From Scrap to Showstopper 1956 Studebaker
A Blast from the Past! This killer build was originally featured in SA HotRods magazine back in August 2012. A true testament to timeless style and badass engineering!
Every gearhead knows this story. Guy finds an old truck, takes it for a spin in stock form, and realizes—meh. Plans get made. Experts get paid. And in the end? A pile of mismatched parts and a bank account running on fumes.
Every gearhead knows this story. Guy finds an old truck, takes it for a spin in stock form, and realizes—meh. Plans get made. Experts get paid. And in the end? A pile of mismatched parts and a bank account running on fumes.
Carlos? He lived that nightmare. He even flirted with selling the project outright. But you don’t build a successful nightclub by giving up when things get tough. So he doubled down and went looking for a real pro. That’s when he found Simon at Old Mill Rod and Custom. Simon’s shop was packed, but instead of sending Carlos packing, he did the unthinkable—he referred him to a competitor. Enter Jacques from the West Coast, who was also slammed. But a year later, a slot opened up, and the Stud was finally on its way to greatness.
Tearing Down the Past
Once the truck was stripped and up on trestles, its sins became clear. It had been stretched into a super cab, giving it a weird “bald eagle” profile. The previous owner had slapped in Jaguar front and rear suspension—not a bad move—but left it at stock height, killing any hopes of a sleek stance. And that “crate engine” Carlos got with the deal? More like four crates of disappointment: two blocks, two cranks, and a pile of useless bits, the best of which was a cracked block. Time for a rethink.
A New Plan: Drop It, Chop It, and Make It Mean
Carlos wanted attitude. That meant big rollers—20s in the back, 18s up front—and a frame-dragging air ride setup. Gremeltech came through with a four-corner adjustable airbag system, installed front and rear before the entire chassis got C-notched, boxed, and fitted with a double X-member to keep things from twisting into a pretzel. Standard Jag brakes weren’t going to cut it, so they got the boot in favor of Wilwood four-pots and floating discs.
Body-wise, something was still off. The stretched cab needed rear quarter windows to break up the bulk, but even that wasn’t enough. “You know what this sucker needs?” Carlos said, eyeing it from across the shop. “A chop.”
And so, sparks flew. Two and a half inches came out of the front, two from the back, giving the truck a sinister forward rake. But that wasn’t the only horror lurking—remember those “experts” Carlos originally trusted? Turns out their idea of rust repair was to bash it in with a hammer and slather on filler. A year later, it was back with a vengeance.
New door lowers, front fender corners, and bonnet edges were all hand-fabbed. The bed got mini tubs for full-drop clearance, a rolled rear pan with a center exhaust cutout, and a shaved tailgate with hidden hinges. LM Bodyworks laid down a custom-mix gunmetal grey with a gold pearl, giving it that dark, brooding vibe.
Power to Match the Presence
The Stud now looked the part. But could it move like it meant business? Not with a cracked block. The solution? A full rebuild: one cylinder got sleeved before a .030” overbore, and hypereutectic pistons were hung on pink rods with ARP bolts. A Comp 280 cam kept the 2.02/1.60 valves in camel-hump heads working overtime, while an Edelbrock carb on a Performer intake mixed the juice. Ceramic-coated headers handled the exhale.
Stealth Engineering balanced the whole rotating assembly before it was smoothed, painted, and dropped in. Behind it? A TH350 from a “friend of a friend.” And like most friend-of-a-friend deals, it turned out to be a dud—no gears on startup. Triangle Transmissions stripped it down and declared the case the only salvageable part. Lesson learned. The rebuilt box now shifts like it should.
To keep things from dragging, the engine and trans were mounted high in the frame, forcing the firewall and floor to move back. The solution? A complete rework that preserved cabin space. Cooling came from a Motown Auto aluminum radiator with a Derale fan to keep temps in check.
A Custom Interior Fit for a Boss
Inside, it’s all about comfort and control. PT Cruiser buckets provide the seating, while a custom center console houses the air ride and power window controls. The steering column is Jag, but with a custom steel surround instead of cheap plastic. Stewart Warner gauges handle the vitals, and a chunky wood-rimmed wheel keeps Carlos connected to the road. Leather Creations stitched up the headliner and interior panels to match.
The Finishing Touches
Meanwhile, the grille and front bumper were getting the full treatment. The bumper was frenched for a pair of driving lights before the whole lot got sent to Lusinco for deep-dip chroming. No rapper has ever rocked this much bling.
The final stretch included a complete rewire, ‘39 Mercury taillights, and chopped glass all around, expertly fitted by Emergency Glass. MB at Super Quick delivered one of his signature stainless steel exhaust systems, completing the build.
The Stud Lives Again
This truck doesn’t just look mean—it owns the road. Carlos won’t say exactly how much time or cash went into it, but one thing’s for sure: it was all worth it. Heads turn. Crowds gather. And when he lays frame at a show, jaws drop.
And that, folks, is why we build hot rods.
Tearing Down the Past
Once the truck was stripped and up on trestles, its sins became clear. It had been stretched into a super cab, giving it a weird “bald eagle” profile. The previous owner had slapped in Jaguar front and rear suspension—not a bad move—but left it at stock height, killing any hopes of a sleek stance. And that “crate engine” Carlos got with the deal? More like four crates of disappointment: two blocks, two cranks, and a pile of useless bits, the best of which was a cracked block. Time for a rethink.
A New Plan: Drop It, Chop It, and Make It Mean
Carlos wanted attitude. That meant big rollers—20s in the back, 18s up front—and a frame-dragging air ride setup. Gremeltech came through with a four-corner adjustable airbag system, installed front and rear before the entire chassis got C-notched, boxed, and fitted with a double X-member to keep things from twisting into a pretzel. Standard Jag brakes weren’t going to cut it, so they got the boot in favor of Wilwood four-pots and floating discs.
Body-wise, something was still off. The stretched cab needed rear quarter windows to break up the bulk, but even that wasn’t enough. “You know what this sucker needs?” Carlos said, eyeing it from across the shop. “A chop.”
And so, sparks flew. Two and a half inches came out of the front, two from the back, giving the truck a sinister forward rake. But that wasn’t the only horror lurking—remember those “experts” Carlos originally trusted? Turns out their idea of rust repair was to bash it in with a hammer and slather on filler. A year later, it was back with a vengeance.
New door lowers, front fender corners, and bonnet edges were all hand-fabbed. The bed got mini tubs for full-drop clearance, a rolled rear pan with a center exhaust cutout, and a shaved tailgate with hidden hinges. LM Bodyworks laid down a custom-mix gunmetal grey with a gold pearl, giving it that dark, brooding vibe.
Power to Match the Presence
The Stud now looked the part. But could it move like it meant business? Not with a cracked block. The solution? A full rebuild: one cylinder got sleeved before a .030” overbore, and hypereutectic pistons were hung on pink rods with ARP bolts. A Comp 280 cam kept the 2.02/1.60 valves in camel-hump heads working overtime, while an Edelbrock carb on a Performer intake mixed the juice. Ceramic-coated headers handled the exhale.
Stealth Engineering balanced the whole rotating assembly before it was smoothed, painted, and dropped in. Behind it? A TH350 from a “friend of a friend.” And like most friend-of-a-friend deals, it turned out to be a dud—no gears on startup. Triangle Transmissions stripped it down and declared the case the only salvageable part. Lesson learned. The rebuilt box now shifts like it should.
To keep things from dragging, the engine and trans were mounted high in the frame, forcing the firewall and floor to move back. The solution? A complete rework that preserved cabin space. Cooling came from a Motown Auto aluminum radiator with a Derale fan to keep temps in check.
A Custom Interior Fit for a Boss
Inside, it’s all about comfort and control. PT Cruiser buckets provide the seating, while a custom center console houses the air ride and power window controls. The steering column is Jag, but with a custom steel surround instead of cheap plastic. Stewart Warner gauges handle the vitals, and a chunky wood-rimmed wheel keeps Carlos connected to the road. Leather Creations stitched up the headliner and interior panels to match.
The Finishing Touches
Meanwhile, the grille and front bumper were getting the full treatment. The bumper was frenched for a pair of driving lights before the whole lot got sent to Lusinco for deep-dip chroming. No rapper has ever rocked this much bling.
The final stretch included a complete rewire, ‘39 Mercury taillights, and chopped glass all around, expertly fitted by Emergency Glass. MB at Super Quick delivered one of his signature stainless steel exhaust systems, completing the build.
The Stud Lives Again
This truck doesn’t just look mean—it owns the road. Carlos won’t say exactly how much time or cash went into it, but one thing’s for sure: it was all worth it. Heads turn. Crowds gather. And when he lays frame at a show, jaws drop.
And that, folks, is why we build hot rods.
Selling Price:
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Sold:
Yes