Hello all, A good friend turned me on to the site. I have been reading the hamb for a few months. I just joined up. I am from Pennsylvania. Looking forward to meeting up with new people, reading up on cars, learning new tips, and shows. I own a 1953 Studebaker Starliner and a 1954 Chevrolet Sport Coupe. Have a p***ion for 20's thru the 60's cars.
Hello oldcarguygazok, Thank you for the compliment. The 54 Chevrolet caught fire in 2007 about 2 months after getting married. Car backfired thru the carbs, burnt the top of the engine and hood. Car sat for 6 years. A year after receiving divorce papers, I started working on it. The cars have helped me thru some tough times. Working on them in the garage, or driving them down the road helped take my mind of the rotten side of life.
Welcome from CT! I worked for Stamford Studebaker back in 1962. I was 15 and worked on Saturdays helping out. 53"s are cool!
ct1932ford, Enjoyed reading your biography. I love the top on the 1932. That car looks not only correct, but also fun.
1953naegle, This winter I'm going to make upgrades on the 1954 chevrolet. I've made many upgrades on it in the last 13 years while driving it. The powerglide and rearend are going to go. Going to do a 3 or 4 speed automatic, with s-10 rearend. Car sceams going down the road and needs an extra gear or two for the transmission. Gear box is shot and will be installing a rack n pinion in it with original front end. Upgraded the suspension years ago and added disc brakes and dual master cylinder. I like the upgrades that are well hidden under the body, and still has the old look on the outside. I'm looking forward to longer and more dependable cruises next year. Body needs some repairing also. Rust bubbles have came out of the bottom 4 inches of the car pretty bad.
I know what you mean. I'm keeping the powerglide in mine but it's mainly a town cruzer. If I do get on the highway I have to keep it below 55mph. Between 55 and 65 the whole car vibrates like crazy, but from there up it's suprizingly smooth. Definantly not good for the engine though. Tops I ever got with it was 80mpg at the end of a loooong stretch. I did read in the shop manual last night that it should switch gears at 15mph, mine has always switched at 20 for some reason. Oh I need this thing on the road again!
1953naegle, My powerglide shifts out at 8-10 miles an hour. I shift in manually from Low to High to balance it out. I was going to play with the linkage your talking about, never got around to it. The highway speed thing is a killer. Car is almost hitting 4ooo rpms at 70. The car cruising down the highway at 50 is the sweet spot. Handles good, rpms down, steering managable. Add 10 miles an hour more, and things start to change. I can understand "needing this thing on the road again". My car sat for 6 years and untouched. Glad with some modivation from a few good friends, and attending a few car shows, the fire got lit again. 1450 miles of fun in it from June-November. Good times.
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