cat-killing curiosity...

[Noxnabaker]

I've always wondered what the symbols in this emblem stands for:



Any one who knows?
Please tell...

[StudeRich]

Well since they are clearly Champion (Crowns) and Thunderbirds your guess is as good as mine!

Maybe an early attempt at a Commander or Hawk Symbol?

[ddub]

At one point Studebaker considered Thunderbird as a model name. Maybe stems from that time.

[Commander Eddie]

Judging by the humble origins of the Studebaker family I would guess it is not a family crest or coat of arms. This is a very interesting question you pose.

[Alan]

Nox, Your answer lies in Turning Wheels, July 2006, page 26. The Thunderbird name was registered with the Automobile Manufacturers Association to Studebaker from 47 to 54. Stude sold the rights to the name to Ford. Stude. was being pushed by Mack Hellings to make a sports car, but died in a plane crash out in the Mojave Desert in 1950. After that Stude's desires to build a sports car wavered. I will put up a pic. of the one built, but it looks like it will take me a little while to find it again.

[Noxnabaker]

Okidoki Alan, thanx!

[thunderations]

Looks amazingly like a Cobra........which was based on a Bristol, I believe. Any connection between Studebaker and Bristol?

Nox, Your answer lies in Turning Wheels, July 2006, page 26. The Thunderbird name was registered with the Automobile Manufacturers Association to Studebaker from 47 to 54. Stude sold the rights to the name to Ford. Stude. was being pushed by Mack Hellings to make a sports car, but died in a plane crash out in the Mojave Desert in 1950. After that Stude's desires to build a sports car wavered. I will put up a pic. of the one built, but it looks like it will take me a little while to find it again.

[PackardV8]

Looks amazingly like a Cobra........which was based on a Bristol, I believe. Any connection between Studebaker and Bristol?

You're confusing AC, which was the basis for the AC Cobra, with Bristol, which was a smaller car and aircraft company which supplied a derivative of the BMW 2-liter 6-cylinder engine to AC and other small car companies. So, yes, there was an AC Bristol, but it was AC which became the Cobra.

jack vines
Obsolete Engineering Division
of Mager Engine

[Alan]

The AC Bristol was a 6 cylinder and the AC Ace was a 4. The Ace is the one that became the Cobra. Same design but different wheel bases and outside sizes. The Victress S1 was basically an AC Bristol in the front and Jag. XK 120 in the rear. Made in fiberglass.

[firestoper 25]

Stude T-Bird

Nox, Your answer lies in Turning Wheels, July 2006, page 26. The Thunderbird name was registered with the Automobile Manufacturers Association to Studebaker from 47 to 54. Stude sold the rights to the name to Ford. Stude. was being pushed by Mack Hellings to make a sports car, but died in a plane crash out in the Mojave Desert in 1950. After that Stude's desires to build a sports car wavered. I will put up a pic. of the one built, but it looks like it will take me a little while to find it again.

Oh boy, do I see a FUN summer car show info battle coming on. When I am told my 63 Avanti came with a Ford 289.....then I kick over the Thunderbird was really a farmed out Studebaker, somebody better call the fire department for the upcoming turf war! This going to be fun, my first target is going to be my fire dept. buddy with the beautiful 70 yellow 428 4 speed CJ Mustang. Thanks for the amo, Sherm / Green Bay

[whitehawk759]

That is one fine looking Studebaker, I certainly would have bought one!

[Hallabutt]

It looks to me like a Jaguar XK 120. How quickly so many have forgotten one of the most important trend setting cars of the post war period.

Interesting about the Thunderbird name. As Mary indicated maybe there was something unknown drawing us Studebaker fans into TBird ownership.

[Pat Dilling]

Maybe that is why people keep calling my 53 coupe a Thunderbird!? :-o

[studegary]

Nox, Your answer lies in Turning Wheels, July 2006, page 26. The Thunderbird name was registered with the Automobile Manufacturers Association to Studebaker from 47 to 54. Stude sold the rights to the name to Ford. Stude. was being pushed by Mack Hellings to make a sports car, but died in a plane crash out in the Mojave Desert in 1950. After that Stude's desires to build a sports car wavered. I will put up a pic. of the one built, but it looks like it will take me a little while to find it again.

The car looks to me like a Kellison or Woodhill Wildfire body. Perhaps it is a kit car on a Studebaker chassis.

[bezhawk]

I believe it says Victress, right on the side.