Customs Could u do anything with this Kustom Studebaker? (pics)

Studes really lose their "look" without the top.
Honstly, to save it, I think it needs a chopped coupe roof back on it.
I'd go the Bonneville route like Jim Ewing did with his chopped Stude.


Add to James' photoshop;

chopped Stude roof (53)
53 style hood-louvered (as mentioned-lower the engine or alternator mount)
lose the tailfins
Moon discs (until you can afford the salt flat kidney beans)
dark gray or black primer (until yoo can afford paint)

 

Alot of work to get something that will be "almost" cool.

 

The Sanchez Stude always impressed me.
I had planned to replicate the swept back fender line on mine, using '37 Ford headlights. Their shape is very similar to the '53 nose.

 

I'm digging this 'shop but agree about the roof. Maybe a modified roof from a '58 -'60 T-bird with narrowed B pillars? The semi squared off look might compliment the radiator/grill area. Btw the headlight buckets really accent the front. Me likee!

 

I would be careful about adding too many elements from the T-bird. If you are not carefull it will look like those goofy 2 seat T-Bird kit cars they used to sell.
Nice job on the photo shop James.

 

Excellant Photoshop work James!

My suggestions would be:
1) use Studebaker bumpers, they're flatter. try to show a little of the rear bumper.
2) move the parklights slightly more to the outside.
3) put wire wheels on it

Dave.

ps: The top looks much better now.

 

Still trying to figure out which model this started out as. It´s missing the swages in the sides and doors. Was it a `56 Silver Hawk maybe? But then it has aquired the wrong trunklid from somewhere? Or some of the other parts maybe?

 

Stude fins were just a bolt-on deal, and those, hoods, and deck lids all interchange between every year they made them.

 

Interesting take on the fins here...

 

Have had those toughts for years. And now i got a 61 Hawk and a couple of 1960 caddy taillights. Maybe i might get this done someday

 

Think Fireball 500 type car.