Confused? Allow me to clarify. This unique convertible was recently discovered at Fiberglass Farms, a junkyard specializing in classic cars with fiberglass bodies. Despite having no historical significance, the team at Undiscovered Classics decided to restore it, making it a noteworthy endeavor. Furthermore, this one-of-a-kind fiberglass vehicle stands out from all others produced in the 1950s.
You may be wondering why it is referred to as a Studebaker. Well, that’s simply because the current owner named it the Stiletto, and it is built on a Studebaker frame. Although we don’t have information about the specific chassis used, Studebaker had a variety of vehicles available during that time. Our host suggests that this roadster was constructed between 1955 and 1957.
At the time, Studebaker had already introduced their first designs after World War II, including the redesigned Land Cruiser, Commander, and Champion. It is likely that the builder of this unique vehicle utilized a chassis from one of these cars. However, it is worth noting that this convertible is actually shorter than the contemporary Studebaker models. This detail may hint that the original version of this vehicle was powered by one of Studebaker’s L-head six-cylinder engines.
The story goes that the Stiletto was a father and son project, and judging by its appearance, it spent many years in junkyards. In fact, there is no evidence to suggest that it was ever driven on public roads. Luckily, the original builder chose to use fiberglass for the body, as a steel body would have likely disintegrated over time.
The use of fiberglass construction is one of the aspects that caught my attention. During the 1950s, fiberglass was still a relatively new material. The first American production vehicle with a fiberglass body, the Woodill Wildfire, was introduced in 1952, a year before the Chevrolet Corvette.
Another notable example is the Kaiser Darrin. It was presented as a prototype in September 1952, two months prior to the debut of the Corvette, and entered production in early 1954. This suggests that the individual behind this mysterious Studebaker-based roadster was among the pioneers in utilizing fiberglass. This is particularly impressive considering they did not have the resources of a large company.
So, what is the future for this so-called Studebaker Stiletto? Fortunately, our host intends to restore it and get it back on the road. However, the restoration process will involve various design modifications, including changes to the rear fascia. To get a better idea of what will be altered, you can take a look at these sketches. However, it will likely be several years before the Stiletto is fully restored.
In the meantime, you can witness its rescue from Fiberglass Farms. Additionally, you may be interested in exploring the 1955 Cadillac Die Valkyrie concept car, which was designed by Brooks Stevens and could have potentially served as inspiration for this fiberglass roadster.
According to the Source autoevolution.com