It was in February 2005. In April 2006, he drove it, completely done with freshly enriched AC and all, 200 miles to Street Rod Nationals in Jacksonville. I can wake up at night, coming up with a solution and get out in the garage firing up the welder, not stopping until I’m done
- The car was expensive but I wanted it and there are not many “around”.
After the Studebaker had served as a regular car it became a gasser during the sixties. The conversion to a hot rod was then made by a firm in Connecticut. Mustang II front suspension with disc brakes, rear axle Chevy 55 and Chevrolet Camaro engine was added. Paul built the electrical system of 12 volts and took it to the finish line. The guy he bought it from had an air conditioned garage with
a bunch of nice cars, jukeboxes and cafe furniture.
-There are not many left of them, said Paul. Champion was the brand’s best seller so 1940 were small changes done. Sealed
beam was new and it got more ribs in the grille. 66000 Studebaker of all models were manufactured in 1940.
-I, I saw that you thought I paid too much but I liked the car, said Paul.
He wants to buy it back now and make a gasser of it again but I do not want to sell. I am happy with my car collection and plan to enjoy more of it and spend less hours building says Paul, (simultaneously he has pulled home a bouncing Nova 1971 with Rupp-Rupp engine of 355 cubic inches.) We stand and hang over the engine and hums about nothing.
-Are You hungry he continues?
The sun’s gone. The Sheckter lies lame. Well, there may as well be a turn to Sonny’s BBQ and Grille ventilating some golden rumors ’bout missing junkyards in the deep Everglades.