Frankenstude: Thom Taylor's Custom Symphony on Wheels

ONE-OFF - Car modifications have always been a fascinating journey for enthusiasts who seek to transform their vehicles into something extraordinary. Much like how musicians reshape melodies into new creations, car owners often collaborate with builders to give new life to their aging rides. One remarkable example of this is Thom Taylor’s desire to reinvent his old Studebaker, resulting in a creation that has stunned the automotive world: Frankenstude.

Thom Taylor's Frankenstude's body constructed by Greg Fleury. (Picture from: AMCarGuide)

The story began in 1990 when Thom Taylor, an automotive artist known for his unique designs, first sketched out his vision for a heavily customized Studebaker. Inspired by Larry Erickson’s famous CadZZilla, built by the legendary Boyd Coddington, Thom envisioned something equally outrageous for his own project. He had always admired how CadZZilla turned heads, and this fueled his ambition to create a car that would not only stand out but redefine expectations.

Thom Taylor's Frankenstude's front fenders came from a 1950 Studebaker, while the rear fenders were sourced from the 1947 version. (Picture from: KustomKingdom)

Thom took his design for what would later be called Frankenstude to Boyd Coddington, hoping that the famous builder would take on the project. Surprisingly, Boyd passed on it. However, this didn’t discourage Thom, as he found a willing collaborator in Steve Anderson. Steve, who shared Thom’s vision for a radical car, began turning this wild idea into a reality, marking the beginning of a lengthy but rewarding journey.

Thom Taylor's Frankenstude featured a custom-built interior, with the dashboard components made from scratch and various specialists perfecting every detail. (Picture from: TheLowered)

The body of Frankenstude was a true amalgamation of various Studebaker models, each carefully selected to fit the bold design. Rod constructor Greg Fleury took on the complex task of piecing together the car’s body. He used a 1948 Starlight Studebaker as the base, adding a nose and hood from a 1951 model. The front fenders came from a 1950 Studebaker, while the rear fenders were sourced from the 1947 version. This fusion of different elements gave Frankenstude its unique appearance, blending different eras of the Studebaker into one cohesive, jaw-dropping machine.

Thom Taylor's Frankenstude was a 4-wheel drive car used the GMC AWD components in the front and early Corvette's parts in the back to make an independent suspension with disc brakes. (Picture from: AMCarGuide)

One of the most challenging aspects of Frankenstude’s construction was its drivetrain. Thom envisioned the car as a 4-wheel-drive vehicle, something rarely seen in hot rod culture. Greg took on the task, incorporating GMC all-wheel-drive components for the front suspension and early Corvette parts for the rear, creating an independent suspension system that included disc brakes. This setup ensured that Frankenstude was not only visually striking but also mechanically advanced.

Thom Taylor's Frankenstude used the tuned Chevrolet L-98 350-cid V8 engine mated with he GM 700R4 automatic transmission system and installed it onto the custom tube frame. (Picture from: AMCarGuide)

Inside, the car’s transformation continued with a fully customized interior. The dashboard components were built from scratch, and various interior specialists contributed to perfecting every detail. The finishing touch was the car’s stunning Custom Purple paint job, applied by the renowned House of Kolor. This bold choice of color highlighted the car’s radical design and made it stand out in any setting.

The HOTROD magazine listed Thom Taylor's Frankenstude in its "Top 100 Hot Rods That Changed the World" list. (Picture from: AMCarGuide)

Frankenstude’s exterior was further enhanced by its custom-made 17-inch wheels and a one-of-a-kind steering wheel, both created by Boyd Coddington. A truly unique feature of the car was its scissor-style doors, which first moved outward before turning vertically. This not only added to the car’s futuristic look but also made it a functional showpiece, demonstrating the level of creativity and craftsmanship involved in its creation.

Thom Taylor's Frankenstude got 17-inch wheels and one of a kind steering wheel both custom made by Boyd Coddington. (Picture from: Petersen Museum)

The process of building Frankenstude was anything but quick. It took two years to finalize the bodywork and another five years to resolve various technical challenges. But the time invested in the project paid off when the car finally made its debut. The moment Frankenstude was shown to the public, it became an instant sensation. Its bold design and meticulous craftsmanship earned it a spot in HOTROD magazine’s "Top 100 Hot Rods That Changed the World" list, cementing its place in automotive history.

Frankenstude isn’t just a car—it’s a masterpiece of automotive design and innovation. What started as Thom Taylor’s vision has become an iconic symbol of what’s possible when creativity meets skill. *** [EKA [08052020] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | PETERSEN AUTOMOTIVE MUSEUM | AMCARGUIDE | KUSTOMKINGDOM ]

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