Postwar Studebakers

texases · October 3

Of all the '50s-era domestic cars, that one remains one of the most 'modern' to my eyes.

thebean · October 3

Packard Hawk? Or a custom, like @ab348 said?

uplanderguy · October 4

That car started life as a '53 Studebaker, but of course has some custom touches. The Bonneville record-breaking cars were much later. The '53 Stude body was a favorite as it was fairly aerodynamic especially for the time period. Much-bigger engines were used at Bonneville in these cars though.

Studebaker set a slew of speed records at Bonneville in October 1963 with factory-powered cars.

ab348 · October 5

The Halibrand-style wheels were what made me think Bonneville, plus the body changes. A very cool car.

uplanderguy · October 31

Posted the bottom photo recently, but pairing it with a pic of the same car on Labor Day weekend 1964, in Yellowstone, courtesy of the original owners.

uplanderguy · October 31

Pretty ‘57 Packard Country Sedan

imidazol97 · October 31

The Packard is good looking.

thebean · October 31

It is, but I just can’t let myself call it a Packard.

fintail · October 31

I forgot Packard used the Country Sedan name.

uplanderguy · November 1

That's a good angle of that Clipper I think. Other than a Caribbean or Four-Hundred, I prefer it to earlier '50's Packards, as it isn't chunky. It's pretty svelte by '50's standards IMHO.

uplanderguy · November 15

My friend Ed passed about three weeks ago, during heart surgery. He was a very young 86 and a real Studebaker man. When young, he worked at Mack Auto Sales in Akron, the city's oldest Studebaker dealer.

He had a few trucks, a '52 convertible, the below '64 convertible, and a gorgeous '64 Gran Turismo Hawk with the complete 'Super' package.

At his service, his roommate asked if I wanted the below photo. I took it.

I found out for Ed, that his '64 convertible was the only black-with-blue interior '64 convertible built in the shortened '64 model year (out of 484 South Bend '64 convertibles). He was tickled with that.

The convertible was built 11/27/63, one day before Thanksgiving and five days after JFK's assassination, and his Hawk was built 11/25/63, the day of JFK's funeral.

He's much-missed in our club already.

uplanderguy · December 3

Cute ‘59 Lark police car. Pic taken from recent online post.

fintail · December 3

I assume not used for pursuits

uplanderguy · December 4

In two-door form, probably not. But could be had with four-barrel and dual exhausts. Nothing over at Rambler American like that!

thebean · December 4

Rambler Rebel?

uplanderguy · December 4

Lark is most comparable in size to the American.

I’m not sure there was a Rebel in ‘59.

fintail · December 4

Were there ever any "hot" Larks used as police cars? That two door with its stance doesn't make me think speed.

explorerx4 · December 4

That picture of the Lark looks a bit strange with the front tires looking so much larger then the rear ones.

uplanderguy · December 4

Lark was unusual its entire run as every one had 15 inch wheels. That pic makes me wonder if it’s the six with optional HD shocks and springs, lol.

uplanderguy · December 4

Here’s a ‘62 Indiana State Police Lark, taken in ‘62.

uplanderguy · December 4

Here’s a brief ride along with the Stude Museum’s ‘64 Pursuit Marshal:

facebook.com/watch/?v=441580966529372

uplanderguy · December 4

Well, I don’t know why the link doesn’t work. That is exactly what is in the bar at the top of the screen, sigh.

S*** like this drives me nuts.

sda · December 4

Adam on his channel had a list of the best looking domestic cars from the 50s. He named the 53 Studebaker Hawk as #1. It was sleek, low and a style leader.

fintail · December 4

I didn't think of that, IN and South Bend probably had Studes in numerous roles.

I recall an old article about the city of Seattle having a fleet of Larks, but not for police use.

imidazol97 · December 4

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=441580966529372
Pursuit video link

uplanderguy · December 5

Thank you for posting that link.

imidazol97 · December 5

If on a win 10computer, be sure you've selected to have security updates for another year on the windows update page in settings. It's not feature updates, but security.

uplanderguy · December 5

Lovin’ this Avanti for sale, owned by the original family for 58 years

fintail · December 5

I know it is not a universal opinion, but I prefer the round light Avanti.

texases · December 5

What do folks think of today's NPorND?
https://www.jalopnik.com/2043849/1963-studebaker-avanti-r2-for-sale-19500/

ab348 · December 5

fintail said:
I know it is not a universal opinion, but I prefer the round light Avanti.

Same here.

uplanderguy · December 6

I preferred the round lights for a long time, then vascillated back and forth, but now think I like the square lights better, probably mostly because only 809 of 4,643 Studebaker Avantis had them. Of course, all Avanti II’s had square so that dilutes the Studebaker numbers.

There were many running changes made in the Avanti’s about 18 mos. of Studebaker production. Some were esoteric and others were practical, mechanical things. I’d like a late ‘64 now as it would have all the updates. I also like the thicker front seats made noticeable here by the addition of another section behind. A friend says all they do is reduce rear seat legroom, lol.

I also like the monochrome interior and though I often goof on fake woodgrain, think it adds to the Avanti’s interior.

I like black Avantis, but not the one shown above in the link. I can’t get past the seat trim.

There was a guy in Maryland who bought and sold hundreds of Studes over the years. He always said “There’s nothing more expensive than a cheap Avanti”, lol.

fintail · December 6

Oh it can get worse, think cheap S-class or cheap Rolls-Royce

I've seen early run Avantis in a pretty silver blue or turquoise with matching interior or white interior, those would be my choice.

uplanderguy · December 9

On this date in 1963, Studebaker’s decision to cease U.S. production was announced, ending 111 years of production in South Bend. The last car off the regular production line was built Dec. 20. It was this red ‘64 Daytona Hardtop with 4-speed, disc brakes, and 240 hp engine that had been ordered by a customer at the dealer in Moselem Springs, PA. The decision was made to give the car to the City of South Bend and is in the Studebaker National Museum in South Bend with under 24 miles. They have received many requests to inspect the car by people restoring a ‘64 for authenticity.

Postwar Studebakers

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