Question for 58 owners

[5859]

Ok, I am wondering if it is just me or not. Every 58 Commander, President or champion that I have come across has had trouble with the doors closing correctly. On sedans it is just the front doors, the back usually close beautifully. They either seem to bind and need adjustment between the fender and the front door edge, or they don't click shut with a firm sounding clunk, but rather seem like they did not shut at all, even if they did catch. Is it just the cars that I am running across that have worn strikers and such or were they always this way from the factory? The striker plates and door catches don't look worn on the cars I am talking about.

[Orestudeguy]

Hi Jim,

Many years ago I had a "58 Commander two door hardtop.
I don't recall any problems with the doors having problems closing or latching.

George
Grants Pass, Oregon
65 Commander 2door
64 Wagonaire's (1 parts car, 1 Canadian fixed roof disc brake car, the other sliding roof South Bend car.)
63 Champ
63 GT Hawk
51 Champion Starlight Coupe

[Orestudeguy]

Hi Jim,

Many years ago I had a "58 Commander two door hardtop.
I don't recall any problems with the doors having problems closing or latching.

George
Grants Pass, Oregon
65 Commander 2door
64 Wagonaire's (1 parts car, 1 Canadian fixed roof disc brake car, the other sliding roof South Bend car.)
63 Champ
63 GT Hawk
51 Champion Starlight Coupe

[StudeRich]

Jim, do your '58's have rusty floors around the front door post? If they are rotted out there or had front end collisions those are very common reasons for that condition.

In the late 1950's and early 60's even into the 1970's, many people were still driving these cars daily and when they got in a fender bender, the Insurance Co.'s barely could justify a repair on a Studebaker because of the value, so if it DID get repaired and not totaled you can just imagine the quality of that job!

It is much cheaper to hang a used fender and call it good, than it is to pull the frame first and then do it right.

Also there could be excessive wear on the door latch rotary catch or the striker is improperly installed without a slight tilt upward to tighten (lift) the door as it closes. Use Lock-Ease lube on them too.

Those same doors and latches are common to 1956 to 1962 4dr. sedans and none of them will ever close like a 1952, the '47-'52 body is much more solid than 1953 & on. It is my opinion that those old 4 screw strikers were way better than '56 & on!

StudeRich
Studebakers Northwest
Ferndale, WA

[StudeRich]

Jim, do your '58's have rusty floors around the front door post? If they are rotted out there or had front end collisions those are very common reasons for that condition.

In the late 1950's and early 60's even into the 1970's, many people were still driving these cars daily and when they got in a fender bender, the Insurance Co.'s barely could justify a repair on a Studebaker because of the value, so if it DID get repaired and not totaled you can just imagine the quality of that job!

It is much cheaper to hang a used fender and call it good, than it is to pull the frame first and then do it right.

Also there could be excessive wear on the door latch rotary catch or the striker is improperly installed without a slight tilt upward to tighten (lift) the door as it closes. Use Lock-Ease lube on them too.

Those same doors and latches are common to 1956 to 1962 4dr. sedans and none of them will ever close like a 1952, the '47-'52 body is much more solid than 1953 & on. It is my opinion that those old 4 screw strikers were way better than '56 & on!

StudeRich
Studebakers Northwest
Ferndale, WA

[Retired]

Brings to mind, my Father had trouble with the drivers door on a brand new '58 President HT. Dealership tried but never did correct the problem one hundred percent.

[Retired]

Brings to mind, my Father had trouble with the drivers door on a brand new '58 President HT. Dealership tried but never did correct the problem one hundred percent.

[Roscomacaw]

I've owned several 58 sedans and wagons thru the years - never a problem with the fit of the doors.[^]

Miscreant adrift in
the BerStuda Triangle


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

[Roscomacaw]

I've owned several 58 sedans and wagons thru the years - never a problem with the fit of the doors.[^]

Miscreant adrift in
the BerStuda Triangle


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