What Steve's Dad Builds...

Thought you guys might get a kick out of a car that Steve's Dad (Clint) built. It was a four door station wagon. By using a combination of the rear door of the wagon and the doors from an El Camino of the same era he built this car. He calls it LaBamba.

Of course it's black - where do you think Steve learned this stuff?

angela

This next one is VERY much under construction. There's probably a year or so left on this build. Right now, it's still in the mock-up stage. This is what happens when a wrecked 1986 Corvette makes passionate love to two-door hard top Studebaker...

Corvette donated the steering column, shifter, shift linkage, engine, transmission, rear suspension, front suspension, wheels, brakes, etc.

After he had the two mated, he decided that it would look really cool as a convertible. So he whacked off the hard top and put in an early Chevelle convertible top frame. The windshield didn't meet, so laid the windshield back (and gave it a little chop too).

Long way to go, but this is going to be a VERY cool car when it's done.

angela

Angela,

As someone who has had quite a few Studebakers it makes my heart proud to see a Stude being renewed. I don't know if you've had any experience with Stude engines but they are near bullet proof,(the V-8's)Knock on them is the weight, and limited room to expand the block but they are indeed very stout. What kind of induction is that on the engine?

Bruce

That's the 86 Corvette engine with the factory tuned port fuel injection. This car did not have an engine or transmission at all when it arrived at Clint's place. The trans is also from the Corvette - 4 speed auto. Brakes even retain the Corvette's ABS.

angela

Wish I had kept the 2 door Studebaker Commander I ad back in high school. Dad painted it using NJ Hwy Yellow paint mixed with 6 tubes of dark blue oil paint. Turned out flat pea green soup color - probably why I then was glad to see it move on.

Halfway to downtown there is a Studebaker Hawk (gold and white) sitting on the side of the road. No "for sale" sign on it, but it's been sitting out there since the Fall, right on the side of the road. Maybe I'll stop and ask if it's for sale and what he wants for it. Not a bit of rust anywhere (hey, it's in the South) but it's still sitting in the weather.

gn

Gordon, the 1956 Golden Hawk had a 352 cid Packard V-8.

The 1957-58 had a Studebaker 289 cid V-8 with a McCulloch supercharger, both engines produced 275 HP and both were fast in a straight line. Both were also very nose heavy (the smaller 289 with the supercharger was actually heavier than the Packard engine) but, regardless of the year, both were pre-cursors to the 60's muscle cars.

Sweet cars, Angela! He's a seriously talented man.

How's your little project coming along?

visionary!

Gordon,

Yes, you should stop and ask about the Stude, never know what they will say. Might be the son of the guy that had the Hawk and just wants it gone. Don't worry about parts for the Hawk except maybe some sheet metal but that is even available. The SDC, Studebaker Drivers Club is a wonderful club where you can access owners and vendors that have mucho parts. An interesting reason for that. Back in the 40's and 50's most car makers let the dealers keep 7 years worth of parts in their inventory and then they would pay the dealers to get them back, some kind of tax benefit I think. Studebaker never did that so when they quit making cars in 1966, dealers all over the country had tons of 30's-60's parts on their shelves. Enterprising enthusiasts bought them and they became a treasure trove for later restorers and
others that continued to drive them. Keep us posted on the Hawk. They are great cars and still look remarkably modern thanks to the origional Bob Bourke design from 1953.

Bruce

Dang, Bruce, you're a closet Studebaker fan! I knew you were a cool guy and this just proves it!

angela

I'm guilty, even belong to the Southern Oregon chapter of the Stude club! Good bunch of people, as all orphans are!

I like Clint. He's my kinda guy.

Angela,

After thinking a little about what your dad did about removing the top. Beware! The long, 123" WB frame on the coupe is very flexible and really needs the roof for some rigidity. The factory tried making a convert from the chassis back in 53-54 and decided it was not a good idea. I had a 55 Hardtop and remember I put it up on jack stands and then went around to open the drivers side door, couldn't! The frame was just too flexible. I think he should weld in some cross members to try and recapture the rigidity he lost when he removed the roof. He might have a better way to do that but highly recommend he tries something!

Bruce

You're right. We're working on him with that, Bruce. The frame itself brings alot of flex into the game as it is a very simple ladder design. Now it has no roof and big doors... Add to that very advanced suspension with big grippy tires and you've got an oversized metal frisbee on your hands.

Needs frame tie-ins, triangulate where you can, needs body bracing both left and right and longitudinally.

Long, long way from done.
angela