'till I see the cars...