Startin' the Stude

[Falcon Ranchero]

Finally started building the 1953 Studebaker kit. Would've started it sooner but I burnt my finger on a hot screw a week ago yesterday, but it's all good now. This is the first kit where you'll see the progress.

Directly below, this is my work area. That paint carosel is from 1979, and it sure is a blessing to have, as it holds most of the paint I need. 

 

Last night, I began sorting through the parts, looking over the instructions, and making a game plan.

I had then painted all the engine parts.

Surprisingly, this gold Testors paint from the early '80s is still good.

This morning, the engine was assembled.

Edited July 24, 2024 by Falcon Ranchero

[customline]

Off to a flying start!  I recently got this Studebaker kit and I'm eager to get to it. For now, though, I'll follow yours. It looks like a fairly well detailed kit. OK, then, get busy!  BTW, I have a few bottles like that from the early 80's. There's no explanation. Remember when they cost a dime? 

[Falcon Ranchero]

I have never built a Stude kit before, so this will be interesting... I was also really surprised that the paints still work; I mean my dad used them to paint his kits in the late '70s early '80s and managed to keep them and that paint carosel. Some still work like new, others just turn hard. I can imagine they were pretty cheap 40 years ago, but now they're a couple bucks. I had actually brush painted an entire car with that same gold paint, my 1971 Olds kit. It's somewhere in Model Cars under the title "Goldsmobile 442" if you'd like to see it. 

[thatz4u]

53 Studes are great little cars, lots of ways to build them...

[Falcon Ranchero]

28 minutes ago, thatz4u said:

53 Studes are great little cars, lots of ways to build them...

Those are really neat! I must say I am curious to see how mine turns out; I have a neat idea for it.

[Bugatti Fan]

Nice project, this one.     The 53 Studebaker, an American car that looks very European in styling like some of the other Studes from that era.

[TNT]

Looks like a good start. Studes had a flair all their own. 

[Falcon Ranchero]

Just got some more done last night, namely, painting all the mechanical parts beneath, and assembling the wheels. I have also sprayed the interior; it is just white. I would have done a little more last night, but I had a setback with two of my other kits; I went to open the window for ventillation, and the piece of wood we keep as a second lock slipped out of my hands, rolled off the sill, and crushed my 1970 Bonneville Custom Sports Hauler, and my 1958 T-bird. And of course those were my vintage kits I paid collectively $90 for. Surprisingly, nothing major happened, just had to glue a couple things back on. 

I managed to assemble the front suspension last night, but I forgot the little pins, so I had to take it apart this morning and put them in and re-assemble it.

Edited July 25, 2024 by Falcon Ranchero

[bobss396]

Those are great kits, I built a few MANY years ago, with the big hemi and the clear hood. 

[Falcon Ranchero]

Just now, bobss396 said:

Those are great kits, I built a few MANY years ago, with the big hemi and the clear hood. 

This kit comes with the big Hemi and the clear hood, but also an orange tinted transparent bubble hood. Definitely lots of options to choose from. I must say I like this kit so far; no issues to report ?

[slusher]

Nice progress looking good!

[Falcon Ranchero]

Got a whole bunch of things done last night; completed the chassis and interior. Also prepped the body for the first paint colour, as it is going to be a two-tone treatment. Should be completed on Saturday, if all goes according to plan.

The driveshaft was popped back into place, as it appears out of place in the photos.

Edited July 26, 2024 by Falcon Ranchero

[stavanzer]

This is Looking Great so Far. Keep up the good work.

[Falcon Ranchero]

Jumping right ahead, here is a quick mockup from a little earlier in the day. As of now, the body is fully ready to go on the chassis; just waiting for some things to dry. Last night I was able to do the trim detailing.

Edited July 27, 2024 by Falcon Ranchero

[Falcon Ranchero]

This is the last post for here, the big reveal of the finished model will be on model cars under glass shortly.

[Musclecarbuilder]

I love the Pink and black!

[customline]

Wow! Very nice!