‘53 Studebaker

[Koellefornia Kid]

Now that all the X-mas and New Year‘s Eve hurley burley is done it‘s time to start a new project. I had this old amt Studebaker kit in my stash for years...

...and chose it as my first 2024 project. Once again a rendering by the great artist Steve Stanford inspired me:

I don‘t know how near I can get to it but I guess there‘s only one way to find out...

First of all, all emblems and handles will have to go

 

and I already chose a set of wheels for my project StooShort, a combo of Pegasus Hollis and Helas:

Let‘s have some fun with styrene (and putty I guess)!

[espo]

Like your new years project. Should you be trying to replicate the chopped roof in the drawing a chopped top may be in this kit or one of the later versions. The chopped top that AMT put in the kits was to represent something you might see at the Bonneville Salt Flats. The drawing is something that would be a better source for a street car. I think if you didn't remove as much from the roof pillars and used the optional chopped top you could replicate what is in the drawing.  

[Paul Payne]

This is one of the all time great kits- enjoy! Have fun!

[dino246gt]

Nice concept!

Can't wait to it become a reality!

Cool!

 

[SpikeSchumacher]

Very cool Andy! Will be watching this one ?

[Kah puts]

Looking forward to seeing this project succeed ?

[Slotto]

You're gonna crush this one. Cant wait

[Zippi]

I like the rendering by Steve Stanford.  Those wheels and tires look killer.  Going to be a nice build.

[dust collectors]

Looking forward to watching this unfold.

[Bugatti Fan]

Those old Studebakers had very advanced styling back then. Dare I say more European looking considering it was built in the chrome and fins era.

This Custom build looks interesting.        Even built stock it would also look good.

Edited January 11, 2024 by Bugatti Fan

[slusher]

Hey friend looking forward to watching you build this Studebaker!  You made a nice choice on the wheels ?.

[Ferbz]

This promises to be a super cool build! I haven't built one of those Studebakers yet and have always wanted to try my hand at it. You may have inspired me to pick one up!

[TransAmMike]

I will also be looking in on your build of the '53 Oliver.  I always thought they were great looking cars.

[slusher]

Be nice if they made the Golden Hawk..

[Koellefornia Kid]

Thanks for all that premature praise, I hope I can do it justice!

On 1/7/2024 at 5:42 PM, espo said:

a chopped top may be in this kit or one of the later versions.

No optional chopped top in this version of this kit but that‘s OK for me. I always like the fun of performing a chop myself...

 

Not much happened so far but the first thing I realised was that I have to modify the inner front fenders to get the body low enough.

So I cut them away to make room for the Pegasus wheels:

I may want to scratch build some custom wheel arcs but for now it works to get a feel for the estimated stance:

 

Looks cool already but of course it is still waaaay too long so I marked the area where I want to make the first cuts:

Let‘s get out the Dremel.

Thanks for watching!

[bobss396]

I ran across one of these in my kit stash. I recall that the chassis details/steering details were always quite nice.

[Steve H]

This will be a challenging build. I was never a big fan of the Studes, but that artist rendering is wicked cool. Look forward to seeing it progress Oliver. 

[Kenmojr]

Love the 53 Stude. I built this kit many years ago in the mid to late 1960s. I recall it offered a Bonneville version with a dual blown Hemi.

This is gonna be one killer build, I can see it !!!

[espo]

5 hours ago, Koellefornia Kid said:

Thanks for all that premature praise, I hope I can do it justice!

No optional chopped top in this version of this kit but that‘s OK for me. I always like the fun of performing a chop myself...

 

Not much happened so far but the first thing I realised was that I have to modify the inner front fenders to get the body low enough.

So I cut them away to make room for the Pegasus wheels:

I may want to scratch build some custom wheel arcs but for now it works to get a feel for the estimated stance:

 

Looks cool already but of course it is still waaaay too long so I marked the area where I want to make the first cuts:

Let‘s get out the Dremel.

Thanks for watching!

If chopping the top is even a consideration, now would be the time since it looks like you're shortening the body and removing material from the roof. Since chopping the top usually requires adding material to lengthen the roof now would be the time to see how little would need to be removed from the roof. Again, that is only if that is even part of your plan. I do like the idea of shortening the wheelbase and overall length of the body. 

[Misha]

KK you’ve got my attention with the body sectioning to shorten your ride. Always admired this Stude as it captured my attention at age four which has led to life of gearhead!

Cheers Misha 

[drodg]

Here is my dad after taking delivery of his new V8 53 Studebaker

[milo1303s]

You say Dremel to cut that  what are you cutting with and at what speed ? thanks

lookin good btw !! 

[Phildaupho]

Cant go wrong following a Steve Stanford rendering. I am a big fan of 53 Studes and purple so will be following

[ozmodeler]

17 hours ago, drodg said:

Here is my dad after taking delivery of his new V8 53 Studebaker

one of the most beautiful cars to come from the USA !

 

[David G.]

This looks like a fun project. I'm interested in seeing how you make the modifications.

David G.