Give me the dirt…

NAME OF CAR: BOM8ER

YEAR: 1951

MAKE: Studebaker

MODEL: Starlite

COLOUR: Starlite teal

ENGINE SIZE: 299ci Studebaker V8 with forged crank, stainless valves, heavy duty valve springs, R1 Ground cam shaft, Solid lifters, Edmund 2x2 manifold carrying Stromberg WW Carbs, Avanti headers, 2” stainless exhaust to 3” lake pipes and triple 2” outlets

TRANSMISSION: T86 3 speed with overdrive to 2nd and 3rd gear

DIFF DETAILS: Dana 44 diff with 3.31:1 ratio

SUSPENSION MODIFICATIONS: 6” air bags, AVS suspension controller, relocated shocks, custom 4 link rear

BRAKES: HQ Holden front callipers, Falcon Front rotors with VH44 booster. Stock drums on the rear

WHEELS AND TYRES: 15x6” Studebaker Hawk Wheels. 215 /75 R15 wide tyres with custom hubcaps

INTERIOR MODS: Modified HQ Holden steering wheel, custom consule to modified Studebaker dash. Modified Honda Front seats, Smiths XJ jag speedo with VDO gauges

STEREO MODS: Sony head unit

OTHER MODIFICATIONS: Chassis has been smoothed with 31/2” Z-notched boxed rails

EXTERIOR MODS: Roof chop, peaked roof, split front screen, shaved gutters, enlarged windows, channelled body, moulded rear fenders, custom spats, shaved fuel filler, shaved boot with custom lower panels and custom number plate surround built in.

Studebaker Champion front nose cone, shaved bumpers, custom billet centre, widened front guards with custom inners guards. Radiused doors with shaved handles and custom glass.

So how long have you owned the car Trev?

7 years now

Where did you find it, import or around NZ?

Imported it

What made you pick this car?

It’s a Studebaker!!!

Did you buy the car as is or build it?

It’s a complete owner built car

How long was the build time?

Around 3 ½ years – approx. 3,500 hours

What condition was it in when you got it?

It was in a reasonable condition for its age really

What would be your favourite car to have?

This one at the moment

What car would you like to test drive?

63 R2 Studebaker turbo

Any other cool cars in the shed?

Yeah one or two… all Studebakers!

47 Radical Custom Coupe

50 Sedan Delivery Custom

50 Tudor Sedan – Chopped

52 Commander – Stock

53 Starlite Custom Coupe - running a 489 Big block Chev

56 Sky Hawk – nearly resto

(now that’s not a bad collection to have in the shed I reckon)

Any you wish you still owned?

Yeah, my 55 Conestoga Wagon, 53 Studebaker Land Cruiser and my Gold BOM8ER

What do you love about the car scene the most?

Cruising to shows

Favourite band / singer to go cruising with on the stereo? Stray cats, Links and the Beetles

Are you involved in any car clubs?

Te Awamutu Hot Rod Club, Stude Drivers Club of NZ

When I first spotted Neil Ward riding this gorgeous machine down by the waterfront, I knew straight away that this was going to be in the Top Bikes on Sunday.

The wide body stance of Neil’s Harley Davidson here takes it right back to the olds-cool American Graffiti days. The stance of this American cruiser set for the concrete highways of the States with a heap of style, grace and simple coolness!