Postwar Studebakers

kyfdx

texases said:

It hadn't registered that was in Cincy. I grew up 4 miles from that dealer, in North College Hill.

North College Hill Bakery.... MMMMMMM

kyfdx

texases said:

It hadn't registered that was in Cincy. I grew up 4 miles from that dealer, in North College Hill.

Have you been back, recently? College Hill is the new hip neighborhood in Cincinnati (restaurants, brewery, etc.)

texases

I agree on the excellence of the NCH bakery, first went there with my mom in 1962 or so, go I back every time I'm there. Haven't been back for a few years, family's moved elsewhere. I do remember College Hill sprucing up a bit.

uplanderguy

Of all those '37 Cinci-area Stude dealers, only Scott Motor Co. in Georgetown and Koehler Bros. made it to 1953. It appears that none of them lasted into the sixties.

My daughters both went to school at Miami in Oxford, OH. Younger one loved going into Cinci. I loved Oxford and thought I could walk everywhere there and enjoy myself, but I grew up in a small town. Daughter loved North Star, a quality breakfast place, small chain I think. There was one in greater Cinci and also one in Columbus.

ab348

Speaking of former Studebaker dealer buildings, one of the ones shown in that 1941 ad I posted last week still stands on Yonge St in Toronto. This is it a few years ago though it is now being renovated for a different tenant.

imidazol97

uplanderguy said:

Of all those '37 Cinci-area Stude dealers, only Scott Motor Co. in Georgetown and Koehler Bros. made it to 1953. It appears that none of them lasted into the sixties.

Was there a Studebaker dealer in the area into the 60s? You just answered my question about the longevity of the ones that were named in the ad from 1937.

uplanderguy

Found this newspaper ad from the 1963 model year, showing nine area Cinci Studebaker dealers:

kyfdx

Holy cow! That's a lot of dealers.

kyfdx

The one on Madison? That was a Saab dealer, until about 17 years ago, and now it's a high-line used car dealer (Luxury Motors), plus a VW/Audi repair specialist, next door (Dubwerx).

sda

Was the sunroof available on the 4dr Cruiser? The ad indicates it was. That was unique for a domestic.

uplanderguy

Was the sunroof available on the 4dr Cruiser? The ad indicates it was. That was unique for a domestic.

Yes, it was. Only '63 Cruiser I've ever seen with one was this one. I love the car and would sell my current Cruiser for this car.

uplanderguy

That Skytop also had the rare optional broadcloth upholstery, to boot.

IMHO that car is probably the most European-flavored domestic sedan available in the sixties.



Although they didn't advertise trucks much by '63, they still had a full-line of trucks to sell too, from pickups to two-tons, gas and diesel.

imidazol97

kyfdx said:

Holy cow! That's a lot of dealers.

I wonder how many had gone through the Mercedes sales as well as Studebaker.
Packard?

uplanderguy

My guess, only that, is of the nine dealers, probably two or three also sold M-B.

When Packard bought Studebaker in 1954, they attempted, of course, to dual dealers. Studebaker had a larger dealer network so in most places where there was a Packard dealer, there was already a Studebaker dealer. The stand-alone Packard dealers had a rough time a couple years in, and many went over to Edsel, which seemed like a good lifeboat of opportunity, but Edsel sales never took off of course, and in '59 Studebaker made more money than they had ever made in their 107-year history.

My hometown dealer had sold Studebaker from 1926 on, and signed on with Packard in 1941 and either dropped them, or was dropped by them, around 1950. For the '55 model year they sold Packard again through '58. My dealer friend said he never sold a single '57 or '58 Packard.

fintail

I saw this not long ago, must be from the very beginning of the partnership by the verbiage:

uplanderguy

I just saw that same ad yesterday morning. Definitely near the front end of the M-B agreement.

uplanderguy

Can't be so choosy at this point in time of course, but if that black Skytop Cruiser with red broadcloth also had the blower, disc brakes (it may, who knows), and the 50/50 split front seat with recliners, it'd been one as I've had ordered then.

texases

From Scotsman to 300SL - quite the range!

fintail

I'll guess 1957 - I see a 300SL gullwing and a roadster, they could coexist as new cars for a brief moment in time.

fintail

Today is "Back to the Future Day" (or it was in 2015), here's a prop newspaper that is briefly seen in 1955 Hill Valley:

uplanderguy

I always liked the '53-55 full wheelcovers. Simple, with a gold center.

uplanderguy

That '63 newspaper ad, above...I just noticed a couple things, since the reproduction is so dark.

There is verbiage up where the cars are, that says "In the footsteps of no one".

In the lower right corner, I'm certain it says "Watch Mr. Ed".

uplanderguy

Even with the wheels and tires, I'm liking this recent pic from the Studebaker Drivers' Club forum, of a '64 Daytona Hardtop. Production only 2,414, and that's both South Bend and Hamilton.

thebean

I’m not fond of black cars, but that is a very sharp buggy. 👍

uplanderguy

I had posted a couple weeks or so ago here, about my friend selling all four of his Astra White 1964 Daytonas, one of each body style. He did sell to a truck dealer in South Bend of all places, who wants them for his personal collection. So they are returning to where all four were built.

Here's a link with pics of the transition.

https://forum.studebakerdriversclub.com/forum/your-studebaker-forum/general-studebaker-specific-discussion/1964270-homeward-bound-64-daytona-collection-goes-home-w-update

texases

It's great when a little piece of history is preserved like that.

imidazol97

Thx for sharing that.

ab348

I did not realize it was Bob Palma that was stricken. That makes me sad. I always enjoyed his pieces in Hemmings over the years.

thebean

ab348 said:

I did not realize it was Bob Palma that was stricken. That makes me sad. I always enjoyed his pieces in Hemmings over the years.

+1 Very sad news. Cancer is such a b***h.

uplanderguy

Interior photos of the Studebaker Administration Building taken in 2020, below link. The woodwork in the executive offices is still pretty cool, as is the "Mural of Transportation" around the inside walls:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/2209016075/search/?q=Administration Building

uplanderguy

When I hit the link on my laptop, it takes me right where the pics are. When I do it on my phone, it just takes me to the "Studebaker Addicts" page and not to the pics of the building. Sorry about that.

fintail

The link takes me to all search results for "Administration Building" in that group.

On that note, it's interesting that facebook has become of dubious merit, seeming to exist mostly for wingnuts to screech deplorable opinions, political or otherwise. However, so many hobby groups have migrated there - most of the car groups I follow are there, along with other hobbies. It became the 90s era message board.

uplanderguy

For my Studebaker hobby, I far-prefer the Studebaker Drivers' Club page and forum. Studebaker pages on Facebook actually have more people frequenting them, but the stupidity of the comments overall, and the ability of parts scammers to operate there, makes me not to want to hang out on those particular pages all that much. I do like Facebook, mostly, for keeping me in touch with classmates and other friends.

I learned early-on to not post political stuff at all on FB. But boy, I wish more people took that tack. On the flip side, I know people who would stop just short of asking which party you're registered with to see if they'll still be friends. That's screwed up.

I have an in-law who posts stuff about her hatred of police on FB. Yet in person, she can 'flip that switch' and be all smiley-pleasant. She has young kids. What a wonderful thing to teach your kids, sheesh.

uplanderguy

Here's a photo from Oct. '63. Final assembly ended just two months later.

fintail

There are a couple active traditional MB forums out there, but fb has numerous groups for specific models - I am in two active groups for fintails alone, and every model has at least one group. I think it's the international aspect for that brand, fb has many more users in other nations than in the US, and it attracts people from all over.

My fb profile displays minimal data and I don't post personal material. Some people have no self-awareness - the false promise of anonymity sometimes lets true colors shine through.

uplanderguy said:

For my Studebaker hobby, I far-prefer the Studebaker Drivers' Club page and forum. Studebaker pages on Facebook actually have more people frequenting them, but the stupidity of the comments overall, and the ability of parts scammers to operate there, makes me not to want to hang out on those particular pages all that much. I do like Facebook, mostly, for keeping me in touch with classmates and other friends.

I learned early-on to not post political stuff at all on FB. But boy, I wish more people took that tack. On the flip side, I know people who would stop just short of asking which party you're registered with to see if they'll still be friends. That's screwed up.

I have an in-law who posts stuff about her hatred of police on FB. Yet in person, she can 'flip that switch' and be all smiley-pleasant. She has young kids. What a wonderful thing to teach your kids, sheesh.

uplanderguy

BTW, that Oct. '63 photo is the third and fourth floors of the building.

I was in kindergarten when that pic was taken. I have several clear memories of kindergarten. Seems like I always compare historical or pop-culture events/photos with where I was in school at the time, to help me get a 'feel' for the time period.

fintail

I am surprised they put the lowered ceiling with modern (fluorescent?) lights in that building - someone must have been trying to appear up to date.

uplanderguy

I have read that shortly after Egbert arrived in early '61, he had the building remodeled, although most things I've read centered around the lobby. When I was in the building last in 2018, it still looked like 1961 in the lobby--paneling, and a curved wooden receptionist area in the center. The pics I linked to were taken in 2020. In 2018 there was some graffiti on interior walls, and a chandelier was on the floor--appeared someone tried to steal it but couldn't get it outside.

Here's a 2020 pic of that area with all that lowered ceiling gone.



They always had a couple current models on display in the lobby. I've seen a pic with a 190 there.

fintail

uplanderguy said:

I have read that shortly after Egbert arrived in early '61, he had the building remodeled, although most things I've read centered around the lobby. When I was in the building last in 2018, it still looked like 1961 in the lobby--paneling, and a curved wooden receptionist area in the center. The pics I linked to were taken in 2020. In 2018 there was some graffiti on interior walls, and a chandelier was on the floor--appeared someone tried to steal it but couldn't get it outside.

Here's a 2020 pic of that area with all that lowered ceiling gone.



They always had a couple current models on display in the lobby. I've seen a pic with a 190 there.

190SL?

When were the murals painted? Nice that they survived.

uplanderguy

Yes, 190SL.

Building was built in 1909, and I believe the mural is original to that date.

imidazol97

There's an article in Classic Cars about a 1935 Studebaker Dictator that is
a "driveable dream." This is the car...


https://www.hemmings.com/stories/1935-studebaker-dictator-useable-antique/

ab348

I read that article last week. Interesting car, especially how it is mostly original and only preserved, not restored. The owner needs the drivers side glovebox door (it has one on either side of the dash).

uplanderguy

Thanks for the pic and link; I'd let my subscription to HCC lapse.

uplanderguy

Tucked the '66 away for the winter yesterday, sigh. Backing it in and with no power steering, is always a bit of a feat. I'm admittedly spoiled with backup cameras, and yes, power steering.

sda

What steps do you take to prepare it for the winter nap? Are mice an issue?

uplanderguy

Well, I put Sta-Bil Marine in before I gas up, pour a bottle of lead substitute in, then fill up with ethanol-free 90 or 91 octane. I put Bounce sheets on each of the (basic) four floor positions inside the car, on the rear package shelf, on top of the dash, under the hood in several places, in front of and behind each tire and wheel, and on top of the tailpipe in back. I disconnect the battery (have a cheap switch; I have it disconnected even when in the nice weather I keep the car in our attached garage). I pull the sunvisors down a bit as I've heard of mice chewing up in there. The storage place has a plastic box about the size of a restaurant carryout box that says "POISON" on it inside my space, but that was about from three years ago. I have never seen any evidence at all of critters in the space in the spring. I am several in from the end of the building on each side, and there is another space behind me, separated by metal walls. I think I've probably been lucky so far.

fintail

I've had that same task. There were signs of at least a couple mice in my (detached) garage existing in the past, as the prior owner had poison in a few locations. I put out some new poison and repellant in the garage and some strongly scented repellent packs in a few spots, I've done the dryer sheet thing too. Haven't seen anything, and now when I am in the garage I watch things like a hawk.

Maybe good or not, I don't put anything in the gas nor disconnect the battery. After the car is dormant for a month or so I will probably go start it and let it idle for 20-30 mins as I did last winter.

uplanderguy

Are your winters mild there?

fintail

Maybe compared to Alaska or the Dakotas. We average maybe 45-50" of snow and usually get down to around 0 at least once a season. We got several inches of snow last night. My garage isn't heated, but there's no real draw on the battery, and I have a jumper if needed.

ab348

When I had the Cutlass I did all of those things. I did have a mouse problem one year but found how they were getting in and sealed that. I also bought an ultrasonic gizmo that plugs into a wall outlet that apparently makes a piercing sound only mouse ears can hear and is supposed to keep them away. Maybe it works, I dunno.