Now that is amazing. They sure don't make them like they used to.

The metal in that car is amazing. This is in a car that sat in a Minnesota farm yard since 1955.

It's amazing that there was anything left to restore! I wonder if Studebaker was using metal that was outstanding from a perspective of metallurgy, or if the gauge was so thick it just wouldn't rot out.

I don't know but I remember the farmers around where I grew up talking about how the machinery was much better if made before ww2 so I think it must be in the quality of the metal.

Wow. Just wow. That's amazing. I can't wait to see this project done and you driving it.

Instead of Driving Miss Daisy in a Hudson, you'll be Driving Mr. Tom in the Studebaker. :D

You and me both.

So how thick is the metal then? How heavy was or is the truck?

The metal is not unusually thick but the quality of it is high. The stock truck weighed about 3500#, which included a 750# flathead motor. When its done mine should be similar in weight. The engine will be lighter but the other weight will be included in power steering, AC and so forth.

Ahhh the man with the golden truck...

...the first draft of an Ian Fleming novel

I have noted some cars in the rod mags with nickel plating instead of chrome.

Anybody with experience in this subject?

I am considering it on my 39 Studebaker.

In some cases it's more like the original but it takes more maintenance. It will tarnish - or so I've been told. It does have a different look and color from chrome but I can't say which is better. As an example, old pot-belly stoves had nickle as the chrome process was yet to be invented so you could look at one (if original and not refinished in chrome) to get an idea of the look.

Dan

I have had some player piano parts nickel plated rather than chromed, and they looked great. I would think things like bumpers and such should be chrome, but the inside parts would look just fine in nickel (may even be less expensive than chrome).

They are block sanding and backfilling this week....maybe paint next week? It's physically in the paint booth now. (well the end of the shop where he paints);)

What a silly optimist I was! It won't be driving by this year labor day!;)

Sounds like the Project Rule is working for you - The last 20% of a project takes 80% of the time... and money.