Future Project, Another Studebaker

I am in the process of buying another Studebaker. It's a 1954 Conestoga 2 door wagon. It's in pretty decent shape, just a little rust and a straight body. All the trim and bumpers seem to be in pretty good shape for a 56 year old car. A good find for $950. I plan on retiring late next year and have been looking for a project. This will be a long term deal and I probably won't even start on it for a couple years. Call me crazy, but I really like these Conestogas, especially the 54. They only made them for 2 years, 54-55. I do not have firm plans for it yet other than it will be street rodded to have more modern suspension and creature comforts. I plan to do all the paint and body work myself taking advantage of the local community college. Drive train will either be a newer Studebaker V-8 or a modern EFI set up of some sort. I will do some body mods. I was thinking of chopping the top to a profile similar to a Dodge Magnum, but still just brainstorming at this point. Here are a couple pictures and a link to more detail shots.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2796/...f2f50e7e4c.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4044/...f7e497c2d0.jpg

http://picasaweb.google.com/my4ateyo...udeForSale950#

Now I just need to get it from Nampa Idaho near Boise to Northern CA. Anybody got an empty trailer going that way?

Pat

Glad you're taking on a project with one of these Pat. The '54 grille looks particularly good on these. Given that this is a wagon a top chop would be more work, but I think these are great candidates for massaging the profile. It doesn't need much (one of the best chops for proportion I've ever seen was a '53-55 F100 that had only 5/8" taken out). If you or someone you know is good with photoshop or similar program finding the "right" amount would be the best approach. Also, slanting the B pillar to match the back window/gate angle would be good. Hey, with two or so years to plan you've got lots to play with.

What a great find Pat!!!! Planning the build is still the most important and most fun part of the whole project!!!! I'm no better with photoshop then I am with any of the other computer stuff, so what I do is make numerous black and white copies of an 8" X 10" picture of the car, then start changing things on the black and white copies!

Is the tailgate the standard station wagon type 2 piece? Don't think I have ever seen one of these wagons, sure would like to be the guy that got to build it!!!!!!!!

I like the wagon myself. Well I think its the Stude front I like the most .

Yes Dave the tail gate is typical station wagon style. That will be one of the challeges if I chop it. It might require converting it to a single hatch.

Pat