The 1950 Studebaker was found left for dead in a field in Little Rock Arkansas.
The car was 100% complete. The only things missing were the two side glass windows.
It looks rough but the rust is all on the surface.

The four cylinder will be removed and a small block Ford V8 will replace it.

The front horns were cut off the front of the frame. A newer updated Mustang II front end will replace it.

The Mustang II front clip was lined up and welded into place. The suspension will be updated with airbags on all four corners and power steering.

All the suspension will be updated with air bags and disc brakes.

The firewall had to be cut and the motor was fit in place.

This will be the power plant for the project. A completely rebuilt Ford 351 Windsor. Bored 30 over, 64cc Dart II heads, ported and polished, TRW forged pistons, 7 quart oil pan, dual plane Offenhauser intake, 650 edelbrock carb, all blueprinted and balanced.

Now that the updated clip is in. The 400+ horsepower 351 Windsor is fitted. The job was much harder to do because Ford motors have a front sump oil pickup making the front of the pan taller. I don’t mind the extra effort because everybody has a small block Chevy in their street rod. Besides, Bob Bourke would be proud of me. He designed both the 1950 Ford and the 1950 Studebaker.

The only time in the build where I got nervous.

The top was put back on. The “B” and “C” pillars moved up considerably. The “B” pillar will have to be cut out and pulled back a couple of inches.

6″ of sheet metal was fabricated to fill the space that the chop caused.

The wheels were purchased early on in the build. The entire vehicle will be built around the Boyd Coddington 20 inch rims in the rear and 18 inch rims in the front. This is the biggest set of wheels that the car could handle without atering the appearance of the vehicle.

The body was lifted off the frame to get media blasted.

Coated with a durable 3M under carriage paint.

The only part of this frame that will remain stock 1950 Studebaker is the back rail and half of the two side rails. The rest will be fabricated from scratch using the x frame concept for a responsive ride.

The pipes run through the frame so that the car can be slammed right on the ground when the air bags are deflated. It also creates a streamlined look when everything is tucked up in the frame.

The copper root beer kandy paint is sprayed on the firewall.

The two are finally back together again.

I’m trying to make the only color on the car the copper body color. That means keeping everything else black or chrome. It’s hard when every hot rod part is painted in bright colors. I just ordered a new BLACK distributor cap.

Who has a paint booth I cann rent?