I always admire quirky classics, especially when a particular design feature is the result of lateral thinking. Therefore, I find myself irresistibly drawn to this 1966 Studebaker Wagonaire. Its sliding rear roof offers much of the versatility and load-carrying capacity of a Pickup, while maintaining the comfort and convenience typically associated with a traditional Station Wagon. This 1966 model is a rare example of the breed that shows promise as a project candidate. The first owner equipped it with some desirable options, including a V8 under the hood. The seller has listed the Studebaker here on eBay in Saint Clair Shores, Michigan. They set their BIN at $12,500 with the option to make an offer.
Studebaker introduced the Wagonaire in 1963, with production continuing until the company closed shop in 1966. It represented a perfect example of its ability to expand its model range on a shoestring budget. The Wagonaire utilized the lower body of the existing Lark Station Wagon. By adapting the roof that was unveiled on the 1959 Scimitar Concept, Studebaker released a new vehicle that couldn’t help but turn heads. Its innovative retractable rear roof section allowed the Wagonaire to carry tall loads easily, with the vehicle feeling more like a standard Station Wagon with the roof returned to its normal position. The first owner ordered this classic in Niagara Blue, with the seller confirming that it has undergone a repaint at some point. The listing images suggest that the vehicle remains presentable, and fitting a new set of hubcaps would be a cheap way to dramatically improve its appearance. The paint shines nicely, and if items like the front bumper made a trip to the platers, this wagon would look pretty nice. The seller hasn’t located any obvious rust problems, although it is always worth checking the roof tracks. Dirt and moisture can accumulate in this area, and repairs can be time-consuming. Otherwise, with no pressing needs, a simple mechanical revival might be all that stands between this Wagonaire and life on the open road.
One change made to the Wagonaire by Studebaker from the 1965 model year was to abandon its own engines in favor of powerplants sourced from General Motors. This 1966 gem features the 283ci “Thunderbolt” V8, with that year’s Sales Brochure quoting power and torque figures of 195hp and 285 ft/lbs. The first owner’s decision to team the V8 with a three-speed Flight-O-Matic transmission and power steering should provide an effortless driving experience. The seller states that this Studebaker isn’t roadworthy, although they have coaxed its engine to life. It requires work before hitting the road, and fitting the supplied new master cylinder will be the first step in that process. An in-person inspection will undoubtedly reveal other work and more parts to add to the shopping list, but it appears that the buyer will be working from a pretty sound foundation.
The interior reveals another change to the Wagonaire that was only made during the final production year. Buyers had previously been able to order these Wagons with a rear-facing third-row seat, lifting passenger capacity to eight. However, this option was deleted for the final year, making this a genuine six-seater. The interior is generally in good condition for an unrestored classic of this vintage. The front seat sports some tape that may conceal splits or rips, and it is unclear whether the faults beneath are easily repaired. The dash and pad look excellent, the woodgrain is in good order, and the only other obvious fault is the absence of some small items, like a couple of winder handles. The first owner continued splashing cash inside this classic, equipping the interior with air conditioning and a factory AM radio.
No amount of lateral thinking could save Studebaker, with the company drawing the curtain in 1966 after only 618 examples of the Wagonaire had left the factory. That makes this final-year example a rare vehicle, and well worth returning to its former glory. The seller’s price is probably realistic when we consider the options and the vehicle’s overall condition. Of course, their willingness to negotiate may improve the situation, making this Studebaker worth a closer look.
For some reason,the top looks taller than others I’ve seen pictures
of.I always thought that these were cool vehicles.
Agree, angliagt. Maybe it’s odd camera angles?
Yarr, matey, where’s the rest of the gas pedal? Actually, that IS the gas pedal, never saw that before. Somebody went hog wild on the option sheet here, and the sliding roof, which leaked like a sieve, I heard, was actually $100 less than the fixed roof wagon, that this car shared little with. It was a fairly popular feature, with 12,000 sold in ’63, the best year. By ’66, however, only 618 cars like this were made, making it more rare than the Alaska CJ8 postal Jeep. Here’s another tid-bit I never thought about. Being the brainchild of Brooks Stevens, can anyone name a vehicle invented by him with a similar name? Yep, the “Wagoneer”. I read these cost over $3800, as equipped, almost $500 more than an Impala and as it turned out, the sliding roof didn’t help matters, and Studebaker was gone.
We in Wisconsin sighed a collective relief when Studebaker went under, we no longer had competition for #4 carmaker, but was bittersweet, as we suffered a similar fate not many years later.
Ok, for you Andy Griffith fans, who drove a 1966 Studebaker after the show ended?
Aunt Bea! I like the front end in the 66s
“Aunt Bea” – Francis (I can’t spell here last name).
“Bauvier” if memory serves me right! :-)
Ding, ding ding, yep ( spelled Aunt BEE, for the series, I BEElieve), apparently, she remained in Siler City, NC. a town mentioned on the show many times, and never had a car, even though she was shown buying one on the show, a ’56 Ford convertible, I think. After the show, she bought herself a brand new car, a 1966 Studebaker Daytona hardtop, and kept it as her only car until she died in 1989. She was 86. I heard, she never did anything else after the show, and was actually devastated when the show ended. She truly lived the part of Aunt Bee. It was said, she and Andy didn’t get along well, and clashed several times off screen. Ask Opie, he’ll tell ya’,,
I think Andy would have mopped the floor with Aunt Bee. Now, I’m no Dana White but the main event of the evening would be Andy of Mayberry versus Lucas McCain of North Fork. Opie and Mark would have been fast friends
Frances Bavier drove Studebakers for 40 years and actually wrote the company requesting the final one off the line. They didn’t honor her request, so she bought a 6-cylinder 1966 Daytona coupe after production ended. The car was in dilapidated shape in her carport at the time of her death.
Didn’t get along very well? From what I read they hated each other and avoided each other until it was time to perform. Then go their separate ways after the scene.
Of course, I also read Andy Griffith was difficult to work with for anyone.
I remember seeing a few Stuebakers around this time. Always thought they were plain and boxy especially compared to the flash of GM.
Never saw a sliding roof in person but read about them later in life.
GMC tried it again in 2004 on the Envoy SUV. With slight variations. GMC had a fold down window behind the rear seat to block off the very back if you wanted to when the roof was open. Or you could leave the window down and have a large open space.
I still want to get a 2004 Envoy, but they were rare also and getting rarer.
If you are looking for a good solid platform for a entrance in to the Studebaker world this is a good candidate. Good color and condition. Nice winter project. But why is all the cars I want on the left coast? I guess it keeps me out of the dog house with my wife.
But, it’s not on the left coast. It’s on the East Coast . . . . of Michigan :-P
Aunt Bee’s Studebaker survives! I recall an article in Hemmings about 8-10 years ago that highlighted the vehicle with documentation proving its provenance. It was just an old neglected car at the time and wasnt worth much. The vehicle never lived in NC as she purchased it in LA and that was where it turned up, don’t know where it is today but a Mayberry nut was the buyer years ago.
Aside from all the trivia about Mayberry, didn’t we see this car posted last year??
The idea of a canvas material sliding roof was adopted by another company, VW. The 21 window vans had the same se tup and now are selling for six figures. This car is over priced if major work is required to make it road worthy imho.
Brooks Stevens had one of these in his museum. (Surprise, surprise) And we talked about it there. Many don’t know or realize this. But GMC had the same option on it’s longer wheelbase Envoy. (It leaked also) Fortunately when it leaked it leaked into the spare tire well. I had a customer that despite the leak, he loved his as he used his in his business.
A rude Stude built in my hometown of Windsor, ON! Beauty.
Surprisingly there were several of these wagons here in my small town that I’ve seen over the last 20 years or so, but not so much anymore. Might still be one on a ranch north of town.
Aunt Bee’s car was in the garage of her home in Silver City ,NC when she died.. After the Andy Grithify. ended she is was in Mayberry RFD with Ken Berry. She also was in the original movie The Day The Earth Stood Still.
The seller blows off the issue of “flood” while there is not the amount of electronics to contend with, there is very frequently an unpleasant surprise waiting for the buyer. Just a 50/50 call. love the car, but 12K for flooded car is way too much and the leaky slide back roof is something to consider. Lucas is the inventor of darkness, Studebaker is the inventor of inside rain. Great idea, poor application on the roof.
Steve Mags just did a video this week on one of these on YouTube this week from a junk yard in Vt.
Will be easy to update that Chevy drivetrain.
I love these and would like to get my hands on one…but it has to be indoors and I lack the room.
If it was flooded, I don’t see salt damage or mold. Better shots of the door panels would help.
It’s a Canadian-built car. With what sounds like a salvage title. A US title? Probably, based on the narrative about where it was parked.
It has no master cylinder, and a fuel delivery/fuel line/tank issue. Are tanks for it available?
Bob, no one here has your answers, so probably ask the seller about salvage title, US title, mold, additional pictures and the fuel delivery/fuel line/tank issue.
I hear a lot about the woes of the leaky sliding roofs on these Wagonaires, but as the owner of a dead stock ’65, I can attest that the fun far outweighs concerns about that. Of course, I garage mine, and only use it on sunny days. But unfold the rear-facing 3rd-row seat, open the roof, and you’ve got the closest thing to a rumble seat this side of 1939. Absolutely a blast to tootle around like a glitch in the matrix. Sure, there are some other great wagons out there, but for sheer weird fun, the Wagonaire stands alone.