I have three questions....
First, my car is a 55 Studebaker Commander (coupe). I plan to run a non-Studebaker engine, so my understanding is this will put me in gas coupe class due to the engine swap [5.D.3 first paragraph]. My plan is to run the body as original configuration, and here is where my questions arise.
1. My car has a broken up grille and side trim pieces which are originally cast zinc and chrome plated. These are an expensive to replace one-year only part. I also have the typical Studebaker rust in both fenders and a slightly smashed drivers fender. Since getting good metal grille pieces and fenders would be considerable expense, I thought about going to a fiberglass front end. Using a 53-54 style which I also thinks looks better. So my question is that for gas coupe it says "no one-piece front ends" [5.D.3 eighth paragraph]. If I use a fibergalss front end with removeable hood, open up the grille openings to stock size, put the stock headlight buckets in place and run the stock bumpers, will this be enough to meet the "no one-piece front end" rule?
2. As for air dams, the gas coupe rule states they are allowed [5.D.3 ninth paragraph and 5.D third paragraph] and must not cover the original grille opening, extend beyond the front bumper, must be straight down from the bumper. It also states that the air dam must not cover the original grille opening. On the Studebaker, the factory splash pan under the bumper also serves to direct *some* air from under the bumper into the radiator opening. Which is way under the traditional grille opening. Does this mean when I run an air dam, I can just extend it from the bottom of the bumper down, or do I have to set it back and go from under the splash pan to maintain that opening area? See picture below attempting to show that small area under the bumper.
3. I am considering removing all the stock Studebaker front suspension and installing a solid axle, dropped style axle to help get it low and give more caster capability. I would keep the frame as original required by 5.D.3 fifth paragraph, not replacing the front frame. Just remove what is not needed for A-arm mounts and will probably use radius rods and coil-over shocks with the solid axle to have a couple inches suspension travel. Is this legal for gas coupe class? Or do I need to maintain all the original Studebaker front suspension? I would have to rebuild all the original suspension and converting to solid axle seems relatively simple. I am going straight, not trying to build a road race car after all.......
Thanks for the help, trying to make decisions before I commit money.