Thread: 1953 Stude "Lowey" Starlight Cpe ???

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I found one dirt cheap, titled + has all good as is glass and floors/rockers and have a few questions for others building or have built one.
- A BBC/T350 possible w/o cutting the car all to hell? ( Original firewall + floors? )
- I can build the mounts or are mount swap kits avil.?
- Whats a good donor rearend w/o narrowing it?
- Car needs quarters are they hard to find ? glass or steel, I know of only one in a bone yard locally and they are bad on that one..
-Problem areas-Where to look for rust issues?
- Orig. suspension ok or should a MII swap be done?

I'd like details ,pics + 'Net links if I could so I can research B4 jumping into it.
NOT the car- a file pic

Check out StuCools, LS power, runs and looks great!

looked at his gallery but I do not see anything but various show pics w a few of those cars shown. Hard to say which if any are his.

He's got a build gallery, too... have to ask him where it is, I've looked through it but don't remember where it is....

I looked at a few of his older posts , That car rocks! A build thread would great.

Might just PM him, He'll more then likely be on later today... He has a very well documented and detailed build in pics on the car.... Well worth your time to get the link to it....

I'm jealous! That is my "#1 most beautiful body design of all time". It's hard to believe that a car from the early fifties could sit amongst new models, and still steal the show!

Please show us pictures of the progress. {:-)

Check this place out:http://forum.studebakerdriversclub.com/default.asp Great place for help and info. Have fun!

I would be surprised if a 350/350 or similar combo wouldn't fit there with some ease. Recall that the Stude had a 289 V8 engine that was a virtual copy of that vintage Cad 331 (I think). Several folks actually were able to modify a more easily available Cad intake to fit the Stude motor. Then to go on a bit, when Studebake and Packard merged, out came the similar Golden Hawk in 1955 with that behemouth (for the time) 352cid engine though there were some hood changes for fitting it and that you had to either jack up the engine or cut holes in the fender wells to change plugs.

Should be a fairly easy swap to a little Chebbie motor

Mounting would be the same , but I hardly have a "little Chebbie motor" ,at least in outward dimensions-
461 BBC that now has an Edelbrock Air Gap,alum big valve heads + 9:1 Comp

That one - might have to do some cuttin' 'n' bendin'

I'll make it fit...bring it down... Any engine will fit if you want it in there bad enough!!!!!

Originally Posted by Dave Severson

I'll make it fit...bring it down... Any engine will fit if you want it in there bad enough!!!!!

...but Dave, can it be done w/o cuttin' 'n' trimmin' 'n' bendin' which is his question. That little OEM 289 doesn't take up much space
I can make it fit too - all I need is my torch, my MIG and my cut off wheels

Originally Posted by IC2

...but Dave, can it be done w/o cuttin' 'n' trimmin' 'n' bendin' which is his question. That little OEM 289 doesn't take up much space
I can make it fit too - all I need is my torch, my MIG and my cut off wheels

Probably not, but the trick is to put it in there and make it look like it was the factories idea!!!!!!

RIGHT I just do not want to cut up the firewall, I am not much into the smooth firewall nor the to me cheesy stainless or Alum. flat panel look . Fenderwells I am not so picky about. Room can be gained using a front mounted Elc fan. and short water pump of which I have both. With a MII or strt axle alot is out of the way as well. I always went by the rule If a SBC fits, so will a BBC and for the most part it has been true. Custom headers are a must I would guess. $$$$