Projects 1947 studebaker m5

I just picked up this 1947 Studebaker truck. It has a one piece front end, 383 stroker and setup for Pro Street.

I am trying to think of a paint job for it other than flat black but I do not want anything flashy. any ideas ?

also I need help figuring out how to make the grill look better, being a smooth one piece is very bland.

 

Yeah, that front end looks odd. I'd track down the factory chrome for the grille & hood.

Color could go any direction. I like the darker tones on these trucks.

 

Here is the only picture I have of the front end right now. I am having trouble finding the chrome centerpiece for the grill so I may make my own.

 

They didn't have a lot of chrome on them, but removing it takes something away from them.

 

Better pic

 

I cannot locate that Center piece of the grill or the hood emblem

 

Log onto Studebaker Truck Talk forum and they'll help you out, I bet.

 

Also try Studebaker Drivers Club. "Turning Wheels" is their monthly club news letter.

 

I had a '46 M-5 in the early '70s (that I foolishly let get away, damnit) that looked good in Earl Scheib's 'Butterscotch'(better known as 'Baby-Shit Yellow'! LOL!)

 

IMO they look good in light pastel colors maybe a PPG celery green with a dark green pinstripe and wheels small hub caps and beauty rings. Or PPG vanilla and Tan, earth tones are the thing right now

 

I did this one last year

 

A front bumper would help too, IMHO

 

I shot one of those trucks for a magazine a few years back that was maroon and the color looked really good on it. Nothing fancy just a single color. It photographed well too.

There is not a lot that can be done with the stock grill they were not flashy from the factory, it was utility vehicle. They do look better in gloss though, maybe paint it and go from there. You maybe could make some stainless strips from small diameter tubing sliced in half to screw to the grill bars.

 

I'm not a fan of the 80's and 90's paint colors

 

The guy that I'm building it for wants this. I'm a little iffy, but it doesn't look bad

 

here mine from way back when

stupurear%20%28Medium%29 by Stu posted Aug 20, 2008 at 3:24 AM

stupufrt%20%28Medium%29 by Stu posted Aug 20, 2008 at 3:24 AM

 

Damn. That's fine. That's how I'd want it.

 

Yea nothing says hot rod better than a crappy paint job.

Maroon is a '40/'50s color by the way.

 

[quote uid=18860 name="noxided" post=11523682]The guy that I'm building it for wants this. I'm a little iffy, but it doesn't look bad[/QUOTE]<br />Damn. That's fine. That's how I'd want it.
Looks good

 

In addition to the chrome/lack of chrome, the looks of the front end are also affected by the missing detail lines between the outer fenders and the center section making it appear more like a block then the added style those lines provide.

 

I like old trucks with patina, and I wouldn't condemn anyone for trying to recreate that look, but that's a stretch on a fiberglass clip.