Auction: '28 Erskine, '56 President, Noblesville, IN, June 30, 2018

[56H-Y6]

Sorry for the short notice, this auction at Noblesville, Indiana, Saturday June 30, 2018 includes a 1928 Erskine coach and a 1956 President Classic plus Studebaker signs and various petroliana:

https://www.auctionzip.com/Listings/3111070.html?kwd=Studebaker&zip=50310&category=4

Photos:

https://www.auctionzip.com/cgi-bin/photopanel.cgi?listingid=3111070&category=4&zip=50310&kwd=Studebaker

Steve

[dpson]

That 1928 Erskine looks a lot like the one I used to own.

I painted it with a Wagner electric paint sprayer, it didn't come out too well, but it was the best I could afford at that time.

[BobPalma]

Thanks for this link, Steve.

It's Thursday evening, June 28th. I'm going out there first thing Friday morning the 29th to look at the '56 President and see if I might want to bid on it Saturday. I know exactly where the property is, although I've never been to that specific place and the President is unknown to me (surprisingly!).

The Auction being conducted by Schrader Real Estate and Auction Company is important to me. They handled the farm auction of my wife and her brothers' farm when they inherited it upon their parents' passing. It was the most professional auction company I've ever seen; they did a wonderful job for my wife and her brothers. It was only 80 acres in east central Indiana, but Schrader treated them as if it was two sections of prime Nebraska farmland.

Impressive; I'd recommend Schrader to anyone. BP

[studegary]

The 1956 Pres. Classic and the Buick (1964 Electra 225 ?) both look good to me. I would like to be at that auction.

[52 Ragtop]

That is from the estate of the late Joe Reynolds, Yes, part of the Reynolds farm Equipment here in central Indiana. The Erskine does run, but (last I knew) had a missing tooth in the ring gear. Has the original interior from what I remember, and I believe the original paint. I had a first hand tour of Joes garage/shop a few years ago, and I was told inside the house was full of "treasures" I never got into the house. His house is right across from the Noblesville Airport, where there is a group of 5 bi-planes that fly out of there.

Jim

[BobPalma]

Thanks for that info, Jim.

So you knew of a 1956 President Classic in Noblesville that you did not disclose to the rest of us?

Your information verifies why Schrader Auctions was chosen for the sale; if anyone would know who conducts the best farm-related auctions, it would be the Reynolds Farm Equipment family in Noblesville/Fishers. I'm surprised there aren't more John Deere items in the sale, as wealthy as JD made them, and visa-versa...and deservedly so.

Come to think of it, the family is probably retaining all the John Deere material; that would make sense since they are still a going and growing concern. Nice people, by all accounts. BP

[BobPalma]

'Went to see the 1956 President Classic this morning. Not a bad car at all; even has some original paint. The owner has owned it 33 years.

Doesn't have any terminal rust "issues" and it doesn't look like it ever did. Worst rust is the passenger-side floor and it's not terrible, nor has it ever been repaired. Drivers side is much nicer. Here's the passenger side; the worse side.



Shows just shy of 49,000 miles and it could be right: Still has the flimsy original shift collar and the pin hasn't hogged out the collar very much; still usable.

OMG, does it need whitewall tires of the correct whitewall width! The blackwalls are in excellent shape and the correct size and profile but golly, does a two-tone 1956 President Classic look dumb with blackwall tires and full wheel covers.

Boy, is it an oddball for a President Classic. Get this: NO radio, NO Cigarette Lighter, NO Clock, and stick overdrive transmission! I took several detail pictures confirming what I believe to be a decent enough car and may go back to bid on it Saturday morning, or else I'd post the photos....but really don't want to get anyone else there to bid against me, so you'll have to wait! BP

[BobPalma]

Here's the 1956 President's new owner; Jason Reynolds. It was a family member's estate and he remembers being with his uncle or granddad (I forget which) for many years and always wanted the car.

He kept nodding his head every time they pointed to him until everyone else gave up! He is really proud of the car and wants to keep and maintain it. I gave him my card to be contacted for SDC membership.



'Good to have a "young 'un" interested in a Studebaker 4-door!

(Gary Lindstrom: The 1964 Buick Electra 225 4-door hardtop sold for $3,900. A bargain if you ask me; it wasn't all that bad.) BP

[dpson]

Any idea what the Erskine sold for?

[tim333]

Prices for both?

[BobPalma]

Prices for both?

I was too busy talking to Jason about the President when the Erskine was being sold or I'd post the selling price. It did run and drive; they started it up and it seemed to run well. $4,000(?) Honest, I don't know.

I'd rather not post what Jason paid for the President since I suspect part of the price bid was family sentiment, which skews the figure. (Do under others as you would have them do unto you and all that. If he sees this and wants to post what he paid for it, that's fine with me, of course.) BP

[studegary]

Bob P. - thanks for the price on the Electra two and a quarter. I probably would have been a bidder on that since it seems like I wouldn't have had a chance on the 1956.

[BobPalma]

Bob P. - thanks for the price on the Electra two and a quarter. I probably would have been a bidder on that since it seems like I wouldn't have had a chance on the 1956.

Gary: The Electra was mostly (if not all) original paint and it was weak, being light blue metallic. It would have been difficult to make it look more than just "presentable." Light blue metallics of that era, as you know, just weren't that durable, no matter how well maintained and kept out of the sun. A collector would have to break down and have the car painted within 5 years, I would think, as there was a little surface rust and road rash creeping out from behind some moldings:





Mechanically, it ran and sounded good, but the factory A/C was "down," as would be expected. The interior, including the driver seat, was nice; no issues.

It had six-way power seat and the motor ran when the switch was activated, but the seat didn't move in any direction. The guy showing me the car on preview day assured me "everything worked," but I had checked the seat before he came over with the keys. So I said, "Well; everything might work except the power seat; the motor runs but one or more gears must be stripped; it doesn't move."

He didn't respond to that remark. <GGG>

You're right on the '56 President Classic; Jason was going to leave his hand in the arm until he got a cramp in his arm or the cows came home....and it was nowhere near milking time when the car sold. BP

[BobPalma]

Note to Steve Kelley, the OP of this thread: Thanks for the link and the post.

I saw no other local Studebaker people at the auction; it simply wasn't advertised in central Indiana beyond that link. Had you not posted this, even with short notice, I would not have known about the car even though it's in my immediate area.

I was glad to have been able to check out the President. Here's photos of the drivers floor and trunk corner; as you see, a nice car and unmolested:





Yes, it is a nice car structurally.

BP

[56H-Y6]

Hi Bob

You are welcome. I check Auctionzip.com for Packard listings frequently to post on the PackardInfo Forum to bring to the attention of that community. I occasionally check for Studebaker too, specially for cars like this President Classic. The manual shift with overdrive would be the most desirable combination for many of us.

In general, auction companies do a very poor job of promoting collector cars at their auctions, particularly if the cars aren't the most popular makes and models. As we're likely to be the only people interested and willing to acquire those cars, its incumbent upon us to search them out as they become available and inform as many as possible of the opportunity to acquire them. If others will check Auctionzip for Studebaker regularly, that would be helpful for everyone.

Steve