The Conservative Radical

As you can clearly see, we’ve had some pretty big changes around here. When you take a step back, you’ll discover things are noticeably sleeker yet undeniably custom — a collision of functionality and originality blending to create a final product unlike anything you’ve ever seen. Just like tastefully customized car.

When Rudy Dethloff decided to build a custom, he started with an already-futuristic 1953 Studebaker hardtop. Up front, he removed the “beak�? in the center of the Stude’s grille, created coves for the headlights and massaged the top of a ’54 Buick bumper into the stock unit. The gravel pan was sourced from a ’54 Plymouth.

Out back, Dethloff took a similar approach with frenched Lucite taillights and exhaust routed through repurposed Buick bumper guards. The rear fenders were raised 2.5 inches and the shaved decklid was extended 3.5.

With the exception of the convertible top, Mr. Dethloff’s modifications were subtle. But that was the University City, Mo. native’s formula: Strategic, Sleek and Studebaker.

In the February 1958 issue of Custom Cars, author Colin Creitz dubbed the Goddess Gold Stude the “Conservative Radical.�? More than five decades later, I’d have to agree.

Take in the details of this one. Some are hard to spot. Some aren’t. But overall, Dethloff’s custom has the complete conservative custom look.

-Joey Ukrop