Article: The Volcano and the Studebaker- Where's the Missing Link?

[Bob Andrews]

Interesting angle. Be sure to read the comments at the bottom, including from designer Howard Payne:

http://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/2011/11/30/the-volcano-and-the-studebaker-wheres-the-missing-link/?refer=news

[new2drive]

Great article! A quick read too.

[BobPalma]

As with so many articles like that, the comments section is about as interesting as the article itself.

'Good find and a good read. Thanx. BP

[dnevin]

Nice find Bob. I'm afraid that the vast majority of people who read this article won't go to the comments section and a poorly researched article will end up with another rumor similar in vein to the "Ford made the 289 V-8" we all hear will be the result (Studebaker stole the design for the 53 from Ford) instead of the reality of the 53 Studebaker being influential in automotive design.

In defense of the author, I could understand the excitement (and actually appreciate that he recognized the c-pillar design) if someone had handed me a photo and attributed it to 1949. If it were a source trusted to the author I could see running with it with all sort of excitement. What a find it could have been.

[studegary]

I am glad to see the dating on the photo moved up from 1949 to 1955. It would be good if Hemmings made the correction in the basic article. Being Hemmings, that likely won't happen.

By "Ed Herman", they probably mean Edward E. Herrmann. Mr. Herrmann worked for IH, Lycoming, Studebaker, Loewy and then Studebaker again. Herrmann worked with Tucker Madawick at Studebaker. Mr. Madawick did work for Ford, but left in 1946. Mr. Madawick was involved in the design of the Tucker and moved to Loewy in 1947. They (Ed & Tucker) both first worked together (met) while working on the 1953 Studebaker project. Madawick left in 1959 to join RCA. Mr. Herrmann is known (by me) as the designer of the S-P-nik, now known as the Astral (owned by the SNM, displayed at the Peterson).

[8E45E]

I am glad to see the dating on the photo moved up from 1949 to 1955. It would be good if Hemmings made the correction in the basic article. Being Hemmings, that likely won't happen.

Mr. Herrmann is known (by me) as the designer of the S-P-nik, now known as the Astral (owned by the SNM, displayed at the Peterson).

Those concept designs admittedy did look a little too modern for 1949. Ford didn't even come out with a 2 door hardtop body style until 1951.

I posted a few photos of the Astral here: http://forum.studebakerdriversclub.c...ghlight=astral

Craig