Projects Barn find studebaker

It’s all there but the radiator.

 

That hunk of junk @anthony myrick posted looks like a cheap Tucker torpedo replica.

at least we got this real one to compare it to !

 

I’ve always liked these srudebakers.

 

After seeing your first post, I excitedly called my uncle in Oregon, who was the President and Commander of the Studebaker restyling club for years, although he stepped down after being called a Dictator.
He travelled the pacific northwest buying all of the bullet nosed Starlight Studes that he could find, and then would cut the roof off and weld it back on the opposite direction. He had it on great authority that the engineers spilled coffee on the original blueprints, and it resulted in the windshield being placed in the back, so he rectified this on as many cars as possible.
He did most of his cutting with cross cut saws, since he could find them cheaper at rummage sales than buying hacksaw blades. He had a good supply of filler rod, because his neighbor owned a plant that made coat hangers, and when a new employee would run the machines for the first time, often they would put the twist at the top in backwards, and would not meet military spec. He said that if you welded from right to left, they still worked fine.
His cars had a strong fan base, with most of them being purchased by Barnum and Bailey or Ringling Brothers, for some unknown reason.
The car you found has the bullet nose replaced with a light. Those were extremely popular, with the best ones coming from the Gambles store. He said they were across the isle from the accessory tassels for the Hiawatha bicycles, and were often sold out. Sears had them too, but only in 12 volt, and he couldn't afford the other 6 volts, so he wouldn't use them. You had to install them with the wheels straight, or they would come out crooked.
He said that the car you found is the cheapest model, which is why it has a puny rear window, and therefore, less desirable, not to mention the extra doors.
Nowadays, with builder cars harder to find, it would be worth messing with, as long as you follow a recipe for success. It HAS to be put on an S-10 frame. They are specially engineered to fit under any and all old cars. Then it needs a 350 Chevy. The late 70's models from California have the best power, because they have a big belt driver blower on them that gives you assisted propulsion out of the tailpipe. Make sure the tailpipe exits straight out the rear, or handling could be affected if it pushes you sideways. If it has 4 bolt mains, it automatically has an extra 37.4 horsepower, too, so look for that.
Using easily found accessories, like rusty chain and old saw blades, you can do a spiffy job of customizing it. Welding on old wrenches gives even more style. be sure to use s stick welder, and leave your rods out in the rain so your welds get some "patina".
Do not paint it, or the value will drop. if it has too much paint, some sanding before a rainstorm will help the cool factor.
I say "Go for it" and knock our socks off with the machine you will have in no time1

 

Geez, Anthony;
W/o bumpers, that hulk can't be worth very much. You actually gonna bother expending the effort? .

Croc;
You gotta spill all the secrets... ? Sheesh...
Marcus...

 

I always wanted one of those to make an El Camino out of. The only problem is the engine is in the back, but I figured out a work around. You raise the bed up higher. They don’t make good gassers because like Corvair they got the engine in the back. Too light in the front. It would just keep the front wheels high in the air. It would look stupid! Them old Studes sure were cool looking. You could do so much with them.

 

Yeah, I'll probably give up on my Stude project. Every time I work on it, I get Tuckered out

 

And this is why friends don't let friends do drugs!

 

Gotta be a fake, no suicide rear doors!

 

Does anyone recall the 48 Tucker Torpedo around Malden in the late 60's? I saw it several times.