Part Two - Mark Pearson's 1948 Studebaker Restoration Project - The Process Begins

Driver's side view

View of what used to be the back seat area. The radiator is visible in the trunk.

This is the driver's side after some sweeping up. The front seat frame is in its original location, minus the springs.

Under the hood. Everything is coated in dust and dirt.

The passenger side after sweeping up gobs of soil, broken glass, and piles of cotton batting from the seat. The car heater core is visible under the seat frame. I understand from a co-Stude owner that it was normal at this time for cars tohave the heater core under the passenger's seat, as it eliminated the need to have complicated ductwork to direct warm air to the passenger compartment. Some of the original upholstery is still adhering to the frame. The Climatizer is cracked in two, part of it is hanging down under the instrument panel. I did get the glove box open by removing the screws underneath. The original maintenance schedule card was there, although it's chewed on, and broken in half. Also, there was a box of fuses and a box of cotter pins in a fuse box.

The rear driver's side door still has the original upholstery on it, although it is definitely worse for the wear. The window glass is broken in half, and the door hinge opening in the body is stuffed with old seed husks (wheat??) and cotton batting. Every opening in the body was stuffed with bits of the cotton batting from the seats. Although I was able to find all four of the chrome edging for the bottom of the doors, I only have two of the chrome strips for the middle of the doors. Based on the fact that there are many cars from this era, and much older, that still have the original upholstery in excellent condition, I conclude that Rusty's owers were not overly concerned about preserving him for future generations.

More to Come!