This one is a head-scratcher. I can’t quite figure out which parts of this custom 1951 Studebaker are from a 1951 Studebaker and which parts are fabricated. Maybe that’s how the designer intended it to be. This crazy custom is listed on eBay in Morton, Illinois with a couple of bids bringing it up to just over $2,000 but the reserve isn’t met. Put on your thinking caps for this one. Thanks to Peter R. for sending in this crazy custom convertible!
Without question, one of the most famous and iconic cars to come out of South Bend, Indiana, or the car industry in the 1950s in general, was the 1951 Studebaker. What happened?! How was this front end treatment allowed to stray so far from that classic and beloved design? I don’t get it at all but a lot of work and I mean a lot of work has gone into this custom convertible. It just may not be to my taste but I’m also the guy to loves 1970s and 80s Japanese cars and Crosbys, and King Midgets and 70s Dodge vans, etc. There’s no accounting for taste in my world, who am I to judge.
GAAA! This car is almost more Fiat Jolly than Studebaker. The seller is “selling this for a friend and retired gentleman who does not use a computer. His health is not that great. He bought this car 2 or 3 years ago and then was unable to do much with it. Car has been in the garage since.” I could never do anything like this, I don’t have the skill or the willpower to make it through a project like this. Kudos to anyone who can follow through and create their dream car like this. It sure is a custom creation. “This car began as a ’51 Studebaker and was artfully transformed into this little car. Very talented workmanship I can’t imagine the hours and planning it took. All steel construction.”
The interior is interesting with the round, padded step-over sills. The seller explains a few details, the “tires are 15in. radials in great cond. The Viper red paint shines and is very nice. The hood has a dent in front, he can explain that. The head lights are from a 1950 Olds. The snap on top is Haartz premium canvas nicely done. There is canvas doors in the trunk that has never been mounted.” It sounds like there’s work to do, the “transmission has issues going into reverse sometimes it and usually it won’t. He was told it was a linkage issue but not sure what. This will need fixed, the car is priced with this in mind. Also the builder never got around to putting on inner fenders, I think this can be done easily or drive it like it is.”
The seller has this listed as a 259 V8 – I’m assuming out of a Studebaker Lark? You can see that there’s a bit of detail work to do under the custom hood. Not having fender liners throws me off a bit, I don’t know what that would be like, I would want to figure something out there. They say that it “starts right up and sounds great and idles smooth with good oil pressure. It has been changed to a 12v system.” I can imagine that this car would almost fly with all of that weight cut out and having a 259 V8. Have any of you built a one-off crazy custom like this 1951 Studebaker?
Nice job but I wish it had doors instead of cutaways, the cutaways totally ruin the lines of the car and they should be larger, it’s gotta be extremely difficult to get in or out while trying to snake yourself around that big steering wheel. I would also question the ergonomics of the seating position once you are in. I don’t think the missing inner fenders are a problem except in terms of keeping the engine clean of dirt, mud, and spray.
America’s answer to the Bugeye Sprite.
Something about a pig and lipstick….
What? Why? Weirdly? Wanderingly? Wild? Waywardly? Well-Meaningly? Well? I just have no Words for it,,,
I like it!
Tranny very easy rebuild, all seals, shafts, and bearings avilable.
Sometimes the yoked 1st and reverse on same shaft, if memory serves, gets worn, but the levers on engine bay steering column get worn oval, bore and add brass bushing.
The O H V Study V8 needs a wee bit of extra work on oil system, return holes rebored in head, and oil filtering system best with plumbed fender or firewall mou ted, extra quart, and baffeled pan, if one drives them hard. Later engines, no matter size had oil galleries redone at factory.
No matter they while low to ground at so many weak points , axles small diameter, be t tie rods, wonder how this beauty handles
I like it!
Tranny very easy rebuild, all seals, shafts, and bearings avilable.
Sometimes the yoked 1st and reverse on same shaft, if memory serves, gets worn, but the levers on engine bay steering column get worn oval, bore and add brass bushing.with new pins.
The O H V Studie V8 needs a wee bit of extra work on oil system, return holes rebored in head, and oil filtering system best with plumbed fender or firewall mou ted, extra quart, and baffeled pan, if one drives them hard. Later engines, no matter size had oil galleries redone at factory.
No matter they while low to ground have multiple weak points , axles small diameter, bent tie rods, wonder how this beauty handles.
Could that hood of came off the 54-55 Studie sedans?
No.
If she were mine I’d lose that DG automatic and go for a 3spd-od or 4 speed floor mounted shillaly! For sure a nice set of inner fender wells and sweet little doors could be fabbed out of glass fiber. That lil face could also use a craftsman’s tune up, yet by and large a swell project.
I doubt this ever was a full size 51 Stude, but it certainly has lots of Stude parts. I would think shortened Stude chassis and a custom built body
1951 was the first year of the Studebaker V/8….
The Olds gave up its taillights too, evidently. Wow, way to screw up the looks of two magnificent automobiles by hacking into their beautiful designs. I bet the side curtains are in the trunk because this would make an already uncomfortable driving experience even louder. I like cutout doors on Bugeyes and Crosley Hot Shots. On this creation, not so much.
I’d rather have the Jeepster in his garage!
Hope it doesn’t rain while driving. Who needs wipers?
hope that didn’t start out as a ‘bullet nose’ that would B a shame.
Cool SoCal type car, not 4 Morten, IL tho…
I’ll take the hubcaps!
Best buy I’ve seen lately, love it! Work needed seems minimal, glad its too far away from me!
LD71 :D
Looks like a car sandwich that someone took a bite out of, then, feeling ill, walked away.