Am I Crazy to want to fix this?

That car looks to be in far better shape than what half the projects here on the HAMB look like in their "here's my new project" photos.
Unless the drivers side is banged up it looks like most of the missing pieces are bolt on pieces. Take off the doner car, clean up an bolt on the convert. Yep it needs a top but the bows and framework look good and almost all old convert projects need new tops when you get them, just ask HRLC.
I see no reason that you can't take that car to any level you want to provided you want to put out the effort and spend a bit of cash. There are pro builders here on the board that would love to see that body show up at their shops rather than some of the stuff they get on a regular basis.

 

I see yer avatar is Stude, plus those hupcaps on the wall. You'll like the '52 and older style just as much as the newer Studes, (or more!). I think they're about the best looking car from that era...but i am sure all don't share that opinion.

My 52 was worse shape. Build it anyway you want to, but build it.

 

Saving ANOTHER Stude is downright wrong...but then again, most Stude owners NEVER listened to anyone else...!!!

Go for it...

R-

 

Do It!!
What do you care what others like? Your alternative would be what? Everyone has a glass 32 or 34 Ford, or Tri 5 Chevy. Ton of pick-ups out there, not an excess of Studes, especially a rag top.
Just my opinion and that only counts with me!

 

Here's my coupe as I found it....and how it looks right now. Maybe this will make you feel better...

 

build it and then drive it but don't give any of your car club buddies a ride in it...if it makes you happy and inspires you start wrenchin'

 

it sounds like your rich club buddies like to buy finished cars, build it, show them how to do it. have fun and drink some beer!

 

get it up on wheels, and get yer parts together, if you get it driving you probably wont see another stoody rag top at the cruises. convertables are safe to sink your $$ into.

 

I remmember buddies giving me crap about getting a 50' Buick 2dr fastbak, and my 61' Pontiac Bonnie, bikini top, also the 2 model A 2dr tub bodies stacked together in a garage . [many moons ago.]

 

If you have the skills to build it...do it. If you have to hire it out, maybe don't. I can see it as a period mild custom with a Caddy and hydromatic, lowered with a retro color paint job and Moon discs.
Properly advertised, I'm guessing you could make a tidy profit on your "scrap metal" investment. Bottom line is any 50's convertible shell like that has value and is desirable to someone, somewhere.
Also, you need to start hanging around with guys with greater vision.

 

your not crazy your just car crazy

 

That's gonna be one wicked cool ride

 

I didn't read through all the comments on here, but that looks like a very nice car to me.
I would love to find a 57 chevy conv thats as good as that.

 

I just did a google search for that year car. You really need to build it, they are crazy good looking!

 

I don't think you'll miss on this one. It's a '50 Stude, too cool to pass up.


THEY WILL CHANGE THEIR MINDS WHEN YOU MAKE IT HAPPEN.

 

great score dude! any ragtop is worth the effort regaurdless of make. my 58' plymouth convertable is "without floorbords" and it will be saved.

 

It looks like a real solid start indeed!

In fact, not only does it look like it has nothing worse off that light surface rust, but it also sounds like your club member are a bunch of pussies that are afraid of anything more than a bolt-on chrome doo-dad and should be kicked in the nuts for oppressing you. Or else they are doubting your ability and have no faith in you.

 

As the owner of four studes. You can never have enough and its a convert.

 

I heard Studebakers suck. I wouldn't do it.

 

My 48 champ convertible is way rougher than that one!

 

That Stude is cool and it doesnt look that bad. If you think you can do the job why bother about the comments ? they might be jealous ....

 

i'd say your crazy if you dont grab it

 

man ive seen way worse off cars brought back from the dead , fire up the welder and build it , also post pictures so we can watch it come back together

 

That's not Rough.

This is Rough...

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=264257

 

around here, that car would be considered mint....
seriously,,,if you bring that back, you will have a lot to be proud of,,much more satisfying than just buying one already done,,even if you had the $$

 

get on it boy! i've been jonesing for a bullit nose stude for a long time!!

 

Are you crazy? Yes.

Of course you are crazy. Anyone who works or attempts to work on old cars is off their rocker. Including myself.

Should you build it? Yes.

If you dig it, build it. As long as you realize it is way way cheaper to buy one "done right" then to build one, and are cool with that from the get go.

It doesn't always have to be about money and what things are worth. It sounds like you are in it for the passion, so go for it.
We did a lot of work on a 1952 Stude Champion convertible for a customer. A really cool car. We put all the old speed equipment on it like an old aluminum racing head, duel carbs, split manifolds, etc etc A really cool nice car.

FUNNY STORY: My customer came out one morning and Phil Jackson, the Laker Coach, was sitting in his car. Phil said he just couldn't help himself.

Have fun
wil
www.sakowskimotors.com

p.s. Studebaker Parts in Long Beach has a lot of parts for your car.

 

You are right. Anybody can write a check. Takes balls to build a car. Most pilots I work with are also afraid to get their hands dirty

 

Some people are lazy dumb shits who think a car is too rough because you actually have to paint it and put it together, you can't just buff the paint, wash it and wax it, give it a tuneup and go. I hear from douchebags like that on a regular basis on eBay, and I usually tell them to put it where the sun doesn't shine.

I've sold actual rough convertibles, cars that were damned near broken in two in the middle, or in one case a car so bad I cut the quarters off because there was no frame left behind the axle, to guys who find ways to build them. And sold them for damned good money, most for $1500 and up. We have a Stude now just like that, but haven't had any luck with it - compared to ours yours is like a brand new car. It should be easy to build, the hard stuff looks to have already been done.

Getting that for a scrap price is a steal and a half, you could probably tack it together and flip it and make 3-5 times your money on it, if all the convert stuff is there.

 

Hot rod studes rule. I ve got a 56 stude pickup that I drove to high school many many years ago and also a 47-51 starlight coupe morph project that I am working on for myself. Car is worth doing and really not that rough at all. I like hot rodding the studes because they are different and there are alot of stude purists around here that hate that I will cut one up or slam it on the ground. Love to show up to their events and park next to them.