I normally shy away from barn finds of the brass era, but the story of this 1913 Studebaker Model 35 was too intriguing to ignore. The seller notes the discovery of the Studebaker involved a bit of a treasure hunt to find all of the missing components as the remains of the car were scattered across three different buildings. It’s been in the care of one family for many years, and even comes with a bill of sale from 1930! Find it here on eBay with bids to just over $4K.
The reserve remains unmet at this point, but I’m honestly not sure what a fair price for a project like this is. I’ve seen completed examples of the model fetching into the upper 30s and that was years ago; I’m sure they’ve only grown more valuable since then. The seller notes this example comes with most of the vital parts needed for reassembly, but that the wood framing on top of the chassis will have to be redone.
I believe the “Model 35” designation refers to the 35 b.h.p. offered by the four-cylinder engine. This engine actually came with an electric starter – in 1913! – that is still with the car. Appearances mean nothing, but the engine looks relatively intact from where I’m sitting. No word on the health of the engine or how difficult it is to find parts for. 1913 was apparently the first year for the electric starter, making this example particularly novel for that feature alone.
Numerous parts are included that are necessary for the rebuild. This includes the original horsehair seats and the jump seats, but the former are in need of total restoration. The seller says the reserve price is less than the sum of all the parts included on this rare Studebaker, and I imagine after tracing through three buildings for all the components, you have a pretty good sense of what’s valuable and what represents a fair price for the effort involved in tracking down the parts.
Sure looks like a cheap way to get into driving a fun vehicle. Most all there, at least all the important stuff.
It’s a long, long way from “driving”.
This is way cooler than a model T but what the T has going for it over this car is parts availability. This will only take 10 years of your life to find or have made missing parts and to complete the restoration. But if it ever gets there it will be quite spectacular. Nice find.
It would take 10 years just to figure out which parts need to be found, made, or replaced. Best to find an intact one, move to where it’s located, and set up shop. Oh, and buy a really advanced 3D printer.
Much neater than a Model T of similar vintage. Being a Studebaker there is an active organization devoted to the for help and advice.
He better sell it quick, the demographic for this car is getting smaller daily!
I don’t know how “healthy” that engine could be, looks as though the spark plugs and priming cups are welded on by rust.
Yard Art
I’m a little confused why one would shy away from Barn finds of the brass era when they are . in my opinion, the “true” barn finds. So many were scrapped during WWII it is amazing that as many did survive, and I am still amazed when they pop up in 2019 ! I would love to see each and every one of them .
What happened with this, not sell, relisted??
I have the same model and am in Tennessee as well.
Yes, way better then a model T, I have one of these too. Would like to find it!
Together can make one complete car, then complete the other one, by casting missing pieces.
Model 35’s are rare one year car, which make finding parts a bit**! I have a set of flat fenders I was not going to use….
Reply back if you can find it.
Todd