Eich VW - Mazda dealership is prominently displaying a 1942 Studebaker (St. Cloud, Minnesota)

[Milaca]

I was driving past Eich Motor Company on Thursday when much to my surprise, I spotted a 1942 Studebaker in the elevated window display! I did not have a camera with, so I emailed the dealership when I arrived home, and asked for a photo of the car. Soon after, the sales manager sent me a close-up photo of the Studebaker.
Eich Motor Company was a Studebaker dealership from 1898 until 1960, when they became a Volkswagen dealership and later added Mazda in 1975.

Here is the dealership shown in 2019 with a typical Mazda in the elevated window display:


Here is a closeup of what I believe to be a 1942 Commander Skyway sedan displayed in the window today:

[studegary]

Nice of them to display an excellent Studebaker. Perhaps it is Winter storage for an owner's car.

Are you sure that it is now a dual VW and Mazda dealership? I am surprised that this would be allowed by either maker. Perhaps you mean that that they have two dealerships, one for each brand, not cohabitating in the same building, or that Mazda replaced VW and was not "added" to it.

[skyway]

Very cool, and the suicide rear doors make it a Cruising Sedan!

[Milaca]

Nice of them to display an excellent Studebaker. Perhaps it is Winter storage for an owner's car.

Are you sure that it is now a dual VW and Mazda dealership? I am surprised that this would be allowed by either maker. Perhaps you mean that that they have two dealerships, one for each brand, not cohabitating in the same building, or that Mazda replaced VW and was not "added" to it.

VW and Mazda were once in the same building, but now occupy two separate buildings with a street between them. Mazdas are sold from the former Studebaker dealership building.

[6hk71400]

I got to ask: since the car dealership is there to sell cars, is the Studebaker for sale? I am sure the manufacturers warranty has expired on the car. It probably would be a first for this 21st Century to sell a used Studebaker from a franchised new car dealership.

Bob Miles

[Milaca]

Good question Bob, I hadn't even thought of asking.
I assumed it is only for display being that they were once a Studebaker dealer, but I suppose anything they have is for sale, for the right price.
I did however ask for more information about the car, but haven't received reply.

[Mark L]

Another question to ask would be: Is that a Studebaker that was originally sold new through that dealer?

[64V19816]

The local VW dealer here had a 1947 VW Beetle in their showroom for years. My Father was a FaNaTiC about split window VWs and about 1971 or so wanted it . Oh My God he Wanted It! I was with him when he spread out ten thousand dollars in $100 bills on a salesman’s desk. Not For Sale!!!!!

[8E45E]

Nice of them to display an excellent Studebaker. Perhaps it is Winter storage for an owner's car.

Are you sure that it is now a dual VW and Mazda dealership? I am surprised that this would be allowed by either maker. Perhaps you mean that that they have two dealerships, one for each brand, not cohabitating in the same building, or that Mazda replaced VW and was not "added" to it.

I don't expect it to remain in that prominent showroom spot the entire winter. It's definitely a nice car, but I'm sure the Mazda Zone Office will have something to say about that if it remains there in the new year!!

Craig

[6hk71400]

I was selling new and used cars in 1979-80 and I had taken on of the antique drawings out of the frame and put a picture of my smiling 16 year old self with my Speedster. The GM walked by my office on day and I proudly said that was me. The GM took one look and said take it down and if I wanted to sell Studebakers that could be arranged.

Bob Miles

[Hallabutt]

Am I the only one seeing a coach built European body, on the the display car? There are two many differences for me to go into, but look at the rear fender, slope of the trunk and the wing window, which has a more solid pillar then the chromed, removable front stanchion on a Studebaker Cruising Sedan.

[Jeff_H]

I think its great that someone at that dealer knows and remembers their history enough to honor it with having that car there for a while.

[Andy R.]

Royal Motors in San Francisco sells VW and Mazda on one corner...and Volvo across the street...and Audi across the other street.

[studegary]

Royal Motors in San Francisco sells VW and Mazda on one corner...and Volvo across the street...and Audi across the other street.

There are dealers around here that sell multiple brands, like 19, but not competing brands in the same building.

[Andy R.]

Yes, the VW section and Mazda section are separated by a roll-up door that is always open.