Ok guys. Here's my well-rotted '52 Studebaker Commander Starliner hardtop. The front end has been cut out, and there's some sort of Mopar subframe 'installed'. I've been pondering parting it out, as it's too far gone for a restoration. (That I'd want to undertake, at least). Thing is, there aren't that many good parts left either. But the idea of a traditional style hot rod seems feasable. Another frame wouldn't be a problem, we've got a few '52 parts cars. So, what would you do? Get creative on this one. Here's what an original would look like.
It could be fixed, but it's rough. Floors, trunk, and bottom of all the body panels are gone. But, of course, still fixable.
Ok... So fix it up? Looking at some of the other projects on here, this thing wouldn't be too bad at all. Well, not restoring it to bone stock, what mods would you make, and in what "style" would you build it? What neat little things would you do to make it unique? (Unique even for a Studebaker)
Hmm... a straight axle g***er does kinda fit the bill... JohnnyG, that really doesn't look too bad! My daily driver is this '59. Maybe you could photoshop a '52 front onto it?
im really not all that good w photoshop. theres others on here that could do better. i have my son in my hands now so im a little dissabled right now. ill see what i can do though. i always thought studes looked cool because they were so goofy looking. so if combining these two you make something goofy, remember they looked goofy from the factory.
the 52 hardtop is a one year only bodystyle, pretty rare, but as anybody who knows studes knows, rare doesn't mean valuable! nonetheless, i'd build it. i'd go leadlsled. now if i had a 51 business coupe, that'd be a *****in g***er...
That's a parts car?!? A '52 would make a nice mild custom, slammed, do something about the grille, 289.. or keep the 232, or whatever it was. With a manual trans you can get around 25 MPG out of them.. drive it all over -
So, what would you do? Get creative on this one. As is, the front end looks like one of those Japanese tin robot toys. Run with that.
That is a gewm compaired to the items I have benn messing with. this is my stude project I am working on now. This is rusty.
Man you kids have all the luck. Whatever you do paint it orange like the Scotty. Find you an old Police Car and get the drive train for that mopar stub. For something a bit different, Checkout the CarreraPanAmerica site, and do up Mexican Road race Special clone.
looks like it has a aspen or volare' clip in it,can't install air bags but slamming it should be easy with the torsion bars. drop some drivetrain in it and cruise it. then go for the body mods, get a side view posted so it can be photoshoped.
Matt, have you checked this thread yet? Kind of simple mild custom pictured. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=229534 See ya on StudeFolk.
My Stude Was My Daily Till I Tore It Apart A Week Ago To Do The Body. Its Goin Back The Same Blue With A White Frame And Blue N White Flake Vynil Interior. Drivin To Vegas For The Viva Show, So It Should Be A Fun Trip!
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