1956 Packard Predictor - Concept Car

Another amazing specimen at the Studebaker National Museum. This 1956 Packard Predictor concept car sports an interesting roofline/back window swoop, among other features.

Studebaker National Museum - 5 Great Cars

Nothing can compare to visiting the Studebaker National Museum in person, but below are photographs of just a few of their beautiful cars.

Featured here:

- 1950 Studebaker Commander
- 1952 Studebaker Commander
- 1963 Studebaker Lark Sedan
- 1961 Studebaker Hawk
- 1951 Studebaker Commander from the Muppet Movie

Studebaker Avanti - Model

There are many excellent attractions at the Studebaker National Museum. This Studebaker Avanti clay model is an amazing example of car design technique from the 1960s.

Studebaker International - Parts Cache

Today, I witnessed the largest cache of Studebaker parts in the world (I think).

My visit to Studebaker International was exciting on a couple of fronts:

1. I saw the origin of many of the parts we've installed on our Studebaker.

2. I was treated to a quick tour of the tens of thousands of square feet filled with the contents of Studebaker International and the remains of SASCO.

The organization of parts at SI was impressive. The racks in these pictures were unloaded at SASCO, moved, cleaned, and restocked. And not only restocked, but organized by part number.

Thanks to the folks at Studebaker International for the tour!

Studebaker International - Photographs

Below are a few pics of Studebaker International's South Bend Showroom, front door, trailer, and sign.

Studebaker Avanti 4-Door - Porsche Panamera 4-Door

I'm calling it ...

Porsche tapped the Studebaker Avanti 4-door design in creating its 4-door Panamera. The bottom-most photograph say it all. : P

Read more about the Studebaker Avanti 4-door here.

Studebaker Fire Truck - Restored

A great story about a Studebaker's homecoming.

"Thirty years after making its last big public appearance at the Spirit of the Sea Festival, the White Rock fire department’s 1925 Studebaker is coming home. The antique fire truck is to arrive at the city’s fire hall Sept. 26, after being handed over by the volunteers who have spent the last four years helping to restore it."

Read the full article here.

Studebaker Champion Photographs - 1950's Theme

We had a great drive today and took a few pics for the Studebaker Drivers Club Karel Staple Chapter 2011 calendar. Here are two great shots.

Quick Digression - Mercedes 220s - 1956–1959

I walked past this mint Mercedes 220s in Sacramento, CA, today. The hood features deeper carving than I've previously seen on a Merc ... not quite as deep as the 1950-1951 Studebaker Champion, but a nice try. ;-)

"The 220a was succeeded in March, 1956 by the 220S, which was externally almost identical, except for an additional chrome strip running along the front fenders and doors, but had an upgraded version of the 2.2L inline-six (100 PS (74 kW; 99 hp), later 106 PS (78 kW; 105 hp))."

Woodward Dream Cruise - 2010

Nice video piece by TIME about the Woodward Dream Cruise. Could use some more Studebakers though. :-)

Quick Digression: 1968 Buick LeSabre - Sacramento, CA

Here's a very nice 1968 Buick LeSabre convertible coupe spotted at Home Depot.

"The 1968 LeSabre received a minor facelift including new grilles and taillights along with concealed windshield wipers. Inside was a revised instrument panel with square speedometer surrounded by other instruments with minor trim revisions for both base and Custom models.

A new 350-cubic-inch V8 replaced the previous 340. In standard form the 350 V8 delivered 230 horsepower with two-barrel carburetor and 9 to 1 compression ratio and came with a standard three-speed manual transmission or optional two-speed Super Turbine 300 automatic. The "LeSabre 400" option package included a 280-horsepower 350 four-barrel V8 with 10.25 to 1 compression and three-speed Super Turbine 400 automatic transmission. The "Switch-Pitch" torque converter used in conjunction with the Super Turbine automatic transmission was discontinued in favor of a standard torque converter." Source: Wikipedia

Cars & Parts Magazine - September 2010

In addition to the Studebaker Daytona article noted below, Cars & Parts also has two other Studebaker stories:

1. A one-page article about the market value of the Studebaker Avanti, first shown at the 1962 New York Auto Show.

2. A look at Billy Blalack's private yard, featuring a 1956 Studebaker 4-door Champion, 1959 Lark, 1954 Studebaker Champion, and what looks like an R2 truck.

Pick up Cars & Parts at your local newsstand - September 2010 issue.

1964 Studebaker Daytona Ragtop - Cars & Parts Magazine

There is a great 5-page story in Cars & Parts magazine about Neil Loughlin's 1964 Studebaker Daytona ragtop. The article features 13 pictures and a narrative detailing the painstaking process Loughlin followed to bring his car back to life.

Cars & Parts, September 2010, page 41.