Studebaker

350 V8 Power! 1963 Studebaker Gran Turismo

The Gran Turismo Hawk, aka GT Hawk, was the last iteration of the Studebaker Hawk series that began in the mid-1950s. It was the most elegant of the Hawks, with a front grille similar to the Mercedes and a… more»

Art Deco Project: 1937 Studebaker Coupe Express J5

After Studebaker built the unfortunately named Dictator, Raymond Loewy grafted its front sheet metal, frame, and running gear onto a useful bed, creating a new type of vehicle. Studebaker called this the “coupe express” – a sort of “car… more»

Bullet Nose: 1951 Studebaker Commander Land Cruiser

Studebaker launched the Land Cruiser sedan at the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair, a fitting venue for a standout “streamliner” design. We forget the contribution of these long-defunct carmakers toward the advancement of the automobile, but Studebaker’s contribution resounded once… more»

Container Find! 1964 Studebaker Commander

In its final years, Studebaker was in financial peril from one year to the next, although the 1959 compact Lark brought some short-term hope. But, just before Christmas of 1963, Studebaker stopped producing cars in the U.S., shifting production… more»

Recently Restored: 1963 Studebaker Avanti R1

The Avanti was a bold experiment that deserved a lot better than to be built by a rapidly imploding Studebaker. It brought together distinctive styling, a lightweight fiberglass body, and a V8 offering excellent performance. It should have been… more»

289-Powered Compact Cruiser: 1964 Studebaker Daytona

There seem to be numerous automakers who had success stories followed by a downfall, but probably not too many with roots dating all the way back to the mid-nineteenth century, as that’s when Studebaker was founded primarily to build… more»

Cyclops Eye Speedometer! 1956 Studebaker Commander

Studebaker would use the Commander nameplate on and off between 1927 and 1964. In the 1950s, it was typically the mid-range model between the entry-level Champion and the decked-out President. This 1956 edition looks to be in outstanding condition… more»

South Bend’s Last Days: 1964 Studebaker Daytona

The 1964 model year was a turning point for Studebaker Corp. After trying everything they could to stay competitive, sales continued to fall and Studebaker was forced to close its South Bend, Indiana manufacturing plant. That shifted all remaining… more»

Cali Cruiser: 1960 Studebaker Lark VI Wagon

By 1960, problems at Studebaker were legion. Ford had increased production dramatically in 1953, and price cuts followed industry-wide. Studebaker had the highest labor costs in the industry. As prices fell, its profits disappeared, and its balance sheet deteriorated…. more»

Award Winner: 1963 Studebaker Lark Cruiser

Studebaker struggled in the 1950s and 1960s to stay afloat and the introduction of the Lark compact in 1959 would help stave off the grim reaper. But as other (and bigger) manufacturers got into that space, Lark sales would… more»

Rare 4-Speed Equipped 1962 Studebaker GT Hawk!

Here’s one you don’t see often, a Studebaker GT Hawk! While Studebaker built a number of Hawks, between the various models, the final run of cars wasn’t produced in large numbers. The GT Hawk debuted in 1962, with just… more»

Ran In 2019: 1953 Studebaker 2R6 Half-Ton

Ranking among the coolest of the 1950s pickups and Studebaker’s second “real” light-duty pickup after their M-series, this 1953 Studebaker 2R6 is a rare model. The 2R series was important for Studebaker and this truck is worthy of a… more»

Nicest One Left? 1964 Studebaker Daytona

Most of Studebaker’s production in 1964 was conducted in Hamilton, Ontario. That’s because the company shuttered its South Bend, Indiana plant due to rising costs and shrinking product demand. The Daytona convertible was one of the rarest cars built… more»

Pair of 1956 Studebaker Commander Projects

Between 1927 and 1964, Studebaker would deploy the Commander nameplate more times than not. When the President model was resurrected in 1955, the Commander became the mid-range offering while the Champion continued in the entry-level position. The seller has… more»

Custom Paint: 1963 Studebaker Gran Turismo Hawk

Vehicle manufacturers walk a fine line when devising the color palettes for their various models. They must ensure the paint shades are relatively inoffensive, but they often leave something available for those seeking a more “flamboyant” look. Studebaker was… more»

What Could Have Been: 1963 Studebaker Avanti

Studebaker was one of the most storied automobile brands of the 20th Century, but as an independent manufacturer, they found it difficult to compete. And especially after the ill-fated merger with Packard in the mid-1950s. One of the highlights… more»