Vehicle manufacturers during the 1960s and 1970s made some genuine attempts to attract potential buyers to their station wagon offerings. Nowhere is this more graphically demonstrated than with wagons like this 1964 Studebaker Daytona Wagonaire. It not only features a V8 under the hood, but the sliding roof was designed to offer a level of versatility not found in offerings from their opposition. This Wagonaire is a clean and tidy survivor with only some very minor rust issues to address. It is ready for a new owner to drive and enjoy immediately. The Studebaker is located in North Washington, Pennsylvania, and is listed for sale here on eBay. The bidding on this classic has been quite healthy and has pushed along to $9,764. However, the reserve hasn’t been met.
Unfortunately, this is as close as we get to a clear picture of the Wagonaire’s most distinctive and defining feature. The sliding rear roof brought additional versatility to the vehicle, as it allowed owners to carry taller loads than would fit in most average wagons. It was sort of like having the versatility of a small pickup in concert with a family wagon. The sliding roof was prone to a few issues. Early examples did leak, but Studebaker did their best to address this problem. Rust could also develop if the drainage tubes were not kept clean. This Wagonaire has suffered none of these issues, and the few minor rust spots that it does have aren’t associated with the sliding roof. There are some spots in the bottom of the tailgate. There is also some on the bottom of the driver’s door and lower front fender on the same side. All of these look like they could be addressed with simple patches, and I don’t think that there will be any significant metalwork required. The owner states that the frame is solid, and there is no other visible rust. The Ermine White paint has a healthy shine to it, while the same is true of the chrome and trim. The Studebaker features a chrome roof rack, and this also appears to be in good condition. There are no signs of any problems with the glass, with the tailgate glass being power operated.
Powering the Wagonaire is a 289ci V8, producing a healthy 225hp. This V8 is backed by a 3-speed manual transmission with overdrive, while the vehicle also comes equipped with power steering and power brakes. Studebaker did offer some performance upgrades for the Wagonaire, but these didn’t sell in huge numbers. For those in search of some serious performance, a supercharged “R2” version of the 289 was available, pumping out 300hp. However, across the entire Daytona range in 1964, only 48 people decided that they required that sort of performance. Unfortunately, the owner doesn’t provide us with any insight into how well the Wagonaire runs and drives. I guess that if we take appearance as some form of indication, then the news should potentially be quite promising.
The Studebaker’s interior generally presents very nicely, with no signs of any upholstery problems. The seats are free from rips or stretching, while the door trims look close to perfect. There are no apparent issues with the dash, with the owner only noting some fading with the carpet. It isn’t clear how bad this fading is, so it could potentially be addressed with dye. If it is beyond that, then the next owner might need to hand over the $245 required for a new carpet set. The two-tone wheel is another matter altogether. It has deteriorated quite noticeably and will require restoration or replacement if it is not to detract from the rest of the interior’s presentation. I would probably make inquiries about restoration first because replacement wheels sell for around $650. Ouch! As well as a rear power window and the sliding roof, this Studebaker brings added versatility to the table in the form of 3rd-row seating. The upholstery on that seat is just as nice as the rest, and the tailgate-mounted step will help make access that bit easier.
In 1964, Studebaker produced approximately 1,543 examples of the Daytona Wagonaire equipped with the 289ci V8 engine. These sold for around $2,835, depending on what boxes a buyer ticked on the options list. That made these a rare wagon when they were new, and natural attrition and rust has claimed a large number in the intervening years. This appears to be an extremely nice example, and it doesn’t look like it will require a lot of work to make it shine like a new penny. I would expect the reserve to be set at around the $15,000 mark, although it could potentially be even higher. If it turns out to be below that level, then it could represent an interesting classic for someone to park in their driveway.
Leave a Reply to Bill McCoskey Cancel reply