Local car enthusiast salvages, restores 74-year-old model found in barn

Classic cars can be pampered vehicles that remained in one family for decades, gently passed down from generation to generation. But often, once-vintage autos and trucks wind up neglected, stored away in debris-filled warehouses or left to rust by the side of vacated dwellings.

The 1930s-era sedan that Cornelius C. Macbeth, of Charleston, located can be categorized with the latter group, an abandoned model in need of a seri-ous reclamation project as opposed to a garage-stored beauty requiring little more than a touch-up.

Macbeth, something of a specialist at restoring Studebakers, spanned the country to track down the special car. He spent three years laboring on it.

Here's Macbeth's account of his discovery and the work since.

"My 1934 Studebaker Dictator four-door sedan was a barn find," Macbeth said. "It was built at the Studebaker plant in San Diego and spent all of its life on the West Coast. The 1934 Studebaker was a carryover of the 1933 with minor changes. Studebaker released a 1934 half-year car and called it the 1934-year ahead. The half-year cars are rare and harder to find. I searched the 1934 Studebaker Dictator register and found 14 in the U.S.," he said.

"My car was a complete car with the original tires and upholstery. It started and ran but the brakes were locked up. Not surprising since they were mechanical brakes, the cables were rusted."

Macbeth said, "I started the restoration in 2005, with a body-off sand blast. I was surprised to find it had no rust, but the farm life includes a lot of dents and dings.

"I have kept the car's original look including the inside. But I modified the drive train and suspension. It can go 65 (miles per hour) and gets good fuel mileage, with air conditioning and a new four-speed (transmission). The wheels are original but modified to run late model rubber," he said.

All of the work was done locally, Macbeth said. The chassis restoration, body and paint work were split between Stono Body Works, Limehouse Custom and Upholstery and RJ&K Restoration. The dash and trim were painted wood grain, and a local artist, David May on James Island, duplicated the look.

"My license plate reads STUDE 3, (since) this is my third Studebaker restoration," Macbeth said. He offered a cautionary note: "The cost of restoring cars since my first has tripled, (I) don't know if I can afford another and that's sad.

"So to the young folks, I say, 'DON'T CRUSH THEM, RESTORE THEM.' "

Reach Jim Parker at 937-5542 or jparker@postandcourier.com.