Post by Danno on Mar 28, 2011 0:03:35 GMT -8
Have you ever built a model of your first car?
This is a replica of my first car, a '53 Studebaker Champion.
I bought the 1:1 at a police auction for $15 ~ complete car but missing engine and transmission.
My partner in crime and I cut out the firewall and fabricated a flat aluminum replacement, then dropped a Chevy 327 and Muncie 4spd in it with a shortened Chevy driveshaft and a hydraulic clutch, using an Honest Charlie motor mount kit and a Hurst shifter. Hooker headers and dual exhausts with Thrush mufflers were routed straight back.
I hung out at Star Kustom Shop (Darryl Starbird's) some in those days, and I learned his technique of radiusing wheel wells. The rear tires were cheater slicks. I decked and nosed and shaved all the trim except the fender top chrome tips; they were just the right touch of chrome along with the headlamp rings, grille rings, windshield trim, and the planned Cragars.
I made a mahogany dashboard panel and installed Stewart Warner gauges. The plan was to extend a center console from the dash to the rear interior panel and use 4 bucket seats. Unfortunately, I never got the interior finished (or the exterior's final Candy Apple Red paint).
The 1:1 was a blast and a darn fine street machine, but I just didn't have it long enough (I shoulda had it for about 50 years!).
The model represents how it woulda/coulda/shoulda appeared in final form.
So, share your story about your first car and show off the model you made of it!
This is a replica of my first car, a '53 Studebaker Champion.
I bought the 1:1 at a police auction for $15 ~ complete car but missing engine and transmission.
My partner in crime and I cut out the firewall and fabricated a flat aluminum replacement, then dropped a Chevy 327 and Muncie 4spd in it with a shortened Chevy driveshaft and a hydraulic clutch, using an Honest Charlie motor mount kit and a Hurst shifter. Hooker headers and dual exhausts with Thrush mufflers were routed straight back.
I hung out at Star Kustom Shop (Darryl Starbird's) some in those days, and I learned his technique of radiusing wheel wells. The rear tires were cheater slicks. I decked and nosed and shaved all the trim except the fender top chrome tips; they were just the right touch of chrome along with the headlamp rings, grille rings, windshield trim, and the planned Cragars.
I made a mahogany dashboard panel and installed Stewart Warner gauges. The plan was to extend a center console from the dash to the rear interior panel and use 4 bucket seats. Unfortunately, I never got the interior finished (or the exterior's final Candy Apple Red paint).
The 1:1 was a blast and a darn fine street machine, but I just didn't have it long enough (I shoulda had it for about 50 years!).
The model represents how it woulda/coulda/shoulda appeared in final form.
So, share your story about your first car and show off the model you made of it!
