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Studebakers Spotted in Arizona, New Mexico, and Nevada

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  • Studebakers Spotted in Arizona, New Mexico, and Nevada

    My wife and I just got back from a 2-week trip to Arizona, New Mexico, and Nevada. We drove out to Scottsdale AZ in a Penske rental truck to bring my younger son his furniture/stuff that he had stored at our house (figure that was the most efficient way of getting it out of our house ), then rented a car and toured AZ, NM, and NV for about 9 days. We flew back from Phoenix yesterday.

    I had hoped to tell everyone that we saw lots of Studebakers on the road, but alas we did not see any driving. We did see one being towed behind a fancy motorhome on I-40 near Gallup New Mexico -- a nice '66 Daytona Sport Sedan. Anyone on the forum recognize it or own it?? It had Arizona plates:
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    On the east side of Moriarty NM, right alongside I-40, we saw several Studebakers sitting in a yard (possibly for quite a while): a Champ pickup, a 1-ton or larger '57 thru '64 truck, a white '64 or '65 sedan, and some type of C/K body (maybe a '56 Golden Hawk but couldn't tell for sure). Unfortunately no pictures, since my request to backtrack and photograph would not have been met with enthusiasm .

    In Show Low AZ, we spotted a metallic blue '59 or '60 Hawk at what looked like a custom/hot rod shop. Looked like this one was being driven. Again, no pictures..........

    In Santa Rosa NM, at the Route 66 Museum, there was a M-Series Pickup sitting out back in a line of other derelict vehicles:
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    At the Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona, there is what is supposedly a '32 Studebaker sitting on the old Route 66 roadbed. Can anyone verify the year? I have a few more pictures but didn't want to load too many:
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    In Winslow AZ (yes, the 'standing on the corner in Winslow Arizona' place) there was what looked like a Studebaker Scotsman pickup with a patriotic paint scheme sitting on a Brand-X four wheel drive frame. Don't get too excited, there were wooden blocks helping support the body on the frame, no steering box, and only part of an engine, but it would make for a neat vehicle if finished:
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    Finally, also in Winslow AZ is a picture that was hanging on the wall of the café where we had breakfast, showing a street scene from Winslow in the '50s or '60s.......with a '55 V8 Studebaker pickup taking a prominent position in the forefront:
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    We saw a lot of other interesting cars, including Kaisers, Willys Aero, Crosleys, etc. In Santa Fe we stumbled on the annual Santa Fe Concurs which is a three-day show. On Saturday morning they have a 'show' in the square before the cars leave on a driving tour; there were Packards, Auburns, a very early original unrestored Shelby Cobra, a Cunningham, Sunbeam Tiger, a Glasspar G2, and many other neat cars. Wish we had more Studebaker pictures to show, however, but I hope you enjoy them.
    Paul
    Winston-Salem, NC
    Visit The Studebaker Skytop Registry website at: www.studebakerskytop.com

  • #2
    The '66 Daytona sport sedan is probably one that came from Alberta, and was sold in AZ a couple of years ago. The trucks in Moriarty, N.M. are at family-run museum, and are not for sale, but you can wander the yard. There is also a large building full of neat things. Well worth the visit.
    Gord Richmond, within Weasel range of the Alberta Badlands

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    • #3
      You found us. When you took the picture of the 66 Daytona behind our motorhome, we were almost back home after towing the Studebaker about 6000 miles. We used it as our vehicle when we had the motorhome parked, hit several local, small town shows, did DYSD with the Michiana club in South Bend and just had a ball. This was the second year we took the Daytona along for the summer. It follows that big bus real well on the tow dolly. Just have to disconnect the driveshaft, but I've got that down to a science and it's about a 10 to 15 minute job. Time well spent to enjoy our car all summer, promote Studebaker, and give those on the highway something to see and talk about. We usually travel the back highways, but you caught us on the I-40 about a day from home.
      sigpic1966 Daytona (The First One)
      1950 Champion Convertible
      1950 Champion 4Dr
      1955 President 2 Dr Hardtop
      1957 Thunderbird

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      • #4
        Thanks for the post! For some reason, one of the most pleasant entertaining reads in a while. Some eye candy and it Tickled my imagination. A bit of an enjoyable vicarious drive without leaving the couch.
        John Clary
        Greer, SC

        SDC member since 1975

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        • #5
          Ken, that's a nice rig you have, and I bet towing the Daytona makes a bunch of people notice you even more! It's bothered me for 6 months that I couldn't figure out whose car that was. It's a nice one! By the way, I just noticed on your signature line it says "1966 Daytona (The First One)" -- is that the very first '66 Stude off the line?

          John, glad you liked it. We had a great time, and saw a whole lot. These are the only car-related items, but saw some beautiful National Parks, did some hiking, etc. Either this Fall, or Spring 2018, I plan to drive a Studebaker out to Arizona (the wife said she would fly out ). Really looking forward to that.
          Paul
          Winston-Salem, NC
          Visit The Studebaker Skytop Registry website at: www.studebakerskytop.com

          Comment


          • #6
            As of 5/10/17 we own a home in Arizona too. The first Stude of mine to go there will likely be my 61 Champ. The house is in a very rural area that we'll have to bring in our own water. I already bought a water trailer so the plan is to have the Champ ready for that duty. We can see Route 66 from the east facing porch (around a mile & half away) but it takes almost 5 miles to get to it.

            I already have my Arizona drivers license & one of our daily drivers registered there. Hopefully we'll be moved in for good by years end. Then some Studebakers will be spotted in & around "the birthplace of Route 66" ( hint hint).
            59 Lark wagon, now V-8, H.D. auto!
            60 Lark convertible V-8 auto
            61 Champ 1/2 ton 4 speed
            62 Champ 3/4 ton 5 speed o/drive
            62 Champ 3/4 ton auto
            62 Daytona convertible V-8 4 speed & 62 Cruiser, auto.
            63 G.T. Hawk R-2,4 speed
            63 Avanti (2) R-1 auto
            64 Zip Van
            66 Daytona Sport Sedan(327)V-8 4 speed
            66 Cruiser V-8 auto

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            • #7
              It is the first Daytona built for the 1966 model year. It's the 6TH V8 car built It was one of the 12 missing 65's that Studebaker pulled from the 65 production line and built 66's from, has both vin#s on the build sheet. This car was used by Studebaker until after they ceased production in March of 1966 as a promotional show car. According to Stu Chapman, this car could have had almost any option that was available, or would become available put on it. The item in question is the chrome tail light housings that were not used until mid run, but were known to exist much earlier. It was even painted a non Studebaker color, Maderia Red, to give it a little more "wow factor" for the shows.
              Originally posted by r1lark View Post
              Ken, that's a nice rig you have, and I bet towing the Daytona makes a bunch of people notice you even more! It's bothered me for 6 months that I couldn't figure out whose car that was. It's a nice one! By the way, I just noticed on your signature line it says "1966 Daytona (The First One)" -- is that the very first '66 Stude off the line?

              John, glad you liked it. We had a great time, and saw a whole lot. These are the only car-related items, but saw some beautiful National Parks, did some hiking, etc. Either this Fall, or Spring 2018, I plan to drive a Studebaker out to Arizona (the wife said she would fly out ). Really looking forward to that.
              Last edited by thunderations; 05-19-2017, 12:01 PM.
              sigpic1966 Daytona (The First One)
              1950 Champion Convertible
              1950 Champion 4Dr
              1955 President 2 Dr Hardtop
              1957 Thunderbird

              Comment


              • #8
                We just completed the Route 66 Fun Run that starts in Seligman. Have done the run for the last 28 years driving several different cars, but for the last 5 or 6, it's been the 66 Daytona.....it has A/C. This year the dates conflicted with the Studebaker International in South Bend. I was born in South Bend and grew up in Mishawaka, just east of SB. Knowing what early May weather can be in SB and not wanting to miss the Fun Run, we opted to stay in AZ and drive the old road again. We leave next week for SB and a 50TH high school reunion for my wife and to visit relatives. Anyway, welcome to AZ and I'm sure we will bump into each other along the roads and trails. The Grand Canyon Chapter is just a couple hours south and well worth joining. If you do join, mention my name, (there's a contest). Check out the chapters web site and contact the membership chairman for more info. Hope to see you around. Ken West

                Originally posted by Warren Webb View Post
                As of 5/10/17 we own a home in Arizona too. The first Stude of mine to go there will likely be my 61 Champ. The house is in a very rural area that we'll have to bring in our own water. I already bought a water trailer so the plan is to have the Champ ready for that duty. We can see Route 66 from the east facing porch (around a mile & half away) but it takes almost 5 miles to get to it.

                I already have my Arizona drivers license & one of our daily drivers registered there. Hopefully we'll be moved in for good by years end. Then some Studebakers will be spotted in & around "the birthplace of Route 66" ( hint hint).
                sigpic1966 Daytona (The First One)
                1950 Champion Convertible
                1950 Champion 4Dr
                1955 President 2 Dr Hardtop
                1957 Thunderbird

                Comment


                • #9
                  Looks like today's citizens are being a little rough on that '32. IIRC when we visited in 2006 or 2007 I don't remember the driver's door being bashed in like that.
                  KURTRUK
                  (read it backwards)




                  Nothing is politically right which is morally wrong. -A. Lincoln

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Ken, we also travelled down the 1-40 from SB a couple of weeks ago and stayed over at Gallup. We had dinner at the Navajo Casino in Gallup which was quite interesting for a couple of aussies dining in an all Native Indian establishment.
                    We also continued onto Flagstaff which I was impressed with the city and its beautiful mountains and pines. Then onto the old route 66 at Seligman, Peach Springs and Hackberry general store.

                    Brian Greenall
                    Melbourne, OZ
                    sigpic

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                    • #11
                      Good for you. Traveling the "Mother Road" is always a fun experience for us. Having done it soooo many times, we tend to wander off on some side roads and sometimes find some pretty incredible things that have been lost to most because Interstate travel doesn't mix well with small rural towns. We try to stay off of the Interstates as much as possible, running the old US and State highways. Usually not in any hurry and many of the little towns bypassed by the Interstates, are still thriving and the people are as friendly as ever. I have to laugh sometimes when we come to the "Reduce speed ahead" signs, slow down to 35 MPH and see a sign for a small burg with a population of 18. There are no homes or businesses in sight, just a cross roads. It's all about that simpler life of our parents and grandparents and what was important and what was extravagance. It wasn't a "throw away" society and no credit other then the local bank where a handshake was a binding contract.
                      Hope you enjoyed Route 66 through Arizona and can make it back sometime for the Fun Run.
                      Originally posted by packardHawk58 View Post
                      Ken, we also travelled down the 1-40 from SB a couple of weeks ago and stayed over at Gallup. We had dinner at the Navajo Casino in Gallup which was quite interesting for a couple of aussies dining in an all Native Indian establishment.
                      We also continued onto Flagstaff which I was impressed with the city and its beautiful mountains and pines. Then onto the old route 66 at Seligman, Peach Springs and Hackberry general store.

                      sigpic1966 Daytona (The First One)
                      1950 Champion Convertible
                      1950 Champion 4Dr
                      1955 President 2 Dr Hardtop
                      1957 Thunderbird

                      Comment

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