1939 Studebaker + Geo 1.0L drivetrain swap = Studeo

[Jyden]

Lets se some pics ...

[slownugly]

this is awesome. im going a 68 rambler eco project but not near the extent of your conversion.

what is the curb weight of the stude? how do you think that powertrain will pull it along? what driving conditions will you use it in?

[StudeChamp]

The original curb weight of the Stude was 2300 lbs. Per Studebaker literature the engine/tranny combo I deleted weighs 450 lbs. The Suzuki engine/transaxle are around 150. The K member plus additional bracing should be another 100 lbs or so... Even once I have the interior back in, I am hoping that I end up around 2000 - 2100 lbs.

I should be able to post pics here soon...

[StudeChamp]

Never mind, think I've got this figured out. The first photos are of the exterior before we started cutting. The last two show the K member parked next to the vehicle.

[StudeChamp]

Here are photos of the K member under construction and completed. Johnny took the dimensions off the 91 Metro (shock towers, engine mounts, suspension dimensions etc) and duplicated it. Some pretty slick fab went into this beauty.

[mcrews]

Stud I lived in Carmicheal (next to Jesuit HS) for 24 years and you pop up after I move back to Texas!!!!!! lol

What a great find! I love that 40ish coupe body style...always wanted a 40 willis.....

[mcrews]

a body up in auburn had a 40ish coupe with a Lincoln mark IIV front clip. Had air shocks on all for corners and the dash was a 40ish mod of the Lincoln.

[StudeChamp]

Next up: out comes the old power train. The Studebaker mill was a 164 cid flathead I-6 pumping out 78hp. The engine weighed 455lbs with the tranny, was the engine of choice for personnel carriers in WWII, and stayed in production until 1960, when Studebaker slapped on overhead valves. Unfortunately, someone had pulled the head on this one and left it to rust. We still might turn it into a coffee table base, Top Gear-style.

HowStuffWorks ran a great article on the Champion, here's the link:

HowStuffWorks "1939-1940 Studebaker Champion"

Back to work -- I'll post pics of how we cut up (and supported) the body next.

[StudeChamp]

Originally Posted by mcrews

Stud I lived in Carmicheal (next to Jesuit HS) for 24 years and you pop up after I move back to Texas!!!!!! lol

What a great find! I love that 40ish coupe body style...always wanted a 40 willis.....

Oh man, that's hilarious! The style is what drew me, too -- I am obviously biased, but I like it more than the Ford and Willys front ends. Ramond Loewy was a fantastic designer who drew some real classics for Stude -- this was his first. Per Wikipedia: "Among his designs were the Shell, Exxon, TWA and the former BP logos, the Greyhound Scenicruiser bus, Coca-Cola vending machines, the Lucky Strike package, Coldspot refrigerators, the Studebaker Avanti and Champion, and the Air Force One livery." He also drew for Hupmobile.

Sorry to hear we lost you to Texas! Thanks for reading.

[California98Civic]

Originally Posted by StudeChamp

Never mind, think I've got this figured out. The first photos are of the exterior before we started cutting. The last two show the K member parked next to the vehicle.

Oh wow, it had suicide doors! Awesome...