Customs Studebaker 1953-55 Customs! Was there any cool ones??

There was a 53-54 unfinished convert for sale in the north end of Seattle about 15 years ago. The seller claimed to have documentation it was built by Barris. Anybody remember it or know what happened to it?

 

WoW! Freakin' Awesome, 179.00 mph on $5,700.00 bucks!..WoW!

 

Saw it at the Wally Parks NHRA museum and it is Beautiful.

 

I see your join date as March 2001, in that time you've had 8 posts...mmmm.
Where have you been? To answer your question, rat-rodded is not custom.
This racer (with original patina) is cool because he is doing a lot on a small budget, but I wouldn't call it a rat-rod. And this look is anything BUT custom. Please go back and re-read the last 9 1/2 years that you apparently missed.

 

There are a lot of REALLY nice Studes in this thread, but that red convertible is absolutely amazing. Might be one my top-10 customs. I love the colors and the wire wheels.

 

If this car wasn't so busy racing down the track at Maxton, you might even call it a custom. Great body work. It also is driven off the track. Got any more pictures of the rest of the car. I'm sure folks here would love to see 'em.

 

The Nelsons are one great family. They are also putting together a Lark to run in the Grassroots Motorsports Challenge. They have, over the years, put several different cars together to enter this annual contest. They do all the work themselves and the majority of the parts are flea market stuff or stuff that is fabricated at home.

 

Barris did a convertible, I saw the car for sale about 10 years ago in Canada. Not very custom but it was neat. Pretty sure it was Barris. Here's what I'm doing...

 

So far, I'm liking this one the best. But honestly, the one you are considering is already pretty nice. Almost could just leave it alone or just do some real simple easy things.

 

Man, that's clean looking. I might do something like that.

 

Sad to say i missed that Stude so i bought me a 50 De Soto instead!

 

These are all i have of this stude joe. There are subtle little touches all over it. Even the glass is flush mounted and it looks factory. 56 buick tailights too.

 

Anybody have any pic`s of the one in Ohio from the 80`s with a heavy chop-in primmer-with scallops. He then bought the Lil Miss Vicky-51 Ford.

 

That's too bad. That was a pretty nice looking one too. I would have loved to have gotten that car. Hope it went to some good hands.

 

I'm not sure if either of these are the ones you are talking about stan.

The first one belonged to HAMBer Skate Fink quite some time ago. I thought I had pictures of it in primer, but all I could find are pictures of it yellow. I don't think that Skate Fink is from the Midwest, I think he's from the east coast. I have video of his car as well at one of the Leadsleds back in about '84 or '85.

The other Stude belongs to Kris Harness from Wichita. I really don't know much of the history of it, but somebody chopped the hell out of it. I was lucky enough to meet Kris and see the car in person back at the 20th Leadsled Spectacular in Wichita back in 2000. I'm not a tall guy at all, and I towered over this kar. Kris is a pretty tall guy, and it was kind of comical to watch such a lanky guy crawl out of such a low car!

These are two of my favorite heavily chopped Studebakers. I'd love to get one some day, but finding one that is in saveable condition can be pricey.............E

 

It had spotlights-4-bar flippers and was chopped about that much. The scallop job was real mild-aroundthe hood opening and on the side concave. I guess I just wanted people to see a few that were chopped.I never liked the pic`s of the green one(Gerb`s and Liz`s)listed above. I think A more of A side profile shows it off much better.

 

Solid '53 & '54 Coupes can be pricey but the 55's don't bring near as much money because of the front grille. If you can tolerate the "fishmouth" grille they can be a real good buy.

 

That's good to know. I'll have to make a note of that. IF a guy were to find a '55, will a '53 or '54 front clip fit? Thanks.............E

 

Yes, The 53 front clip will fit a 55, in fact all the body parts (front and rear fenders, hoods and trunks) will interchange from 53 up to 61. Trim holes need to be addressed and after 56 the doors do not have the scallop. Grills need to be matched accordingly. There was a very solid 54 hardtop roller at the Sacramento swap meet for $2800. I will check to see if it sold and post info here if it didn't.

Pat

 

Yes it is still available, send me a message or post here if interested and I will get the sellers number to you.

Pat

 

Sharp land speed Stude from Loring Timing Assoc race last week ... Charles Venable, "the Cajun Kid" built it and it went 165 mph ... Joe

 

Seldom seen Stude.

 

Seldom seen... if you dont count Ebay and other auction sites!!!

 

So what is the current price?

 

If it's the same car, I saw this in Branson, Mo. last year. Had to give the guy a ride to Wally World on Sunday to get a new battery!
I'm with the "leave it alone they're cool stock" crowd, but this one is a neat mild custom.

 

This was mine ... had to let it go ......... chopped, laid back windshield and a BUNCH more ........ and a BIG-BLOCK that FIT under the stock hood......

....... Jersey Skip

 

Does anyone out there have a copy of the dick dean chop article?or if anyone want to scan it and share .I just picked up a 58 and want to gentlemans chop it and fit a 54 front .

 

Seldom seen means what?
That full blown custom 53 is the dogs!

 

I have a copy of it. The one I have is a copy of a copy I think and it does not scan very well. I could make a paper copy and send it to you if you like. My 53 was chopped using that article, but being a coupe versus a hardtop, there was a lot more involved. The hard tops are much easier to do. FYI, I was not the one who chopped mine but I have talked at length with the man who did it.

Send me a PM with your address.

Pat

 

Seldom do you see someone doing a full custom job on the C/K Studes.
I think the early show pics. of the car are pretty cool. The latter photos look like hell with it standing up in the air, and the car needing restored.