58's as drivers

[JDP]

I've always known how nice the big sedans drove and assumed the 58 Starlight would be the same, and it sure is. No power steering, but with the low mileage steering box, it does not need it. I drove it around 20 miles today to shake out any issues and had a slight dash rattle. I tightened up the radio, now nothing makes a peep on bumps. After adjusting the valves I have to look at the idiot lights to make sure the engine didn't stall at a traffic light. The damn car just floats downn the road, by far the best riding driving Studebaker I've ever owned out of a few 100. I never had one with no play in the steering, not a hint of a oil leak or a rattle, I'm having fun.

JDP/Maryland


63 GT R2
63 Avanti R1
63 Daytona convert
63 Lark 2 door
62 Lark 2 door
60 Lark HT-60Hawk
59 3E truck
58 Starlight
52 & 53 Starliner
51 Commander

[mbstude]

Wow JP. I think when (or if? ) you eBay that car, it's gonna go higher than any 58 Commander ever has...

[mbstude]

Wow JP. I think when (or if? ) you eBay that car, it's gonna go higher than any 58 Commander ever has...

[lstude]

It is not fair for anyone to have this much fun!

Leonard Shepherd

http://leonardshepherd.com/

[lstude]

It is not fair for anyone to have this much fun!

Leonard Shepherd

http://leonardshepherd.com/

[JDP]

It would have to set a record on ebay the way I'm throwing money at the thing, it just talks to me. Wish I had the garage space to keep it, but it's too nice to share a "working garage". I'm afraid I'll mess something up working on something else.

JDP/Maryland


63 GT R2
63 Avanti R1
63 Daytona convert
63 Lark 2 door
62 Lark 2 door
60 Lark HT-60Hawk
59 3E truck
58 Starlight
52 & 53 Starliner
51 Commander

[JDP]

It would have to set a record on ebay the way I'm throwing money at the thing, it just talks to me. Wish I had the garage space to keep it, but it's too nice to share a "working garage". I'm afraid I'll mess something up working on something else.

JDP/Maryland


63 GT R2
63 Avanti R1
63 Daytona convert
63 Lark 2 door
62 Lark 2 door
60 Lark HT-60Hawk
59 3E truck
58 Starlight
52 & 53 Starliner
51 Commander

[Roscomacaw]

Ahhh, JDP, let me "store" it for you! I'll MAKE room!

Boy, reading your original post.... I can't help it..... the phrase "FLASHY CARS" mysteriously kept wanting to butt into my thoughts![}]

Miscreant adrift in
the BerStuda Triangle


1957 Transtar 1/2ton
1960 Larkvertible V8
1958 Provincial wagon
1953 Commander coupe

[Roscomacaw]

Ahhh, JDP, let me "store" it for you! I'll MAKE room!

Boy, reading your original post.... I can't help it..... the phrase "FLASHY CARS" mysteriously kept wanting to butt into my thoughts![}]

Miscreant adrift in
the BerStuda Triangle


1957 Transtar 1/2ton
1960 Larkvertible V8
1958 Provincial wagon
1953 Commander coupe

[58HT]

When I got my '58 Starlight it wobbled down the road, pitching and gupping, rattling and shimmying as the scariest ride I had had in a long while. After a new tranny, shocks, springs all around(heavy duty up front), suspension bushings, wheels and tires and a new rear end, it too rides down the road and handles like a dream. The combo of PS and radials helps as does the aftermarket rear sway bar kit. One thing that makes these cars steer nicely is the switch in '58 up front away from the bushed center pin...seems to just feel tighter.

[58HT]

When I got my '58 Starlight it wobbled down the road, pitching and gupping, rattling and shimmying as the scariest ride I had had in a long while. After a new tranny, shocks, springs all around(heavy duty up front), suspension bushings, wheels and tires and a new rear end, it too rides down the road and handles like a dream. The combo of PS and radials helps as does the aftermarket rear sway bar kit. One thing that makes these cars steer nicely is the switch in '58 up front away from the bushed center pin...seems to just feel tighter.

[StudeDave57]

Before 'Baby' started leaking soo much I would drive her weeks at a time-
'Sweet Pea' needed/deserved the break once in awhile~ I LOVE driving that '57, and I miss it bad!!! Just going from the '57 to the '65 was a trip for me, I can't imagine if I had anything newer to drive. Not that I'd want anything newer, mind you. [:0]
I can hardly wait to be able to drive the Packard on a regular basis...

StudeDave [8D]
V/P San Diego County SDC
San Diego, Ca

'54 Commander 4dr 'Ruby'
'57 Parkview (it's a 2dr wagon...) 'Betsy'
'57 Commander 2dr 'Baby'
'57 Champion 2dr 'Jewel'
'58 Packard sedan 'Cleo'
'65 Cruiser 'Sweet Pea'

[StudeDave57]

Before 'Baby' started leaking soo much I would drive her weeks at a time-
'Sweet Pea' needed/deserved the break once in awhile~ I LOVE driving that '57, and I miss it bad!!! Just going from the '57 to the '65 was a trip for me, I can't imagine if I had anything newer to drive. Not that I'd want anything newer, mind you. [:0]
I can hardly wait to be able to drive the Packard on a regular basis...

StudeDave [8D]
V/P San Diego County SDC
San Diego, Ca

'54 Commander 4dr 'Ruby'
'57 Parkview (it's a 2dr wagon...) 'Betsy'
'57 Commander 2dr 'Baby'
'57 Champion 2dr 'Jewel'
'58 Packard sedan 'Cleo'
'65 Cruiser 'Sweet Pea'

[JDP]

I think the 58 is about as "Flashy" as you can get short of adding neon lights to a Packard Hawk. Pretty, no, flashy, you bet.

JDP/Maryland


63 GT R2
63 Avanti R1
63 Daytona convert
63 Lark 2 door
62 Lark 2 door
60 Lark HT-60Hawk
59 3E truck
58 Starlight
52 & 53 Starliner
51 Commander

[JDP]

I think the 58 is about as "Flashy" as you can get short of adding neon lights to a Packard Hawk. Pretty, no, flashy, you bet.

JDP/Maryland


63 GT R2
63 Avanti R1
63 Daytona convert
63 Lark 2 door
62 Lark 2 door
60 Lark HT-60Hawk
59 3E truck
58 Starlight
52 & 53 Starliner
51 Commander