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Nancy Daniels | profile | all galleries >> Vehicles >> Studebakers >> Restoration: 1937 Studebaker Dictator 6A tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Studebakers - Miscellaneous | Restoration: 1937 Studebaker Dictator 6A | 2003 International Studebaker Meet At Sacramento | 2003 Antique Studebaker Tour to Cal. Highway Patrol Academy | 2003: Upper Mississippi Valley Zone Meet | 2004 Studebaker Rock River Chapter Tour - Hazel Green Photo-op | 2005 Wisconsin Studebaker Drivers Club Picnic - Beckman Mill | 2006 Upper Mississippi Valley Studebaker Zone Meet | 2007 Studebaker, Avanti, Packard South Bend Meet | 2007 Upper Mississippi Valley Zone Meet - Rockford | 2009 Upper Mississippi Valley Zone Meet

Restoration: 1937 Studebaker Dictator 6A

Photos from the restoration project, mostly from Oct 2000 to Jun 2002. Done primarily at Hughes Body Shop, Cuba City, WI. The car had 16,500 original miles when restoration was started. Exterior paint matches the original Bermuda Blue irridescent (metallic). The engine was only painted, not rebuilt. The interior is original except for repainted garnish mouldings, steering column, steering wheel & parking brake handle. Note that the car has a 1938 heater. Heaters were dealer installed, and the dealer put in a 1938 heater in the winter of 1937. The heater is mounted more toward the center of the firewall than a 1937 heater. Many other pictures and lots of documentation were made during restoration. This car was my husband's pride and joy. He passed away January 2, 2009, so please do not contact me with questions about the Studebaker.
37 Studebaker before restoration (Aluminum tape on front bumpers & Wards paint covering surface rust on fenders)
37 Studebaker before restoration (Aluminum tape on front bumpers & Wards paint covering surface rust on fenders)		 37 Studebaker Dictator, after restoration, at Beckman Mill, near Beloit, WI
37 Studebaker Dictator, after restoration, at Beckman Mill, near Beloit, WI		 Another pretty picture
Another pretty picture		 Three-quarter front
Three-quarter front
Front shows fog lights added to double as turn signals
Front shows fog lights added to double as turn signals		 The end
The end		 Side
Side		 Woodcut made from previous picture
Woodcut made from previous picture
At East Dubuque home of car from 1937-71. Miss. Riv. Bridge in background
At East Dubuque home of car from 1937-71. Miss. Riv. Bridge in background		 East Dubuque - Miss. Riv. Bridge still in background
East Dubuque - Miss. Riv. Bridge still in background		 In front of car's home from 1937-1971 (garage no longer there)
In front of car's home from 1937-1971 (garage no longer there)		 Finished grille: see caption on indiv. photo (not thumbnail) (Photo by Charlie Knapp)
Finished grille: see caption on indiv. photo (not thumbnail) (Photo by Charlie Knapp)
37 Studebaker (after restoration) - Inside Front Cover: Antique Stude. Review -Sep/Oct 2002
37 Studebaker (after restoration) - Inside Front Cover: Antique Stude. Review -Sep/Oct 2002		 Antique Studebaker Review cover information (Click on thumbnail for caption)
Antique Studebaker Review cover information (Click on thumbnail for caption)		 The Story as of August 2002 (Viewed best in largest size)
The "Story" as of August 2002 (Viewed best in largest size)		 1937 Colors - mine is Bermuda Blue (Ink jet printout) Rinshed-Mason is orig. paint company
1937 Colors - mine is Bermuda Blue (Ink jet printout) Rinshed-Mason is orig. paint company
Label on inside firewall above steering column. Glued on at factory in 1937.
Label on inside firewall above steering column. Glued on at factory in 1937.		 Partially disassembled
Partially disassembled		 FireWall before restoration
FireWall before restoration		 Front clip off
Front clip off
Bare firewall
Bare firewall		 Body in prime
Body in prime		 Painted firewall
Painted firewall		 Reassembling
Reassembling
Engine ready for paint. Note: oil pan is engine color, not black as it looks in this pic.
Engine ready for paint. Note: oil pan is engine color, not black as it looks in this pic.		 Engine compartment before
Engine compartment before		 Engine compartment after. Hood springs are cad (zinc plated)
Engine compartment after. Hood springs are cad (zinc plated)		 Junction block on firewall for chassis cables
Junction block on firewall for chassis cables
Junction block from below
Junction block from below		 Firewall Grommet (Click on thumbnail for caption)
Firewall Grommet (Click on thumbnail for caption)		 Engine compartment after
Engine compartment after		 Manifold side before
Manifold side before
Manifold side after (Paint plugs are still in the engine)
Manifold side after (Paint plugs are still in the engine)		 Firewall on manifold side
Firewall on manifold side		 Transmission/overdrive before
Transmission/overdrive before		 Transmission/overdrive after
Transmission/overdrive after
Unique Thompson rubber bushing universal joints used on '37 Dictator
Unique Thompson rubber bushing universal joints used on '37 Dictator		 Rubber Universal Joint at end of drive shaft (top)
Rubber Universal Joint at end of drive shaft (top)		 Planar independent front suspension on 6A
Planar independent front suspension on 6A		 Original wheel & body pin striping. Center stripe is 1/32, then 1/16 between outer stripes which are 1/16
Original wheel & body pin striping. Center stripe is 1/32, then 1/16 between outer stripes which are 1/16"
Rear in prime
Rear in prime		 Rear painted Bermuda Blue Iridenscent
Rear painted Bermuda Blue Iridenscent		 Front during reassembly
Front during reassembly		 Reassembling in Tony's Living Room
Reassembling in Tony's Living Room
Rear & trunk before
Rear & trunk before		 Floor mat & tire not orig. Rest, incl. flat black hub cap are original
Floor mat & tire not orig. Rest, incl. flat black hub cap are original		 Underside trunk lid. Note lid hinges are body color. Springs are black
Underside trunk lid. Note lid hinges are body color. Springs are black		 Shows original interior
Shows original interior
Dash & rubber floor mat are original. See Gallery notes on 1938 heater.
Dash & rubber floor mat are original. See Gallery notes on 1938 heater.		 Turn signal controller not original. Rest is original.
Turn signal controller not original. Rest is original.		 Steering wheel & dash. (Pic taken indoors with cover on car)
Steering wheel & dash. (Pic taken indoors with cover on car)		 All door panels are original
All door panels are original
Rear interior. All original including carpet.
Rear interior. All original including carpet.		 Shows original carpeting, foot rest & robe rail cord.
Shows original carpeting, foot rest & robe rail cord.		 Rear seat (top of front seat is at bottom of photo)
Rear seat (top of front seat is at bottom of photo)		 Left rear door from inside
Left rear door from inside
Rear seat from right
Rear seat from right		 Being interviewed for a Packard/Studebaker newsletter article
Being interviewed for a Packard/Studebaker newsletter article		 Strange person with the flipped up sun glasses.
Strange person with the flipped up sun glasses.

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Don 16-Feb-2009 02:43
Great car and restoration! I am trying to do a CE this nicely. What an inspiration.
I note a comment from "Guest" that is looking for window molding. Hey Guest, I don't know what you are looking for, but if you get back to this, send an email.
Guest 09-Dec-2008 17:36
Hey Jerry, Very nice restoration. I am in the middle of restoring a 1937 Dictator 5A with a side mount. I was wondering if you would know a good place to get all the window moldings. I am having a terriable time finding them. If you do could you please E-mail me at batterypost@wzrd.com. Thank you very much. Bill
Les Warner 25-Aug-2008 13:58
Nice job Jerry. Thanks for not hot rodding it. I am restoring a 33 Studebaker at present. It is older than yours, but they are all a fun project. Les Warner Eugene,Or
Dave Britton 20-Feb-2008 02:08
Beautiful stude Jerry. i think i saw it at the 150th anniv. The silver really sets the grill off. I have a 37 Dictator 6a delux 3 window buisness coup. I bought 40 years ago from 81 year school teacher. Love old studebakers. thank You.Dave Britton.Ashtabula. Ohio. Feb. 19. 08.
Ken Meacham 09-Feb-2008 02:10
Great job on the dictator! I just purchased a barn fresh 37 3 window business coupe with dual side mounts, radio, all of goodies. I am very excited about getting it restored and finding anyone who may have a similar car, and ideas in reasonable geograhical proximity. The car is in very good condition and as you know the lines are exquisite. I'm kind of new to this endeavor and would welcome any advice etc. from any of you. I have lived in Alaska for the last 25 years and am just starting to get know a few people in the club. I still live there every summer, but am really enjoying the studebaker car/truck experience in the Lower 48, as we say in the north. I speak fluent German and would be glad to assist/converse with Joerg, if I knew his email. Thank you for a great, beautiful car and the willingness to share!

Ken Meacham, Idaho Falls area Idaho and Soldotna, Alaska.
syed 03-May-2007 18:05
Hi Syed from DELHI INDIA : I just purchased a stude 1937 with twin side mounts which came from bombay.I want to get in touch with Mr.ASHOK SHAH of Bombay who got similar model please. thanks (SYED 09811724587)
Ashok Shah 05-Mar-2007 10:06
Hi Ashok from Bombay India. I have a 1937 just like yours with twin sidemounts. Your page has inspired me to start restoring it. I will send you pictures. Great job. You must feel so good driving around.
Evyn Thorne (S Africa) 11-Feb-2007 16:29
I purchased a '57 5A Dictator with twin sidemounts and radio, the aerial for the radio is under the running board. I brought it home and made her just drivable so I could get the feeling.Maybe a retoration is in the pipeline? Wonderful to see the regalness of your beautifully restored car, congrats.
Mark 19-Nov-2006 13:11
A thing of beauty is a joy forever:
It’s loveliness increases; it will never
pass into nothingness . . .

John Keats
Endymion, 1818
Wow! Wonder if Helen Dryden realized how long her design would be admired and revered. Your hard work pays off every time you look at look at your car. To touch her and to drive her must be heaven.
Rex Wheeler (NZ) 04-Sep-2006 07:52
Very nice car. Great to see that many sheds still hold treasures. I have a '37 Dictator which was my first car 34years ago.
ken fulton 19-Jun-2006 13:08
Nice looking car,the old cars are worth there weight in gold,i have a 1952 hevy coupe iv restored it twice, you can see it on my brothers web page racersofokc.com go to my brothers cars when open.keep up the good work......ken in el paso
Rex Wheeler 29-May-2006 07:32
Really pleased to see photos of your car. What a great record. I have a 5A Dictator which Ive owned for 34 years.
Jimmy Clarke 21-May-2006 14:22
Jerry,

Absolutely beautiful! If I can get my 37' CE grill to look half as nice as yours....I'll be happy. Great job. Jimmy Clarke jclarke1@ec.rr.com
Guest 23-Sep-2005 19:06
I LOVE THESE PICTURES.
danny 21-Aug-2005 18:59
jerry, beautiful car!! very nice job on the resto! i have a 37 dictator 5a regular saloon, 4dr. no floors,sills, rockers. i also have serious rear pan,(ie;









jerry, beautiful car!! very nice job on the resto! i have a 37 dictator 5a in the works. i also have a nice 37 heater if you're interested.



Nancy Daniels01-Jan-2005 04:07
From: Robert Flateras(autofil@everyday.com) Date: 26-Nov-2004 11:26 | delete

This was very nice to see. I owned a 1937 Stude Dictator that I planed to restore. I sold it after just 1 year becorse I have not the right spark any more. I do have restored 2 other Studes that I still own. A 1964 GT Hawk and a 1947 M15A truck. They are really nice, just like your beautiful 1937!http://www.fedrelandsvennen.no/amcar/visitor/baker.html to see my 2 Studes.

Take good care of the 37'

Thanks!

Best from Robert in Norway
From: Thurman Price(trprice@comcast.net) Date: 11-Jul-2004 12:35 | delete

I really appreciated the information and pictures of the '37 Studebaker that you restored. I have been looking some time for pictures of that year's Stude. My Mom and Dad purchased a '37 Stude the Spring of 1941. We lived in Montebello Calif.and drove the car to Medford OR that Summer where we lived until Jan 1942. It was a beautiful car painted a light blue which doesn't seem to be the original color based on the information on your site. I was setting in the back seat of that car--we were on our way home from church--when we heard about the attack on Pearl Harbor. My memory is that there was a knob on the dash that one pulled to activate the starter. Is that true? Thanks for sharing your experence restoring the car.

Thurman Price
From: Jerry Daniels Date: 27-Jun-2004 03:22 | delete

Thanks for the kind comments on the car. Generally since the car was in pretty good original shape I didn't have to get as many replacement parts as others. However it was still took a couple years to get the parts -- a couple of which I was really lucky to get as I think they were the last ones available anywhere. The car is virtually all original except for the fog lights I put on to use as turn signs. We even used all the orginal bolts -- after derusting and zinc plating (It's not legal to cad plate anymore). The interior is all original, even the front rubber floor mats. The car drives great -- very tight, no squeaks.
From: Lloyd Culp(tkeplinger1819@charter.net) Date: 24-Jun-2004 02:36 | delete

It is wonderful to see an old car so appreciated. The cost and time are always worth it when this much care and expertise are exhibited. You have said little of the dead ends and items redone as well as the parts search. The results speak to me though. Thank you so much for restoring such a fine car and sharing these pictures.
From: Arntjen Jörg(joerg@arntjen.com) Date: 12-Apr-2004 12:18 | delete

Hey, Jerry
There was a beautefull car!
I Restaurate my 1937 Studebaker too
I from Germany and 20 years old .
I dont speak englich or write god englich. sorry
I send you picture from my 37 Studebaker when he finish.

Good by Jörg from Germany
click on thumbnails for full image