My 1st vehicle was a '52 Studebaker pickup when I was 19. Now I am retired and had a 1000 sq ft shop built in my backyard. I found a '52 Studebaker pickup in southern Washington that wasn't running and decided it would be my retirement hot rod. I am using a '94 Dodge Dakota chassis, a crate LS3 drivetrain with a 6L80E six speed trans, and a Ford 8.8 rear end. One night, a cordless lithium battery on a charger failed, and burned down my shop. The Studebaker was parked next to the shop and was charred down the driver's side. As I work towards having the shop rebuilt, I decided not to let this tragedy stop my dream. I purchased another Dakota (not running), this one a '95, as my next chassis donor. I’m starting over when the new shop is finished. 45 years of tool and equipment acquisition gone in the fire, but I won't let that stop me!
