Newby Question... Starlight vs. Starliner?

[cjsteak]

In trying to do some research on my car I only seem to get myself more and more confused. I found a few (FEW) more pics on the internet of '58's like mine. Some of the captions call it a Starliner instead of a Starlight and vise / versa. Was this just a different trim package? The only real difference I saw was one of them wasn't two tone at all and one had a Continental kit thing on top of the trunk lid.

http://oldcarandtruckpictures.com/Studebaker/TheEnd.html

It's about halfway down. More of them are referred to as Starliners.

Chris Salisbury
Hutto/Austin, TX

1958 Commander Starlight Hardtop

[JDP]

Again, the hard tops were call Starlights in 1958 only since Ford had taken the rights to the Starliner name.

JDP/Maryland
63 R2 SuperHawk (Caesar)
spent to date $54718.75
64 R2 GT (Sid)
spent to date $62,439.30
63 Lark 2 door
54 Starlight
52 Starliner
51 Commander
39 Coupe express
39 Coupe express (rod)

[JDP]

Again, the hard tops were call Starlights in 1958 only since Ford had taken the rights to the Starliner name.

JDP/Maryland
63 R2 SuperHawk (Caesar)
spent to date $54718.75
64 R2 GT (Sid)
spent to date $62,439.30
63 Lark 2 door
54 Starlight
52 Starliner
51 Commander
39 Coupe express
39 Coupe express (rod)

[cjsteak]

Sheesh... I was just askin' as I saw conflicting information on the website. I'll inform the website owner of the error so newbies like me don't get it wrong.

Thanks,

Chris Salisbury
Hutto/Austin, TX

1958 Commander Starlight Hardtop

[cjsteak]

Sheesh... I was just askin' as I saw conflicting information on the website. I'll inform the website owner of the error so newbies like me don't get it wrong.

Thanks,

Chris Salisbury
Hutto/Austin, TX

1958 Commander Starlight Hardtop

[JDP]

Sorry, I thought you were the same guy that I posted the explanation about a few days back. Here's what I posted:

It gets more confusing, hardtops were call Starliners in 52-55, and Starlights WERE coupes. In 58, Ford had the rights to the Startliner name, thus the hardtop became a Starlight. Got that ?

JDP/Maryland
63 R2 SuperHawk (Caesar)
spent to date $54718.75
64 R2 GT (Sid)
spent to date $62,439.30
63 Lark 2 door
54 Starlight
52 Starliner
51 Commander
39 Coupe express
39 Coupe express (rod)

[JDP]

Sorry, I thought you were the same guy that I posted the explanation about a few days back. Here's what I posted:

It gets more confusing, hardtops were call Starliners in 52-55, and Starlights WERE coupes. In 58, Ford had the rights to the Startliner name, thus the hardtop became a Starlight. Got that ?

JDP/Maryland
63 R2 SuperHawk (Caesar)
spent to date $54718.75
64 R2 GT (Sid)
spent to date $62,439.30
63 Lark 2 door
54 Starlight
52 Starliner
51 Commander
39 Coupe express
39 Coupe express (rod)

[cjsteak]

LOL... I think I got it now.

For a new person that has only the VERY basic knowledge of Studebaker's existence... they have got to be one of the most confusing brands to get to know!!! Thank goodness I have a place like this to help me out! [^]

Chris Salisbury
Hutto/Austin, TX

1958 Commander Starlight Hardtop

[cjsteak]

LOL... I think I got it now.

For a new person that has only the VERY basic knowledge of Studebaker's existence... they have got to be one of the most confusing brands to get to know!!! Thank goodness I have a place like this to help me out! [^]

Chris Salisbury
Hutto/Austin, TX

1958 Commander Starlight Hardtop

[JDP]

I've been in the hobby for long time, and I learn something new everyday. You'll be fine, just hang in there.

JDP/Maryland
63 R2 SuperHawk (Caesar)
spent to date $54718.75
64 R2 GT (Sid)
spent to date $62,439.30
63 Lark 2 door
54 Starlight
52 Starliner
51 Commander
39 Coupe express
39 Coupe express (rod)

[JDP]

I've been in the hobby for long time, and I learn something new everyday. You'll be fine, just hang in there.

JDP/Maryland
63 R2 SuperHawk (Caesar)
spent to date $54718.75
64 R2 GT (Sid)
spent to date $62,439.30
63 Lark 2 door
54 Starlight
52 Starliner
51 Commander
39 Coupe express
39 Coupe express (rod)

[BobPalma]

quote:Originally posted by JDP

Again, the hard tops were call Starlights in 1958 only since Ford had taken the rights to the Starliner name.

JDP/Maryland

You sure about that, John?

If that was the real reason Studebaker labeled the 1958 hardtops Starlights, Ford would have had to be awarded a trademark to Starliner sometime in 1957 at the latest. Ford first used the name Starliner on a car as the 1960 "fastroof" model (actually, they all were), introduced in the fall of 1959.

Skyliner, yes; the retractable hardtop...and even Sunliner, the conventional, soft-top convertible. But Starliner and Ford in 1957? Hmmm.... [:0][8D] BP

[BobPalma]

quote:Originally posted by JDP

Again, the hard tops were call Starlights in 1958 only since Ford had taken the rights to the Starliner name.

JDP/Maryland

You sure about that, John?

If that was the real reason Studebaker labeled the 1958 hardtops Starlights, Ford would have had to be awarded a trademark to Starliner sometime in 1957 at the latest. Ford first used the name Starliner on a car as the 1960 "fastroof" model (actually, they all were), introduced in the fall of 1959.

Skyliner, yes; the retractable hardtop...and even Sunliner, the conventional, soft-top convertible. But Starliner and Ford in 1957? Hmmm.... [:0][8D] BP

[JDP]

Bob, I may have repeated a urban legend, but that what I've read over the years. Why did Studebaker drop the Starliner name for the hardtops in 1958?

JDP/Maryland
63 R2 SuperHawk (Caesar)
spent to date $54,758.75
64 R2 GT (Sid)
spent to date $62,439.30
63 Lark 2 door
54 Starlight
52 Starliner
51 Commander
39 Coupe express
39 Coupe express (rod)

[JDP]

Bob, I may have repeated a urban legend, but that what I've read over the years. Why did Studebaker drop the Starliner name for the hardtops in 1958?

JDP/Maryland
63 R2 SuperHawk (Caesar)
spent to date $54,758.75
64 R2 GT (Sid)
spent to date $62,439.30
63 Lark 2 door
54 Starlight
52 Starliner
51 Commander
39 Coupe express
39 Coupe express (rod)