The Shed 124, December/January 2026

The Stude-Maker
Studebaker marketed their groundbreaking 1950 Aero-Nose models as “luxury for everyman.” A young Trevor Halstead thought this was a bit of him, so he began purchasing Studebakers in the early 1970s. The fact that the Champion model he chose was $50 less than the Ford he really wanted did play a small role in that life-changing decision. As they say, the rest is history.
“To the man on the street, they became known as bullet noses, and while they proved to be Studebaker’s best-selling model in 1950, those aero-lines did not age so well, and by 1952, the company reverted to a more conventional front end.
Fast forward a couple of decades into another hemisphere, and a one-man Studebaker ‘Next Look’ revival was about to begin, in the workshop of Studebaker devotee and custom-builder, Trev Halstead. This time, though, those vintage lines would take on wild and offbeat shapes.
In Trev’s shed, deep in the heart of dairy country, “Studees” as he calls them, are often completely transformed: chopped and channelled; shortened and sectioned into sleek, sometimes outlandish, jellybean-coloured chariots.
Think Big Daddy Roth cartoons and vintage sci-fi fantasy. He is known for building the shapes he likes, particularly the bullet noses, and creating completely fresh lines without sacrificing Studebaker’s distinctive look. On occasion, Trev has even been known to rebuild them as stock, too.
Whatever the brief or design, every detail is methodically and meticulously crafted by Trev, whose idiosyncratic reputation is legendary in the custom car and hot rod world.
To purchase a copy of this edition of The Shed, see the bottom of this column.
This issue also includes our FREE 2026 The Shed calendar.

Don’t miss Canmod on January 8, 2026
Every two years, MEANZ holds a national conference.
Early next year, this will be in Christchurch at the Halswell model railway run by The Canterbury Society of Model and Experimental Engineers (CSMEE).
Warm it up
How to build a Corten steel chimenea – which proves to be the perfect outdoor heater.
Outdoor fireplaces are great on a cool summer’s night and even better during the chill of autumn and spring.
Restoring a true icon
Tiger Moths have a long and significant connection to New Zealand. Our featured plane was the first one built in New Zealand in 1939. After a busy life that included crashing on a beach on The Barrier, it spent decades sitting in a shed, awaiting restoration.
Restoring a 1952 AJS Part 7
More suspension restoration, rims and spokes, petrol tank, and the time has arrived to attempt to start the engine.
Arduino basics 102 – External Communications
In the final instalment of this Arduino basics series, our electronics wizard, Mark Becket, shares some tips and advice on how to transmit data over longer distances.
Step by Step: Bringing a pinball machine back to life
Simon Haxton is unashamedly a huge pinball fanatic and shares his insights, tricks and shortcuts on how to restore an old pinball machine.
Small engine making
Mike Parker’s working career began as a travelling salesman; however, Mike was a bit different from your average commercial traveller. He started designing tooling machines, and then his engineering apprenticeship took him into business ownership and a decades-long interest in all things engineering.
Off the grid –  Patently identifying the cut of their gib
Just like Alice, Murray often finds himself heading down rabbit holes, not to Wonderland as such, but more what is this, and who made-it-land.
The Shed Shrink – A goal without a plan is just a wish
How did your 2025 go? Our Shed Shrink suggests that 2026 won’t improve unless you have a good plan.
Book Review – Machines: A Visual History By Dominic Chinea
This large-format book, with exquisite drawings by Lee John Phillips, is a companion volume to Tools: A Visual History, which was reviewed in The Shed issue 121 (June-July 2025).
Woodworking – Coming ashore
After a lifetime of working in the joinery industry, Richard heard the call of the sea and sought a life upon the ocean waves. Eventually, the draw of the shed called him ashore, where he set up his new forever workshop using a machine that has quickly become his number one woodworking tool.
Wood carving – Niue’s master Ebony carver
While on holiday in the tropical paradise of Niue, a member of our The Shed writing team, Helen Frances, had the opportunity to meet the highly regarded local woodcarver, Jack Feleti.
Know your stuff – The Shed Quiz No. 5
You’ve got a shed, and you know how to use it – but do you really understand how everything works? Test your sheddie knowledge.
Plus: The Shed Cryptic Crossword No. 2 – by Maya
Back O The Shed – The Pattern Maker's Vice
Jude restores a favourite old Jarrah bench and fits his trusty and now probably quite rare vice.
To see a fully-illustrated content rundown head here to our website