I promise, I am not a Sci-Fi fanatic.
For as long as I can remember, the idea of Time-Travel has fascinated me. But not for the thing you would expect.
My fantasy would be to go back in time and bring back the car of my dreams. For me, it would have to be Studebaker.
I was born in 1958, so while I was there during Stude production, I do not have too many memories of seeing new Studes in the flesh.
Stewart Jones Motors was my Grandfather's dealership in St. Petersburg FL. In later years, I would spend time there with new Mercedes-Benz automobiles on the showroom floor. I could be found setting in the driver's seat, studying the interior, pretending to own or drive the car. My Studebaker memories are of cutting up Factory Brochures, pasting them in my scrapbook (long lost to time.) I have spent so much money, buying examples of the brochures I cut-up as a child. Who knew ? ? ?
Living in Florida, my Dad & Grandfather would order "practical Studes". Meaning no R2 engines, because Air Conditioning was very important in our climate and A/C was not an option with that engine. I don't think they thought about the performance upgrade available, with an R1 including A/C, over a normal 259 or 289 V8. Though they did sell 4 barrel + dual exhaust upgrades.
I became a member of SDC in 1976. It was at that time I purchased my Pacific Blue 1960 Lark VI. Which I still own.
http://forum.studebakerdriversclub.com/showthread.php?72317-The-Little-Old-Lady-from-St-Petersburg-Florida-1960-Lark-VI
In those years, Turning Wheels would reproduce magazine articles from back in the day. That exposed me to articles I never knew existed.
I remember reading the reproduced December 1963 Motor Trend article, on the 1964 Commander R2. Seeing it with those Halibrand magnesium wheels, made my heart spin.
I could live without the racing stripe, I didn't think is was wide enough. However staring at that profile picture, with those wheels, made me realize what clean lines were done by Brooks Stevens, using 1953 body heritage.
So back to my fantasy.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Time Travel rules:
You have to ability to travel ONE time, back to any year to order / purchase your NEW car.
You also have the ability to bring it back to the present time.
What would you buy?
Your purchase decision would change history, possibly make a rare cars not as rare. But you should want a car not because of rarity, but for the car itself.
Time Travel prices apply. You can negotiate the deal using currency and currency values at that time. (Don't ask me how you get 1963 currency, but let's just say it is possible.)
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
What Studebaker would I choose today?
That is a very hard decision, as I still want to own an early '63 Avanti someday. Back when the 2-tone Fawn interior (pre-wood dash) was available.
But for my practical PERFORMANCE dreams. I would go back and order a 1964 Commander, similar as was in Motor Trend.
1964 Commander 2 door sedan w/ Standard Features
Bordeaux Red
Black Reclining bucket seats
4 Speed T-10
3.73 Twin Traction rear end (special order)
Deluxe Horn-Ring
Halibrand Wheels (including spare)
R2 Performance Package *
* R-2 Jet Thrust supercharged engine, twin-traction rear axle with radius rods and F&R Sway-bars.
Power Disc Brakes, 160-mph speedometer, Tachometer, bucket seats, F&R carpeting.
That would about do it.
I can smell that new interior now !
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
So how would these engine option #s change ?
R1:
R2: + 1 64 Commander 2 dr Sedan
R3 Engine:
1 - Commander 2dr Sedan
9 - Avanti
R4 Engine:
1 - Daytona HT
Enjoy the fantasy
Keeping Studebakers alive
Stude-Preferred
Ken Jones
Atlanta, GA
For as long as I can remember, the idea of Time-Travel has fascinated me. But not for the thing you would expect.
My fantasy would be to go back in time and bring back the car of my dreams. For me, it would have to be Studebaker.
I was born in 1958, so while I was there during Stude production, I do not have too many memories of seeing new Studes in the flesh.
Stewart Jones Motors was my Grandfather's dealership in St. Petersburg FL. In later years, I would spend time there with new Mercedes-Benz automobiles on the showroom floor. I could be found setting in the driver's seat, studying the interior, pretending to own or drive the car. My Studebaker memories are of cutting up Factory Brochures, pasting them in my scrapbook (long lost to time.) I have spent so much money, buying examples of the brochures I cut-up as a child. Who knew ? ? ?
Living in Florida, my Dad & Grandfather would order "practical Studes". Meaning no R2 engines, because Air Conditioning was very important in our climate and A/C was not an option with that engine. I don't think they thought about the performance upgrade available, with an R1 including A/C, over a normal 259 or 289 V8. Though they did sell 4 barrel + dual exhaust upgrades.
I became a member of SDC in 1976. It was at that time I purchased my Pacific Blue 1960 Lark VI. Which I still own.
http://forum.studebakerdriversclub.com/showthread.php?72317-The-Little-Old-Lady-from-St-Petersburg-Florida-1960-Lark-VI
In those years, Turning Wheels would reproduce magazine articles from back in the day. That exposed me to articles I never knew existed.
I remember reading the reproduced December 1963 Motor Trend article, on the 1964 Commander R2. Seeing it with those Halibrand magnesium wheels, made my heart spin.
I could live without the racing stripe, I didn't think is was wide enough. However staring at that profile picture, with those wheels, made me realize what clean lines were done by Brooks Stevens, using 1953 body heritage.
So back to my fantasy.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Time Travel rules:
You have to ability to travel ONE time, back to any year to order / purchase your NEW car.
You also have the ability to bring it back to the present time.
What would you buy?
Your purchase decision would change history, possibly make a rare cars not as rare. But you should want a car not because of rarity, but for the car itself.
Time Travel prices apply. You can negotiate the deal using currency and currency values at that time. (Don't ask me how you get 1963 currency, but let's just say it is possible.)
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
What Studebaker would I choose today?
That is a very hard decision, as I still want to own an early '63 Avanti someday. Back when the 2-tone Fawn interior (pre-wood dash) was available.
But for my practical PERFORMANCE dreams. I would go back and order a 1964 Commander, similar as was in Motor Trend.
1964 Commander 2 door sedan w/ Standard Features
Bordeaux Red
Black Reclining bucket seats
4 Speed T-10
3.73 Twin Traction rear end (special order)
Deluxe Horn-Ring
Halibrand Wheels (including spare)
R2 Performance Package *
* R-2 Jet Thrust supercharged engine, twin-traction rear axle with radius rods and F&R Sway-bars.
Power Disc Brakes, 160-mph speedometer, Tachometer, bucket seats, F&R carpeting.
That would about do it.
I can smell that new interior now !
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
So how would these engine option #s change ?
R1:
R2: + 1 64 Commander 2 dr Sedan
R3 Engine:
1 - Commander 2dr Sedan
9 - Avanti
R4 Engine:
1 - Daytona HT
Enjoy the fantasy
Keeping Studebakers alive
Stude-Preferred
Ken Jones
Atlanta, GA
'63 Avanti R-1384. sold 12/10.
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