landman

So, it didn't take long to realize that my skills aren't up to doing the mods required to turn a 62 into a 64. And I hate to butcher my 53 which is the only model I ever won anything with. So here's the plan: Build the 4 engines. R2, R3, R4 and R5. Build the 62 Hawk using one of the Avantis as a base, since neither of the two Avantis will have engines. Use the second Avanti to do the GN conversion or maybe with a Corvette engine like this superbly executed Avanti I saw at a show. Two of them together one stock the other with the Corvette. Looks like I have my work cut out.

Chapter 5, the ideas begin to happen. A while back I bought a resin '62 GT with the intention of recreating my 64. They said you're to use the 53's chassis as a base, which I have. The initial plan was to use the rest of the 53 to do a GN conversion. Turns out I have a GNX as well. While all this was going on I discovered here that some old Avanti kits can be done either with an R2 or R5. So I got a couple. Then the idea of doing the whole series to display in my engine shop dio came about. So I bought a couple more engines on eBay.

Chapter 4, the R engines. While I was aware that the Supercharged cars were called R2, I wasn't aware that there was a series of R engines. My first encounter was with this one, an R3 transplanted in a 57 Golden Hawk. I had gone to see the white.63 GT next to it. The R3 is 304 cubic inches as opposed to the R2's 289, and it has a pressurized carb. The guy said he found it in a crate in California while looking for some parts. Here is two crates worth some cash, an R3 AND an R4. The R4 is also 304 but runs two four barrels. And then of course there is the R5 of which only two were built to run at Bonneville. It has two superchargers.

Chapter 3, the GN At the same show there was a stunning black 54 (barely seen on the left below). I can't find the pictures of it. It had been built using the drivetrain and interior of a Buick Grand National. The workmanship was similar to the 53 below.

Chapter two, the model. I only won second with the Hawk but I won first with my 53 Starliner. they had told us to bring any Studebaker models we had.

This is a story which leads in a drawn out roundabout way to a few oncoming projects. About 40 years ago, I saw a beautiful 62 GT Hawk under the canopy of the hotel I was checking in. It instantly went to the bucket list. Fast forward about 20 years and the search was on. I looked at many and settled on this one, a 64 with 289 four barrel, AC and 4 speed. It was a late production unit having been built 7 days before the end and I was proud of its originality. A couple of years later I entered it in an all Studebaker show. there were only four GTs including this red one which won for obvious reasons. The guy had shown up in a 1 ton dually Dodge with a V10 pulling an enclosed trailer with this gem in it, all painted in the same red. Later that day, one of the judges pointed out that mine got second only because of a glaring point of originality. They never made a four speed with A/C. A search for the build sheet proved him right, it was born automatic. Go figure.Note the build date, Dec 13 63. studebaker shut down production in South Bend on Dec 20 63.

I have to make some space heaters for my shops.Is the construction method for yours top secret?

Here's what the addiction looks like so far.

Something rarely seen at FTB, a MAN truck engine.

Thanks Ronnie. I'll keep that in mind. Meanwhile, this one arrived at the shop red. Maybe it had been repainted during a previous rebuild. Any way, here it is.

36 years ago I built a new "office" in my basement to make room for a nursery upstairs. Yesterday, I posted this as a throwback on Facebook. Then I saw the models on the shelf in the background. It was during my "truck" period. Eventually two walls of this room had floor to ceiling shelves full of models.

Hey Ian, here's a few 5 years later.

Scott , it was a Murphy roadster. http://www.classiccarweekly.net/2015/09/15/duesenberg-j-330/

It must have had some serious rear springs to carry Merlins.

Turned out great. I imagine those are hard to find.

I bought a few engines to use in my engine shop diorama. Little did I know that is extremely dangerous. It has developed into a full blown addiction. But I'm having fun.

Thanks Ronnie. Seeing that you are in Germany and may be familiar with them, what color are MAN engines. According to the photos I could find they appear to be red.

I've guessed at a few. Can anyone tell me what the numbered engines are? Modern V6? Chrysler turbine 331 or 392 Hemi ? Granted, there isn't much visible Packard straight 8 Thanks, muchly

I second all of the above. I wish I could afford one and have the skills to build it like that. Well done!

Almost a year ago I bought four European engines on eBay, from Greece actually. With the help of the folks here, I identified them Posted 19 Dec 2015 (edited) · Report post I have acquired four Euro engines on eBay. I have ID'd them up to a point. Can anyone tell me the power rating of those engines? Mercedes Actros (Italeri 715) Mercedes OM, looks like a 502LA MAN 26.321 (Italeri 756) DAF 2800 (Italeri 781) I started on the MAN . Added some plumbing. It will likely go on display in my engine shop dio. It will be shown without a transmission. Haven't decided on the gear or a flywheel image yet.

I was thinking the same thing, turning it into an 8N. What are the major differences other than the engine and the color of the wheels?

Thank you David. It still has the warp, one wheel off the ground. I'm going to have to redo the headlight decals. And, then again, looking back, it isn't so bad.

These were done by printing a headlight image on clear decal paper. Didn't look too bad at first. Then they darkened. Chemical reaction?

And so the story ends. It is pouring rain outside, so I took the photos in the engine shop receiving bay. As much as I love Squarebirds, I have a hard time getting excited about this one.

Used the "print clear decals " method to rectify the headlights' appearance.