1948 STUDEBAKER
"STUDEMINO"

Ernie Belcher Jr.
Torrance, CA

Photos by Don Atwood 

The Studemino started life as a 1948 Champion 2 door sedan. The trunk section was removed behind the rear window and a 1964 Chevrolet El Camino bed was grafted on.  This required that the body be widened 8 inches to match the bed. The top was chopped and the cowl dropped. An extra roof section from a donor 50 Studebaker was used to widen the roof and the extra rear fenders were grafted onto the stock fenders to add length. The front "bullet nose" clip from the donor car was added and smoothed off by welding all sections together. Functional air scoops were added at the leading edges of the rear fenders. Corvette bumpers were molded at the rear and 54 Chevrolet "bubble" taillights were frenched. The headlights have also been frenched and it has a billet grille. The Studemino rides on an air suspension system. It's powered by a small block Chevrolet with fuel injection driving a four speed automatic overdrive transmission. The interior has a narrowed dash from a 1959 Chevrolet with digital gauges and a full leather interior. It has four bucket seats with a full console.