AMT '53 Studebaker Starliner

[rightrudder]

My latest styrene fix: this pretty little Raymond Loewy coupe. It's one of the AMT Auto Art Stamp Series, comes in a tin, and there are parts for three versions; stock, custom and land speed record monster. I'm gonna go mainly stock and use just a few interior custom pieces (front buckets, center console, etc) and paint it up in nonstandard but classy colors. Pretty neat that there are two complete engines in the kit, stocker and fire-breathing twin-blower Hemi, so saving the Hemi for future project. Ya know, the front of the blower could pass for a smaller centrifugal supercharger with a little work, so I might try to fit it to the stocker along with some induction plumbing.

So far, just exploring the kit. Hood fits very well (and is hinged!) and front spindles have three holes apiece so you can stick the axle where you want for the desired ride height. Also separate tie rods and idler arm for steerability. Great dash detail, but tub interior is just so-so. I trial-fit the chassis, body and tub together and it all aligns nicely. Will post some more pics when I get the engine together.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[TooOld]

Looks like a really nice kit , thanks for posting photos of the parts ! 

[chris chabre]

I have the Mr Speed version of this kit and ALWAYS forget that it has the stock and mild stuff in it. The wheels and hubcaps were very commonly used on customs and street cars, and more than a few Stude motors ended up in hot rods.

Edited February 8, 2022 by chris chabre

[customline]

11 hours ago, rightrudder said:

My latest styrene fix: this pretty little Raymond Loewy coupe. It's one of the AMT Auto Art Stamp Series, comes in a tin, and there are parts for three versions; stock, custom and land speed record monster. I'm gonna go mainly stock and use just a few interior custom pieces (front buckets, center console, etc) and paint it up in nonstandard but classy colors. Pretty neat that there are two complete engines in the kit, stocker and fire-breathing twin-blower Hemi, so saving the Hemi for future project. Ya know, the front of the blower could pass for a smaller centrifugal supercharger with a little work, so I might try to fit it to the stocker along with some induction plumbing.

So far, just exploring the kit. Hood fits very well (and is hinged!) and front spindles have three holes apiece so you can stick the axle where you want for the desired ride height. Also separate tie rods and idler arm for steerability. Great dash detail, but tub interior is just so-so. I trial-fit the chassis, body and tub together and it all aligns nicely. Will post some more pics when I get the engine together.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I've been wanting this kit and almost ordered one from HL but then I read the note below saying "you may not receive...." I was wondering about the "salt" option. How is the chopped roof accomplished? In the photo above the body has it's stock height roof. Is a chopped roof included in the kit?

[JJ Deuce]

Adding this to my watchlist.  I've started a couple of these kits but never finished one.  My father's first car was a '54 Commander, so I should finally get one done someday.  Love the lines of this car, and I always liked the kit.

[TarheelRick]

48 minutes ago, customline said:

How is the chopped roof accomplished? In the photo above the body has it's stock height roof. Is a chopped roof included in the kit?

If this kit is a true repop of the original there will be cut marks inside the roof A & C posts.  There will also be a cut down glass piece that replaces the stock glass.  It is a "simple" process of cutting, gluing, puttying, and finishing.  Instruction sheet covers the process.  Looking forward to your build. I have a couple of these and am planning on a "salty" one, probably the only part of the kit will be sheetmetal.

[rightrudder]

1 hour ago, TarheelRick said:

If this kit is a true repop of the original there will be cut marks inside the roof A & C posts.  There will also be a cut down glass piece that replaces the stock glass.  It is a "simple" process of cutting, gluing, puttying, and finishing.  Instruction sheet covers the process.  Looking forward to your build. I have a couple of these and am planning on a "salty" one, probably the only part of the kit will be sheetmetal.

Yes, that's exactly it. I looked at the bodyshell and the cut marks are there. Not only is there separate cut-down glass, but there are two sets, molded in both clear and crazy clear orange! Same goes for the salt flats hood--clear and orange, but I'm sure most would paint it body color like the rendering. Also, there is an extra white styrene roof panel that's no doubt a better fit when you go for the chopped option.

Body molding is really nice...shouldn't take too much cleanup. There are a couple divots along one of the rocker panels where it was ripped from the sprue--I hate that!--but they will putty up nicely.

 

[rightrudder]

7 hours ago, TooOld said:

Looks like a really nice kit , thanks for posting photos of the parts ! 

Sure! I'll post a few more parts shots later today.

[rightrudder]

Here's some more. I already threw away all the weird orange glass, so no pics!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[mrm]

I picked up the same kit from Wallmart. I still can not decide if I want it chopped or not. 

[bisc63]

It still amazes me that this is a 1953 automobile. Compare this to the '53 Ford or '53 Bel-Air body styles! Incredible styling.

[customline]

10 hours ago, TarheelRick said:

If this kit is a true repop of the original there will be cut marks inside the roof A & C posts.  There will also be a cut down glass piece that replaces the stock glass.  It is a "simple" process of cutting, gluing, puttying, and finishing.  Instruction sheet covers the process.  Looking forward to your build. I have a couple of these and am planning on a "salty" one, probably the only part of the kit will be sheetmetal.

Thanks for the Intel on that, Rick. Stude is top of my want list.

[rightrudder]

5 hours ago, bisc63 said:

It still amazes me that this is a 1953 automobile. Compare this to the '53 Ford or '53 Bel-Air body styles! Incredible styling.

Yes, it really was ahead of its time!

 

[rightrudder]

 Some engine pics. I like that you can actually see the carb for a change; the air filter is a big cylindrical unit that mounts laterally near firewall. 

I tried something different with the plug wires; before, I had stuffed all the wires into a grommet, but it looked a little too bulky. This time I wrapped a bunch of black thread around the bundle of wires and secured it with some white glue. I guess I'm a fly fisherman at heart!

 

 

[bisc63]

Engine's looking nice! What green paint did you use?

[rightrudder]

18 minutes ago, bisc63 said:

Engine's looking nice! What green paint did you use?

Thanks! It's Tamiya Flat Green, XF-5. It looked a little too flat (military vibe) so I hit it with a light coat of clear gloss.

"Before" pic:

[rightrudder]

Started shaving/sanding all the spaghetti off the firewall and engine bay. I always mess up when I try to paint the wiring, etc. and it detracts from the engine, so off it comes. 

Still ruminating over colors for body & interior. The box (tin?) art looks great with dark red w/ white roof, so I'm leaning that direction.

 

[slusher]

23 hours ago, rightrudder said:

Started shaving/sanding all the spaghetti off the firewall and engine bay. I always mess up when I try to paint the wiring, etc. and it detracts from the engine, so off it comes. 

Still ruminating over colors for body & interior. The box (tin?) art looks great with dark red w/ white roof, so I'm leaning that direction.

 

I agree I have ner been able to paint the wireing myself..

[Paul Payne]

If you decide to chop the top, don't go as hard as the kit parts- half way between stock and the kit chop looks better- what they call a " gentleman's chop".

[customline]

On 2/1/2022 at 7:19 PM, rightrudder said:

Started shaving/sanding all the spaghetti off the firewall and engine bay. I always mess up when I try to paint the wiring, etc. and it detracts from the engine, so off it comes. 

Still ruminating over colors for body & interior. The box (tin?) art looks great with dark red w/ white roof, so I'm leaning that direction.

 

IMHO, this car looks better in a single color ( colour, for you Canadians) so as not to break up those great lines,  right?

[rightrudder]

2 hours ago, Paul Payne said:

If you decide to chop the top, don't go as hard as the kit parts- half way between stock and the kit chop looks better- what they call a " gentleman's chop".

No chop for me, but I agree...subtle would be better on this particular car.

 

1 hour ago, customline said:

IMHO, this car looks better in a single color ( colour, for you Canadians) so as not to break up those great lines,  right?

I'm already sold on the two-tone. I hear you on the continuity of the lines, but the single color to me looks too plain.

[customline]

24 minutes ago, rightrudder said:

No chop for me, but I agree...subtle would be better on this particular car.

 

I'm already sold on the two-tone. I hear you on the continuity of the lines, but the single color to me looks too plain.

Yeah, I do that too. ?

[drodg]

Love watching your build.  Here is a picture of my dad's 53 Starlight V8 right after he took delivery.   He always thought the Starlight had less rattles than the Starliner because of the pillar.   

[ZTony8]

On 1/31/2022 at 5:26 PM, bisc63 said:

It still amazes me that this is a 1953 automobile. Compare this to the '53 Ford or '53 Bel-Air body styles! Incredible styling.

The only thing that dates it is the high cowl height.

[Oldcarfan27]

48 minutes ago, drodg said:

Love watching your build.  Here is a picture of my dad's 53 Starlight V8 right after he took delivery.   He always thought the Starlight had less rattles than the Starliner because of the pillar.   

That was a beautiful car! Thanks for sharing.