'54 Starliner accessories

[55 prez]

A friend of mine just acquired two Starliners yesterday and the '54 had some unusual accessories. It had a rear window wiper and a rear window defroster. These are parts cars that he has added to his inventory of Studebakers so he won't be ordering build sheets to verify equipment. The question is, were these probably dealer installed optional equipment or factory options? He sells parts off of 30 to 40 Studebakers.
Jim C.

[Dick Steinkamp]

Neither. I'd say they are most likely items added by some prior owner of the car.

[alanmende]

Hello Jim and Dick,

AC-2363 was the Rear Window Defogger and probably a dealer installed accessory. I have an NOS one that I was going to put in our 5H-K5. It is shown in John Bridges book, Studebaker's Finest. I'm not familiar with a rear window wiper, so that might have been an aftermarket non-Studebaker accessory.

Kindest regards,

Alan Mende
Hummelstown, PA

[r1lark]

quote:Originally posted by 55 prez

A friend of mine just acquired two Starliners yesterday and the '54 had some unusual accessories. It had a rear window wiper and a rear window defroster. These are parts cars that he has added to his inventory of Studebakers so he won't be ordering build sheets to verify equipment. The question is, were these probably dealer installed optional equipment or factory options? He sells parts off of 30 to 40 Studebakers.
Jim C.

There were Studebaker accessory rear window defrosters for '53 thru '55 6-volt cars. I have seen several on eBay in the past 8 months. One was for a sedan, which I considered buying for my daily driver '54 Champion.....but decided against it since the car needs other things much more than an rear defroster.

Anyway, the rear window defroster kit was AC-2363, for 14G to 16G ('53 thru '55 Champions and '55 Commander) and 4H to 6H ('53 thru '54 Commanders and '55 President) all body styles except D (station wagon). This info came from the '53 thru '57 Body Parts Catalog, and the parts book does use the term 'defroster'. The grille has a stylized 'S' on it IIRC.

If someone has a '53 thru '55 accessory book (Leonard??) they can post the picture hopefully.

I would think they could have been either factory installed or dealer installed. I'm sure someone (Leonard again??) would have the option lists that would verify this.

Paul
Winston-Salem NC

[Dick Steinkamp]

My bad on the defogger. 55 Prez said "defroster" and I visualized the clear plastic with the heated wires in it that pasted on the window. A "defogger" could be a Studebaker accessory.

[studegary]

The 1954 rear window defroster is AC-2363 and was dealer, not factory, installed (so wouldn't be on build sheet). I have never heard of a rear wiper as a Studebaker item for C/K models.

Gary L.
Wappinger, NY

SDC member since 1968
Studebaker enthusiast much longer

[JBOYLE]

quote: I have never heard of a rear wiper as a Studebaker item for C/K models.

I never saw a rear wiper until the early 70s on a Volvo wagon (240 Series). I can't believe they were any sort of option (dealer or factory installed) on a Stude that old.

63 Avanti R1 2788
1914 Stutz Bearcat
(George Barris replica)

Washington State

[lstude]

I went to a Chevy museum on Saturday and they had a 48 Chevy with every accessory that was offered including a rear windshield wiper.



Leonard Shepherd

http://leonardshepherd.com/

[wmsteve]

Wow! Istude & 55 prez. How wild is that AC... You've made me "hit the history books" and, I need to work on my car! I'm not going to toss one on but, interesting!

Oh well. I'll let you know what I find out.

Cool thread,

Steve

[rockne10]

A year or two ago there was a '53 Coupe on Ebay with a backlight wiper. I've never seen evidence it was a factory or dealer item.

In my mind, an unnecessary appendage.

[53k]

quote:Originally posted by alanmende
AC-2363 was the Rear Window Defogger and probably a dealer installed accessory. I have an NOS one that I was going to put in our 5H-K5. It is shown in John Bridges book, Studebaker's Finest. I'm not familiar with a rear window wiper, so that might have been an aftermarket non-Studebaker accessory.

In his book, Bridges describes it as one of the rarest Studebaker accessories. I also have a NOS one, but I'll probably never install it as I have a rear speaker and, as I remember, the defroster goes in the same place. It uses an electric grid for the heat source with a small fan blowing over the grid on to the glass. I imagine it pulls a few amps and I can't believe it would be effective.


[img=right]http://www.frontiernet.net/~thejohnsons/Forum%20signature%20pix/R-4.JPG[/img=right][img=right]http://www.frontiernet.net/~thejohnsons/Forum%20signature%20pix/64L.JPG[/img=right][img=right]http://www.frontiernet.net/~thejohnsons/Forum%20signature%20pix/64P.jpg[/img=right][img=right]http://www.frontiernet.net/~thejohnsons/Forum%20signature%20pix/53K.jpg[/img=right]Paul Johnson, Wild and Wonderful West Virginia
'53 Commander Starliner (since 1966)
'64 Daytona Wagonaire (original owner)
'64 Daytona Convertible (2006)
Museum R-4 engine
1962 Gravely Model L (Studebaker-Packard serial plate)
1972 Gravely Model 430 (Studebaker name plate, Studebaker Onan engine)

[Dwain G.]

Here's a pic from the '54 AC booklet showing the speaker centered on the rear shelf with the defogger to the left side.





Dwain G.

[53k]

quote:Originally posted by Dwain G.

Here's a pic from the '54 AC booklet showing the speaker centered on the rear shelf with the defogger to the left side.

Thanks. I should have looked before I posted[:I].

[img=right]http://www.frontiernet.net/~thejohnsons/Forum%20signature%20pix/R-4.JPG[/img=right][img=right]http://www.frontiernet.net/~thejohnsons/Forum%20signature%20pix/64L.JPG[/img=right][img=right]http://www.frontiernet.net/~thejohnsons/Forum%20signature%20pix/64P.jpg[/img=right][img=right]http://www.frontiernet.net/~thejohnsons/Forum%20signature%20pix/53K.jpg[/img=right]Paul Johnson, Wild and Wonderful West Virginia
'53 Commander Starliner (since 1966)
'64 Daytona Wagonaire (original owner)
'64 Daytona Convertible (2006)
Museum R-4 engine
1962 Gravely Model L (Studebaker-Packard serial plate)
1972 Gravely Model 430 (Studebaker name plate, Studebaker Onan engine)

[Dwain G.]

After I posted the pic it occured to me that there could have been alternate locations for the defoster. I wouldn't know without seeing a set of the installation instructions.


Dwain G.

[53k]

quote:Originally posted by Dwain G.

After I posted the pic it occured to me that there could have been alternate locations for the defoster. I wouldn't know without seeing a set of the installation instructions.

No. I think you are correct. I'll take a look at the instructions with my set next time I'm close to it. I'm thinking now my problem with installing it was that I didn't want that many holes in the back deck.


[img=right]http://www.frontiernet.net/~thejohnsons/Forum%20signature%20pix/R-4.JPG[/img=right][img=right]http://www.frontiernet.net/~thejohnsons/Forum%20signature%20pix/64L.JPG[/img=right][img=right]http://www.frontiernet.net/~thejohnsons/Forum%20signature%20pix/64P.jpg[/img=right][img=right]http://www.frontiernet.net/~thejohnsons/Forum%20signature%20pix/53K.jpg[/img=right]Paul Johnson, Wild and Wonderful West Virginia
'53 Commander Starliner (since 1966)
'64 Daytona Wagonaire (original owner)
'64 Daytona Convertible (2006)
Museum R-4 engine
1962 Gravely Model L (Studebaker-Packard serial plate)
1972 Gravely Model 430 (Studebaker name plate, Studebaker Onan engine)