jeffs396 Posted July 10, 2011 Posted July 10, 2011 (edited) I know alot here do not like messing with diecasts, but to me, if the subject isn't available in styrene or resin (I know, a bullet Stude is available in resin!) then I'll rework one, it is still a MODEL CAR! Anyway, here's a Johnny Lightning 1/24 Studebaker, 1951. Available at Walmart for $15 or so. Not bad looking as is (except for the baby blue ). The " Dear Moebius" thread really got me wanting to start a Studebaker gasser (thanks Casey! post #14) Here it is before stripping: Shaved the door handles, top of fender spears, trunk emblem, fuel filler chrome piece, and enlarged the rear wheel openings. Mimicked the shape of the front fender openings, not sure if I like it or want to make them round? These are mockup pics, still lots-o-work to do, final ride height, maybe different wheels, body work, and something sinister poking thru the hood! Please...opinions, suggestions, and anything else welcome! Edited July 17, 2011 by jeffs396
Ron a.k.a. Grouchy Pants Posted July 10, 2011 Posted July 10, 2011 Thats gonna be killer. If its gonna sit pretty close to where you have it, I think i'd enjoy seeing the rear openings a little more round. Thats just my personal opinion of course and its all about whats gonna please you. So I say go for it and dont spend quite as much time looking and thinking about it to much like I would, or you'll never get anything done. :lol: Ron
Foxer Posted July 10, 2011 Posted July 10, 2011 I've always liked the bullet-nosed Studes and never knew this 1/24 die cast was around. I just may have to visit Walmart. I'll be keeping an eye on this .. and thanks for the head's up.
crazyjim Posted July 10, 2011 Posted July 10, 2011 What a neat looking car. Maybe I'll go to Wal-Mart tomorrow. Your build is looking very sweet. Something huge sticking out the hood would be awesome.
george 53 Posted July 10, 2011 Posted July 10, 2011 Oh yes Jeff, this has JUST the right amount of weird!! This is gonna be fun!!!!!
Harry P. Posted July 10, 2011 Posted July 10, 2011 I agree with Ron... round out the rear wheelwells. And also... congratulations on realizing that a scale model car does not have to have a plastic body! (too many other people seem to think so. )
Sully Posted July 10, 2011 Posted July 10, 2011 A Stude on steroids..........can't get much better. I argee, if this is going to be the stance, the rear wheel well need to be radiused just a tad more. Great suject matter.........stopping at Wally World after work tomorrow...... Thanks for the heads up. Sully
Eshaver Posted July 10, 2011 Posted July 10, 2011 Looks to me as though you have studied some 1964 and 65 Car Craft and perhaps Hot Rod magazines . This was the era of the sky high in the air Funnycar . I agree, in order to have a realistic racer, one would need to radius the rear wheel house as the Drag slicks of the time would need room so as to not rub the body or , blow out . Ed Shaver
scale trucker Posted July 10, 2011 Posted July 10, 2011 totally bitchen,sweet gasser,my thought is hillborn injected nailhead buick..would be wicked
High octane Posted July 10, 2011 Posted July 10, 2011 Wow, what an awesome project and I just happened to like gassers also. I guess I'm gonna have to check out my local Wallymart real soon!
jeffs396 Posted July 11, 2011 Author Posted July 11, 2011 Thanks for all of the positive comments guys! Have always thought these cars were sexy, in an Uma Thurman kinda way I'll try the round rear wheelwell cutouts & see how she looks... Last time I was in Walmart, the newest run of these were black, looks alot better than the baby blue...will be picking up another one for a ProStreet build in the future This is one HEAVY casting guys If planning on an engine, lots of cutting will be required to open it up. I'll be zingin' more metal soon
jeffs396 Posted July 12, 2011 Author Posted July 12, 2011 That studebaker bug has bitten, had to pick up another one today...here's what it looks like before teardown:
Foxer Posted July 12, 2011 Posted July 12, 2011 I went looking too, but the "mini-Walmart" near us had not one Johnny Lightning .. not to mention a Stude,
Eshaver Posted July 12, 2011 Posted July 12, 2011 I had one of them, ( Starlight coupes ) to re- install the glass on back I guess in 1989. I sweated for hours as I was scared to death that I was going to pinch the rope as I was putting the rear glasses in . I felt like going on a perminate vacation when I finished a couple of hours later . Oh , it was all cold and icy outside when I did that job too ! Would you beleive that Studebaker was Black too ? Ed Shaver
David G. Posted July 12, 2011 Posted July 12, 2011 Actually, it looks pretty cool with the paint stripped off. Sort of like it's made of pewter. Can't wait to see how this one comes out. David G.
High octane Posted July 12, 2011 Posted July 12, 2011 That studebaker bug has bitten, had to pick up another one today...here's what it looks like before teardown: Thanks for the pics Jeff as I can see that I'm gonna have to get one also, or maybe two?
aarondupont Posted July 12, 2011 Posted July 12, 2011 I tried our Walmart in Medina, Ohio. No luck. They barely have anything other than Hot Wheels. I'll have to try some other Walmart's. That Stude looks like a "gotta have". Aaron Dupont
Foxer Posted July 12, 2011 Posted July 12, 2011 (edited) I tried another Walmart that's 20 minutes north .. and smaller than the closer one .. and they had 2 light blue Studes. Just have to look around. This was only $15 .. it was $19 plus $10 shipping online! Edited July 12, 2011 by Foxer
Rob Z Posted July 12, 2011 Posted July 12, 2011 I tried our Walmart in Medina, Ohio. No luck. They barely have anything other than Hot Wheels. I'll have to try some other Walmart's. That Stude looks like a "gotta have". Aaron Dupont Hey Aaron, you could try the one in Strongsville but, I think they have less than Medina. I will probably be in the Parma area tonight and am going to take a look out there... I'll get back to you and let you know on that one...
jeffs396 Posted July 13, 2011 Author Posted July 13, 2011 I tried another Walmart that's 20 minutes north .. and smaller than the closer one .. and they had 2 light blue Studes. Just have to look around. This was only $15 .. it was $19 plus $10 shipping online! Did you buy 'em both Mike?
90lowboy Posted July 16, 2011 Posted July 16, 2011 ...NICE!!! Can't wait to see and hear it run. ???engine??? wild paint. " LIL STUIE" B/Gas
jeffs396 Posted July 17, 2011 Author Posted July 17, 2011 A little update...rounded out the wheelwell and tried out some different rims. Opinions? Here's all the beefy zinc alloy that lies under the hood...lots of cutting if you want to put an engine in there I'll pick up any additional Studes I see in my local Walmarts, in case some of you can't find 'em. They seem to be in pretty good supply around here...
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