Motor Trend March 64- Letters to Editor

[studegary]

The one letter points up the importance of perception in selling cars. He states that Studebaker should "...go back to a longer shell...of the mid-1950s." A 1964 Studebaker body shell is the same length as the body shell was in 1953-1955 (mid-1950s), except for Land Cruisers. The perception is that the 1964 is a smaller body becuse of the reduction in overhang and the resulting visual difference.

Gary L.
Wappinger, NY

SDC member since 1968
Studebaker enthusiast much longer

[BobPalma]

Ah, yes; words and the cyclical use thereof!

When is the last time anyone saw the word CLODS in print to describe someone whose elevator doesn't go all the way to the top floor?

I love it. BP

[bams50]

Dang, Leonard, you got me; that's a LOT easier than the half hour I spent two-finger typing it. I guess I got a little carried away copying letters from old magazines[:I][:I][)]

I learned my lesson...if it's worth sharing, Leonard's got it and will just scan it[8D]



Robert (Bob) Andrews Owner- Studebakeracres- on the IoMT (Island of Misfit Toys!)
Parish, central NY 13131

"Some people live for the rules, I live for exceptions"- 311

"With your Lark you're on your own, free as a bird, alive as a Lark. You've suddenly discovered that happiness is a thing called Larking!"

[lstude]

Here is Bill Dredge's letter and other letters about Studebaker from readers.



Leonard Shepherd
http://leonardshepherd.com/

[bams50]

I find this stuff very interesting[8D] Don't know if you do, but here are some Letters to the Editor:

First one is from Bill Dredge, P.R. Director for Studebaker Corp.:

In some quarters, there seems to be undue wailing at the bar concerning the future position of Studebaker in the U.S. automobile market, based on our recent decision to transfer manufacturing from South Bend to Hamilton.

It goes without saying that we here at Studebaker are deeply appreciative of the many fine things you have said about our company and it's products over the years.

But right now, we have strong need for some authoritative comment on the subject of our manufacturing shift to Hamilton, pointing up the fact that Studebaker automobiles will continue to be sold strongly in the U.S. and that these will be the same Studebakers which we have sold all along. There are bound to be some doubts on this score among Studebaker owners and motorists who have contemplated buying Studebakers.

Anything you can write or publish to set these doubts to rest will be deeply appreciated.

Next from Graeme Mc Gerrigle from Quebec (excerpted):

Upon hearing of the closing of the Studebaker plant at South Bend, I've become completely disgusted with the American motoring public. I think car buyers in general are clods. They must be, if a company like Studebaker is forced out of business due to a lack of sales.

The only conclusion I can come to, in view of the recent events at South Bend, is that American buyers are afraid of originality and variety.

This from Roger S. Apted of La Crosse. WI (excerpted):

What wrecked Studebaker?

One thing was the thinking of the general public. Some years ago, a buddy of mine picked up a '53 coupe for a few hundred bucks. As soon as his father learned about it, his first concern was it's trade-in value.

If Studebaker goes back to a longer shell in Canada and the old, solid, six-passenger cars of the mid-1950s, they might sell a few here. I think there's still a big market in the U.S. for a solid, economical, six-passenger car that's smaller than the standard-sized cars of today but larger than the compacts.

Must be ol' Roger never heard of Fairlane, Chevy II, F-85, Skylark, etc.

And lastly, David St. Hilaire of Winnipeg, Manitoba:

It's a shame that Studebaker is ceasing production in the U.S. But, the fact that all the records they set at Bonneville didn't help bolster sagging sales should help to further disprove the idea that performance sells cars.

A toast to GM's wise decision to cut back on their racing program!

To that I say,
[)]




Robert (Bob) Andrews Owner- Studebakeracres- on the IoMT (Island of Misfit Toys!)
Parish, central NY 13131

"Some people live for the rules, I live for exceptions"- 311

"With your Lark you're on your own, free as a bird, alive as a Lark. You've suddenly discovered that happiness is a thing called Larking!"