Happy Birthday Dear Daytona Wagonaire, Happy Birthday to You

[53k]

50 years ago yesterday I got off the bus in front of the Hamilton Studebaker plant, went in, got a tour then drove off in our new Daytona Wagonaire. The date of final assembly was 4/28/64 so I guess this may be a belated birthday.
I made it as far as Windsor, Ontario where I had to spend the night waiting for Customs to open in the morning. After finally clearing Customs I started off westbound through Detroit where I got my new car "greeting". A big clod of dirt rolled off the back of a low boy truck in front of me, bounced and got me in the windshield- * right in the middle of the windshield. It never got any worse and it's still there.

[StudeRich]

Way cool Paul, that is real History there!
That was one well LOADED Wagonaire most everything I would want except a 289 Engine and the Reclining Seats that Canada could not provide if I remember correctly.

[53k]

Way cool Paul, that is real History there!
That was one well LOADED Wagonaire most everything I would want except a 289 Engine and the Reclining Seats that Canada could not provide if I remember correctly.

I had originally ordered it from South Bend with a 289 and reclining bucket seats (along with all tint glass, air conditioning, right headrest and Hill Holder), but they cancelled that order and Studebaker tried to get me to take a car from South Bend inventory that was remarkably close to what I ordered with two exceptions. It had a black interior and the third seat. I would have accepted the third seat, but couldn't hack the black interior. I have always wondered what happened to that car. From Canada overdrive wasn't offered with the 289 and the other options weren't available either so I had the a/c, headrest and Hill Holder dealer installed. I ended up getting a set of Sears window screens to help cut the greenhouse effect with the clear glass. I took out the ones for the door windows as they rattled and the one for the tailgate glass as it was kind of a nuisance. I still have the rear side window panels in it.