This may call for speculation. In the years 57 and 58 What was Studebaker more interested in selling, the Hawk line, or Sedan and j body hardtops(58)? What are the actual production numbers for both 57 and 58 cars in regard to models? It sure does seem like a lot more Hawks survive than the "regular" cars.
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No speculation required I feel. Due to the corporation's precarious financial situation, being run by Curtiss-Wright on an $80,000 a month management contract, and the fact that the aforementioned C-W had closed (Killed) Packard in 1956, they were happy to sell anything anyone wanted, and likely you could get what you wanted if you asked, they would do what they had to to get a sale.
John Clements
Avantilover, your South Australian Studebaker lover!!!
Secretary Studebaker Car Club of SA (as of 3/19/08)
Lockleys South AustraliaJohn Clements
Christchurch, New Zealand -
At that point Roy Hurley was steering the ship, and didn't seem very interested in improving- or funding the line or developing any long-term plan; just more interested in seeing what he could take from the Corporation.
Robert (Bob) Andrews Owner- Studebakeracres- on the IoMT (Island of Misfit Toys!)
Parish, central NY 13131
"Some people live for the rules, I live for exceptions"- 311
"With your Lark you're on your own, free as a bird, alive as a Lark. You've suddenly discovered that happiness is a thing called Larking!"
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BUT ...Hurley deserves full credit for bringing the Packard Hawk to market!
)]
<h4>The older I get ...the better I was! </h4>Comment
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One has to remember a high volume automaker depends on its 'bread-and-butter' sedans for survival, and Studebaker would have wanted to sell MORE of those than anything else. The reason there are more Hawks around today is due to their desirabilty. Sedans didn't get appreciated for years while all the 'good' ones got driven into the ground, hence, few survivors. The Hawks were usually bought by an enthusiast, (as opposed to a travelling salesman buying one) and would have got better care of right from day one.quote:Originally posted by 5859
This may call for speculation. In the years 57 and 58 What was Studebaker more interested in selling, the Hawk line, or Sedan and j body hardtops(58)? What are the actual production numbers for both 57 and 58 cars in regard to models? It sure does seem like a lot more Hawks survive than the "regular" cars.
Craig
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One important fact, many Studebakers were built on demand so as it was said they'd build whatever you wanted within reason. Yes, they did have an inventory and yes the Hawks were popular and yes they did build sedans but not what they should have. So if you wanted a cat a dealer could get you almost anything you wanted.
See you in the future as I write about our pastsigpicSee you in the future as I write about our pastComment
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And, as many have noted elsewhere, the '58s were not the most beautifully designed cars in the world (although I still have a jones for the J models!). One of the worst production years ever.
[img=left]http://members.cox.net/clarknovak/lark.gif[/img=left]
Clark in San Diego
'63 F2/Lark Standard
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I think one of the things you need to keep in mind when talking about 1958's is that it was an Industry Failure!
Times were very tough then, and people were not buying many cars, after a good year for the industry in '57, only fair for Studebaker Packard however. [V]
And it certainly did not help that GM and somewhat Ford, went "Chrome Crazy" and threw the good styling book out the window!
Those were some of ugliest cars EVER! When you park a '58 Buick, Pontiac or Olds next to a Stude. President, the Studes. look MIGHTY GOOD! [:0]
In my opinion the only '58 that looked reasonably good was the new Chevy. Impala and the mid level trim Bel Air! [:0]
So all these happenings and the General's dumb idea to make the '59's almost as ugly, but even BIGGER tanks than the '58, is what led a large amount of their more sensibly minded customers to defect over to the Studebaker Showroom to see & buy the new "bigger on the inside, smaller on the outside" Lark, the only car except the Nash Rambler Classic, that was the "right" size! [^]
StudeRich
Studebakers Northwest
Ferndale, WAStudeRich
Second Generation Stude Driver,
Proud '54 Starliner Owner
SDC Member Since 1967Comment
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Hi, Rich,
quote:
large amount of their more sensibly minded customers to defect over to the Studebaker Showroom
It's all relative, there must have been a severe shortage of "sensibly minded customers" even if Studebaker got them all:
1959 Studebaker production 126,156
1959 GM production 2,200,00
thnx, jack vines
PackardV8PackardV8Comment
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You're right Jack, I think all 2,200,000 of em were "ahead of their time" Me too generation'ers !
StudeRichquote:Originally posted by PackardV8
It's all relative, there must have been a severe shortage of "sensibly minded customers" even if Studebaker got them all:
1959 Studebaker production 126,156
1959 GM production 2,200,00thnx, jack vines
Studebakers Northwest
Ferndale, WAStudeRich
Second Generation Stude Driver,
Proud '54 Starliner Owner
SDC Member Since 1967Comment
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"What were they trying to sell?" ANYTHING 'cept the fixtures in the plant! CARS primarily - trucks too - anything that would beat back the RED ink.[V]
Miscreant Studebaker nut in California's central valley.
1957 Transtar 1/2ton
1960 Larkvertible V8
1958 Provincial wagon
1953 Commander coupe
1957 President two door
No deceptive flags to prove I'm patriotic - no biblical BS to impress - just ME and Studebakers - as it should be.Comment
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The Scotsman model are great evidence of a desparate S-P trying to find every nitch not covered by another maker and that they could "afford" (they couldn't afford anything - it's ammazing they did the things they did) to do act on. Did any other North American producer have a car with "cardboard" door panels (OK, dooors on a King Midget were optional!)?
Roger "153624" Hill
55 Champion
47 M-5
Izzer Buggy
Junior WagonRoger Hill
60 Lark Vlll, hardtop, black/red, Power Kit, 3 spd. - "Juliette"
61 Champ Deluxe, 6, black/red, o/d, long box. - "Jeri"
Junior Wagon - "Junior"
"In the end, dear undertaker,
Ride me in a Studebaker"Comment
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The Packard Hawk was - according to the Kimes edited history - originally a one-off special for Roy Hurley that was put into production.
John Clements
Avantilover, your South Australian Studebaker lover!!!
Secretary Studebaker Car Club of SA (as of 3/19/08)
Lockleys South AustraliaJohn Clements
Christchurch, New ZealandComment
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The Scotsman strategy is quite simple, actually. Even before the woeful year for the whole industry that '58 was, Studebaker was grappling to sell ANYthing they could. The Scotsman was an attempt ( a fairly successful one at that) to produce THE cheapest full-size offering on the market.[}
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Miscreant Studebaker nut in California's central valley.
1957 Transtar 1/2ton
1960 Larkvertible V8
1958 Provincial wagon
1953 Commander coupe
1957 President two door
No deceptive flags to prove I'm patriotic - no biblical BS to impress - just ME and Studebakers - as it should be.Comment
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Hi
Answer: as many cars as they could in hopes of breaking even, maybe making a profit for a change!!!!!
Although the Presidents and Packards were higher unit profit models, the Scotmans created the highest percentage of the sales. Without those Scotsman generating some cash flow they might not even have gotten to bring the Lark to market.
It was a terrible time to be in the carmaking business......not unlike now!
SteveComment
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