Well I got a new hobby starting today....

[stude31]

I have made the commitment to restoring my two 1956 Studebakers.  In late June of this year I bought a four door 1956 Studebaker President.  This is a car that you don't see too often on the road it is in good shape except it needs fenders (I have a New Old Stock set to put on her, and an engine.  (working on that part).



The car has a V8 289 STUDEBAKER engine (not a ford).



I managed to find a good parts car with tons of N.O.S parts out in Virginia.  So I headed east on Sept 4th and made it to wdValks motel in Harrisburg,VA (where he is working at the time being)  Yeah working hard eh? 



So we get there and load up the car and all the parts.  My 1ton was loaded down with three engines and a bunch of parts.  The car was loaded down too.



We made it home safe and I now have the parts car in the garage:



I also have a 2dr Studebaker President which will be my next project.  I am saving most of the NOS parts for it since no one has seen one restored.  This is a hard car to find.  It will be an off the body restoration but...  here are some of the chrome parts that I have managed to collect over the past 10 years.





I have many more parts but you get the idea.  I have focused solely on my Valkyries since falling in love with my first one 99 I/S in 2006 then in 2009 I bought another Valk (thanks to JimL).  So I don't have anything else to do to my bikes so now I am moving on to another hobby that I have neglected.   

No worries about working on valkyries I think Bark2 is going to keep me busy since his first bike he has now owned four.  And the great group of the kanas VRCC members will always be around for me to work on their bikes     

So if you don't see me post much that is why for the most part.  I enjoy and embrace the knowledge and friendship this group has reflected towards me and I hope I can continue to give back in a manner that the group has given me.  I can't wait for InZane next year.  I will be trailering my bike down... (yeah I know it's only 300 miles (or about) but the following week is the National Studebaker Meet in South Bend, IN and I am planning on having my car done and will be pulling my valk behind my Stude!! 

Lots of work ahead of me but if you want to follow the project... look no further than photobucket:

http://s761.photobucket.com/albums/xx252/stude31/Studebaker%20Cars/

Ride safe and enjoy your day...   I have a tire to put on my valk this morning

Stude31 

[Misfit]

 

[ChromeDome]

Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeet!!! 

[John Schmidt]

Some years ago I ran into a client that had a restored Studebaker he said came with a supercharger. Don't recall the model he had but it sure would run. Said he did all the work himself, was a dr. of some sort. Must have been at least 25 yrs. ago so don't recall the details. He also had an Avanti his parents bought new and handed down. I'd love to find a decent Stude pickup but I keep getting overruled on new projects. The vote is always 1 to 1 so can't figure out why I'm coming in second. 

I'd love to see that finished project some day, keep up informed.

[stude31]

I'd love to find a decent Stude pickup

Funny you should mention that John..  One of the Studebaker Driver's Club members is selling his 49 3/4 ton pick up for a cheap price.  Check it out:
http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/2602615635.html

yeah I am anxious to get this car done.  My boss was born in 1956 and he wants to go for a ride in it when I am done.  He said he wants to buy the dice to hang in the mirror.   I tell you what the studebaker club members is another very classy group of folks.  I enjoy both groups and so proud to be apart of the two of them...  I will keep you posted.

to add a bit to the topic... here is a neat photo you might appreciate:

[Gary]

Very nice, now that will take up your available time & $$$.

I've always had a thing for the old Studebaker style, especially the trucks, always thought I'd be sporting one... someday.

The Gran Turismo's use to tickle the fancy.

Good luck and keep us posted. 

[R J]

Stude - How did your buddy make out in Rapid City, SD?

Would like to hear an update.

My cousin, he had a Funeral Home here in Iowa had nothing but Studebaker's for the Funeral vehicles.    I remember he used to drive a President, and he had several little 4 door's.  He used them for pall bearers to get from the FH to the Cemetery.   He also had 2 stretch limos for family, they added another door and seat, it would hold 3 in rear seat, 2 in fold downs, 3 in the middle seat and 1 in the front seat.

Back then they also used the FH for ambulance calls.     He had a modified Stude 3/4 ton van for that.    Don't know what he did to the motor but I know 1 thing, it would fly...........  Had to throw out an anchor for brakes, the ones on it sucked. It had a red gum-ball on top and a Fire Truck siren on the right front fender.

[old2soon]

Some years ago I ran into a client that had a restored Studebaker he said came with a supercharger. Don't recall the model he had but it sure would run. Said he did all the work himself, was a dr. of some sort. Must have been at least 25 yrs. ago so don't recall the details. He also had an Avanti his parents bought new and handed down. I'd love to find a decent Stude pickup but I keep getting overruled on new projects. The vote is always 1 to 1 so can't figure out why I'm coming in second. 

I'd love to see that finished project some day, keep up informed.

  Stole this from Hedgehog-something about SheWhoMustBeObeyed pops into mind. You know-kinda like an automatic tie breaker.  Start the pre apologies now and do what you want. The fact that you live in Fl and i live in Mo might have a little something to do with the advice i offer. RIDE SAFE.

[Cruzen]

As a former member and officer in the Desert Classic Chevy club dedicated to Tri Five Chevy’s, I FULLY understand the scope of your project.  I would image your job will be more difficult because the parts are actually much easier to get for my Chevy’s.  I found some of the drive train and brake parts to be available through NAPA and Checker Auto.  Not sure if you need to be a Facebook member or not but you can see some images of my 55 Chevy plated DADHAD1 at:
http://www.facebook.com/media/albums/?id=100001784281123

Years ago I toured the old Studebaker plant in Indiana.  I believe it was last used in building the Avanti.  I believe it was also used in the filming of the Tucker movie.

We have an active Studebaker club out here in Arizona and I will try and get info and forward it to you.  I have two friends who have them.  One bought his already restored.  The other did his own restoration. Both are two door models.  I do wonder why you are doing the 4 door first as I would imagine the 2 door would have more value and if something happens and you only complete one car wouldn’t it be better to have the 2 door complete?

Good luck with your projects.

[Spirited-6]

STUDE 31 , You are a BRAVE, BRAVE MAN. Good workings in your restore. May your head aches be few. 

[old2soon]

stude31-while most folks go with chevy-ford-mopar you sir head off in another direction. I will be wishing you a lot of luck. Have some fond memories of Golden Hawks and Silver Hawks and one of my all time favorites-the Avanti. Those Avantis still look good today. This be a good case of doing your own thing. RIDE SAFE.

[Hoser]

Some years ago I ran into a client that had a restored Studebaker he said came with a supercharger. Don't recall the model he had but it sure would run. Said he did all the work himself, was a dr. of some sort. Must have been at least 25 yrs. ago so don't recall the details. He also had an Avanti his parents bought new and handed down. I'd love to find a decent Stude pickup but I keep getting overruled on new projects. The vote is always 1 to 1 so can't figure out why I'm coming in second.  

I'd love to see that finished project some day, keep up informed.

I think the 58 stude had a supercharger on its silver eagle coupe.  I had a gal friend in Corpus Christi whos dad had a 58 Packard golden eagle coupe that had a supercharger, it was a Stude clone, both companies had merged for thier swan song in later years.  Hoser 

[Bark2]

No worries about working on valkyries I think Bark2 is going to keep me busy since his first bike he has now owned four.    

Shhhhsh! I don't want the wife to know! 

It may be easier to find you now though!! 

I'll be riding over to check out your garage and basement soon.   

[tybme]

You can't have Studebaker's in the garage! Where will I leave my bike for weeks on end?

Enjoy your latest project buddy and if you need any muscle let me know - I'm only 10 minutes away.

[Walküre]

Nice, nice NICE!!! And a really unusual project car!

I always like the 1955 President, as well as the "bullet nose" coupes or convertibles. Never had one, though. Dad had a '51 4-door bullet (with super-cool suicide doors!), in Hawaii, when I was growing up. Traded a tape recorder for it. First car I ever drove, at 9 or 10.

I have you bookmarked - keep us posted on updates. It's amazing that you found NOS parts, since it's such a rare car to begin with!

I'm getting anxious to get back on my '51 Ford F-2 3/4T truck - the radiator is on it's way, and that's the next step - motor should be going soon after I get that.

R

[czuch]

Nice project. I had a McCulloch blower on a 58 pick-up in New Mexico.
Bought it at a Chevy dealer when the salesman said " Who'd buy that? I told him me.  Paid like 700 in 77.

[stude31]

Nice project. I had a McCulloch blower on a 58 pick-up in New Mexico.
Bought it at a Chevy dealer when the salesman said " Who'd buy that? I told him me.  Paid like 700 in 77.

The individual that I bought the car in Virginia (passed away, friend was selling the stuff for the widow), had a fully rebuilt super charger (mcCulloch) but I didn't want/need it.  Those things are hard on motors and I wanted to keep my cars "original" to the best that I could.  The super charger was on several different studebakers from larks to hawks so it wasn't significant to one model.  I could have bought it cheap but I wanted it to go to someone else that would be deserving of a good buy so I told a buddy that lived out that way about it and they bought it for around 600 so it was a steal of a deal since all the parts were with it and the SC was in excellent shape and so was the blower.

None the less great story CZUCH...

To the one that asked why I am restoring the four door instead of the two door first... well I could say "cause I want to"     But in all honesty this is my first restoration project and I want to work out the kinks and most scenarios with the four door in hopes that I can do the 2dr to the best that it can be done.  Another more practical reason is the four door is much closer to a completion and able to get it on the road versus the 2dr the 2dr needs a lot of time and I would rather be able to drive one while I finish the other....  So good question but regardless both cars are becoming rare.


@Walküre:   I am looking forward to seeing your project complete as well.  Keep us posted.  I think there is a good crowd here that enjoys the older cars and seeing them from heading to the recycler to pristine condition.  

@Hoser:  I believe you are referring to a "Packard Golden Hawk" not a Packard Silver Hawk Coupe.  

@Tybme:  Careful what you volunteer for... You just might be getting a call. 

[¿spoom]

Good on you stude Sold my Avanti last year, so no more Stude for me 'cept for my belt buckle and tie tack. At one time Studebaker owned McCulloch and Paxton, as wel as Andy Granatelli & STP. Already near-foundering when they merged with Packard, they had limited dollars for development in the late 50's/early 60's so blowing  the existing engines was a good source of cheap horsepower. The std R1 Avanti's normally aspirated 289 was rated at 240HP, while the R2 w/blower was 335hp with little else changed. The R2 option was available on the little 4 door Larks and more than a few were sold as part of a Police Package. THAT was a smoken little wolf in sheep's clothing. Buddy of mine had one. Some of the late 1950's Hawks had  blown 289s with around 270-280hp prior to the eventual 335hp R2 build.

[Dave Ritsema]

Very nice. Just remember you have a Studebaker connection in South Bend, if you ever need anything. My wife has family that worked there, one of them was part of the "dirty dozen", last 12 guys to work before they closed the doors.

[Gear Jammer]

I'll stay away Joe           

[Hoser]

You are correct about the Packard, the girl's dad would never let us drive it anyway!    Hoser

[stude31]

Good on you stude Sold my Avanti last year, so no more Stude for me 'cept for my belt buckle and tie tack. At one time Studebaker owned McCulloch and Paxton, as wel as Andy Granatelli & STP. Already near-foundering when they merged with Packard, they had limited dollars for development in the late 50's/early 60's so blowing  the existing engines was a good source of cheap horsepower. The std R1 Avanti's normally aspirated 289 was rated at 240HP, while the R2 w/blower was 335hp with little else changed. The R2 option was available on the little 4 door Larks and more than a few were sold as part of a Police Package. THAT was a smoken little wolf in sheep's clothing. Buddy of mine had one. Some of the late 1950's Hawks had  blown 289s with around 270-280hp prior to the eventual 335hp R2 build.

Spoom... the first thought that comes to mind about the four door lark as that it was referred to as a "Brown Bag" Lark or something like that.  It just goes to show just how diversified our VRCC is.  I think it's great that I can relate and remember hearing talks from other Studebaker enthusiasts to history that I have done and to hear you talk about it is fantastic.  It is a shame that we lost Studebaker as a automobile maker, and since we have lost many "american made" manufacturers.  Ie..  Buick, Oldsmobile, and Pontiac are the newest ones to that list.  What a shame...

@Dave Ritsema:  Thank you and I may take you up on that sometime.  I would love to visit with your family members that worked in the Studebaker company that would be awesome!

@Gear Jammer:  It's parked where you parked your Valk   uh oh.....

[Gear Jammer]

Good on you stude Sold my Avanti last year, so no more Stude for me 'cept for my belt buckle and tie tack. At one time Studebaker owned McCulloch and Paxton, as wel as Andy Granatelli & STP. Already near-foundering when they merged with Packard, they had limited dollars for development in the late 50's/early 60's so blowing  the existing engines was a good source of cheap horsepower. The std R1 Avanti's normally aspirated 289 was rated at 240HP, while the R2 w/blower was 335hp with little else changed. The R2 option was available on the little 4 door Larks and more than a few were sold as part of a Police Package. THAT was a smoken little wolf in sheep's clothing. Buddy of mine had one. Some of the late 1950's Hawks had  blown 289s with around 270-280hp prior to the eventual 335hp R2 build.

Spoom... the first thought that comes to mind about the four door lark as that it was referred to as a "Brown Bag" Lark or something like that.  It just goes to show just how diversified our VRCC is.  I think it's great that I can relate and remember hearing talks from other Studebaker enthusiasts to history that I have done and to hear you talk about it is fantastic.  It is a shame that we lost Studebaker as a automobile maker, and since we have lost many "american made" manufacturers.  Ie..  Buick, Oldsmobile, and Pontiac are the newest ones to that list.  What a shame...

@Dave Ritsema:  Thank you and I may take you up on that sometime.  I would love to visit with your family members that worked in the Studebaker company that would be awesome!

@Gear Jammer:  It's parked where you parked your Valk   uh oh.....

Hmm, I don't remember MAGNUM marking it's territory there,,,,,