Custom Cory, I gotta tell ya... You were the first cat that spoke to me when I came on the HAMB. You PM'd me about a '40 ford design I had rendered in scale (Plastic.) A lot of folks think a '40 Ford can't be improved, but you stepped up on the same page. Thanks for years of Customology!
I also like Rik's revised quarter window treatment. I took it another step and hardtopped the glass. Much more involved, but when you're trying to slick an already slippery Stude, you gotta go that extra mile. Plus I REALLY like the way it mimics the signature Stude reveal on the side.
^^^ if it was going to have 18in wheels that look works...but for more of an early 50's feel it needs the 1/4 windows IMO. If the fins were extended a little...would '40 Stude tail-lights fit 'Mo?
The '41 Stude tailights are a great idea, fleet-master. All the same, this must remain a low (NO) budget build. The fins will indeed need extending (capping). I have one set of '50 Ford tail lights/windsplits. I can see these working in pairs. '55 Plymouth are under consideration. If I were to go fin-less, then frenched '56 Packard lenses are a no-brain'er. The complexity of curvature introduced by the Hawk fins gives pause for Bob Metz league inspiration.
just a personal thing...but I'm bordering on hating those Packard t/lights...toooo 80's-90's for me just sayin as for headlights..instead of 37 Ford units...how bout 1940 Stude units flipped upside down? just thinkin out loud .
...those options for the quarter windows are the tits. The only thing that bothers me visually is the placement of the back glass. To me it looks too high and like it's going to float away. I had the same thing happen when my Lincoln was chopped and I had to lower the backglass and surround about 1 1/2" toward the top of the trunk. A cool piece like that should see the light of day more often.....
A real beauty, for sure. Was it still sporting the red velvet interior, or the chromed-up six motor, when you saw it? Wild stuff, for its time!
Thanks, fleet-master! The real kicker is, the car was originally built as a drag racer, with a 1959 Pontiac 389 (and Hydro), installed new from the crate! (Yes, it's still in the car.) It had split wishbone traction bars, driveshaft safety hoop, electric fuel pump, etc., and was still wearing dry-rotted M&H pie-crusts. Workmanship was marginal (at best). I bought it back when nobody could care less, and paid less than $500. As Paul Harvey used to say "Now you know...the rest of the story!"
Wow, I just love the lines on this ride. This car looks great even at this stage!! It would be awesome to see it done with your hands!! Nice work!
That's a nice thought, 51 Leadsled. Thank you for saying so. That is indeed a beautiful Stude! I remember Hot Rod Magazine Bonneville coverage in the sixties in which five different '53 -(ish) Studes were pictured. The one that really grabbed me was the Sanchez/Cagle entry, with near streamliner styling. At 210 MPH, I believe they were the first to crack 200 in a "door slammer", but blew up the motor on the return. Shortly afterward, AMT introduced the '53 Stude model car , featuring a severely chopped top/no headlight Bonneville build option. Though a Starlight (hard-top) coupe, the inspiration was pretty obvious. This car does not have the nice windshield rake of the car above, but was killer in its day! A few years later, the Pisano Bros. (also in a '53 Stude) became the first to break 200 MPH in a full-fendered, stock bodied car.
Cool car! The fact that it has caught the attention of Rik, James D and all the other great guys tells me that you need to take it to the next stage.
The Jalopy Journal
