Times change and I’m constantly reminded by many that I have to change with them. I get it and don’t resist the concept but sometimes it’s a tough row to hoe. There are other times, though, when the choice is easy such as not using certain names that have outlived their usefulness, descriptive character, or whatever. Take “dictator” for example, we all know what one is, it is a telling and legitimate noun, but a model name for a car, such as this 1928 Studebaker? Naw, probably best to move on from that one. But, I’m not suggesting that we rename it or come up with a euphemism for it, it is what it is, so let’s see if we can figure out what’s so despotic about this old sedan. It’s located in Nashville, Tennessee and is available, here on craigslist for $1. (I imagine that this is one of those “negotiable” arrangements). Thanks are due to Anthony M for surfacing this lead!
Studebaker offered three models in ’28, the President (check!), the Commander (check!), and the Dictator (ouch!). The Dictator’s body styles were many, including coupes, sedans, tourers, and roadsters. Our subject car is either a Royal Sedan or a Standard Sedan, which one is not disclosed. Total Dictator production was about 48K units but a more specific body style breakdown is not available.
The listing for this head-of-state wanna-be is pretty detailed. It is still wearing its original finish and in possession of many born-with parts. Rust is claimed to be minimal, affecting the door bottoms and mostly surface in nature. One exception to the original score is the roof covering, the seller believes that it is a replacement.
Last running in 2019 and used in a parade, the seller has not tried to start the 70 HP, 242 CI, in-line six-cylinder engine but states, “Original motor/drivetrain, motor was rebuilt a few years ago & had hardened valve seats installed so it can run on pump gas, oil filter was replaced with a modern spin-on style, not original carburetor but correct for model year… I have not started the car but have no reason to think it wouldn’t run & drive“. As expected, a three-speed manual transmission handles gear changes.
Also claimed as original is the interior. It’s worn and old, close to a century as the seller reminds us, though the genuine wood trim is said to be in good nick. There are some missing door handles, and the odometer doesn’t work but the gauge lights still illuminate. The original ignition switch had to be bypassed with an alternate one but the key is in the seller’s possession. The biggest negative mentioned, and it’s really not a negative, is the scent of mothballs resulting from the use of said product to keep the mice away- good idea actually as we all know what mice can do to upholstery, and sometimes, wiring.
A neat find no doubt, I’m not certain what the market for an old sedan like this is, however – it will probably take a special buyer. And, if you think the “Dictator” moniker is holding it back, you can always substitute a new name like Despot, Strong Man, Tyrant, Absolutist, or Authoritarian, right?
That model name must have performed wonderfully going into the 1930s…
https://nihilistnotes.blogspot.com/search?q=Dictator
It does seem strange a century-odd on, but when Studebaker released the Dictator in 1926, the word wasn’t “loaded” as it would become in the public imagination during the 1930s. Mussolini’s reputation actually improved during the early 1930s at a time when the economies of the democracies were depicted as faring worse than his dictatorship.
I know, we cringe at the word “Dictator”, but as mentioned, a Dictator was actually someone of great esteem, not the corrupt madmen they became. Not mentioned, but I believe, in 1928, Studebaker was one of the few that offered a 6, when most had a 4 cylinder, Studebaker passed them all,,eventually. I read, in 1928, the 1st straight 8 was made by Studebaker. It, at the time, was a high class automobile, and not the lowly #5 it had become later. Will garner about as much interest today as donuts at a weight watchers meeting.
When the name was chosen they said it would dictate what cars of the future would be.
That’s really nice; the difficult bit’s going to be keeping the interior intact if it’s used.
I also like the idea of the modern filter, but I would re-route the pipe so that it doesn’t go through the middle of the fanbelt…
I always love the “wonky-cartoon” layout of some early engines. An accessory drive off the cam gears/chain which, in this case, runs the fan belt and the mid-block water pump and ending in the distributor drive. Wow..Nope, it’s nothing I’d have thought of! It was the roaring twenties! Keep your cufflinks away from the spinning shafts!
I love these old cars, the styling has a classy look. I truly hope someone who loves cars buys this one and takes their time getting it back to its original glory. This is a classic !!
Held together by vice grips…
OMG……I was wondering about how they tensioned the fan belt and wondering about the two flex couplings on the driveshaft. Yeah..bad enough you have to reset the timing if you have to change a belt but LOOK CLOSELY. There is a sliding adjustment on the front pulley. Two bolts (stud/nut?) in slots and then, at 90 degrees, a tension bolt to pull the whole assembly outwards.
THAT’S the reason for the flex couplers. The front of the shaft is not going to be running true as the front can move with the adjustment. And I’m not sure that’s not friction nuts on both sides of the water pump drive…OR maybe I have it backwards and the distributor is DRIVING that shaft and…. Excuse me as I sit over here in the corner, blinking and twitching……
You missed the best despotic car name of all: The Autocrat!
This car is NOT located in Nashville, Tn…it has been on Craigslist Detroit, Mi for a month and is said to be south of Cleveland, Ohio..due diligence people..
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.Here is my “28 Willys Knight- sleeveless engine car I sold last year…they are out there..good luck..
Why would it be on Nashville’s craigslist?
JO
Can’t be in 2 places at once…buyer beware//////////////
My 1st car was a 1930 Studebaker Dictator 6 that I purchased from the original owner. The car had a little over 23,000 miles on it when I got it in 1958. The multi-page original bill of sale looked like a combination property deed and mortgage. The car had always been garaged and the overall condition was close to mint. Despite the age, the interior mohair upholstery was in great shape and all instruments worked but, the car lacked a heater. The rear quarter windows and back window had pull down shades. While the 6 cyl. engine was quiet, the 3 speed crash box had the typical gear whine of the era. I quickly learned to double clutch to avoid gear clash on the 1st to 2nd shift. The wheels were the wood spoke artillery type fitted with split rims (my mom showed me how to change a tire on a split rim; she said it was just the same as her ’29 Chev, 30 years earlier). Not a bad buy for $100.00 back in 1958.
I sold it to a collector for a nice profit. I understand that it passed through two additional collectors before I lost track of it on the east cost a couple of decades later.
FWIW, the 1930 Dictator 6 set several speed records when introduced. For the benefit of the woefully uninformed, Studebaker 8 cylinder specials were serious contenders in the Indianapolis 500, fielding entries in 1930, 1931, 1932 and 1933. A couple of private owned specials were campaigned at Indy into the late 1930’s.
Priced at $25k….need some wiggle room and lots of elbow grease at that price
Interesting history of Studebaker. Goes back to the 1730’s. When they were on business, was the oldest continuous nameplate in the automobile manufacturing biz. 1852-1966. https://carriagemuseum.org/articles/studebaker-bros-carriages-and-wagons/
Sure they wouldn’t use Dictator today , but the world was a lot larger 100 years ago, and many didnt care what happened in other countries, as long as it didnt affect the U.S. , so the name dictator didnt mean much. . I’m sure Studebakers naming their el cheapo model “Scotsman ” would irk many a Scot ; I’m sure my Scottish mother was none too happy about it. The Dodge La Femme would go over like a fart in church today too. On the other hand ,the Dodge Demon was renamed Dart Sport in 1973 , the rumor was that it wasn’t a big seller in the bible belt because of the devil moniker- but today, the Hellcat Demon is an ok thing to name a car !