My Conestoga and the 1954 Detroit Auto Show

[TN GT Hawk]

I've often wondered why my car, which spent the beginning and most of it's life in Nebraska (according to previous owner I talked to who bought it from original owner) , was delivered in Detroit Michigan. Here is what I know so far:

1) the production order says it was built on Dec 15, 1953 and delivered to Victory Motors in Detroit.

2) According to the screenshot from the show schedule, Victory Motors displayed Studebakers at the 1954 Show in February 1954.

Are there existing photos of the Studebaker display at the 1954 show?

[TN GT Hawk]

Production order

[StudeRich]

I guess it's possible, but I don't think they would hold the Wagon for 2 1/2 Months waiting for the Show.
So unless it was the Only Red and Beige D5 Regal Wagon available near Detroit at the time, it seems unlikely.

[TN GT Hawk]

I guess it's possible, but I don't think they would hold the Wagon for 2 1/2 Months waiting for the Show.
So unless it was the Only Red and Beige D5 Regal Wagon available near Detroit at the time, it seems unlikely.

I figured it wasn't likely, just trying to figure out how and why it went form Detroit to Nebraska. Did dealers ever wholesale to other dealers?

[StudeRich]

Yes Stude. Dealers did Trade Cars. Especially after the end of the yearly Production Run when Model, Color & Option choices were very limited.

I remember riding with Dad on a road Trip from Inglewood, CA up North to Hayward, CA in a Gray '58 Champion 4 Door, and coming back in a '58 Golden Hawk !

They traded Checks for the Wholesale Value of each.
Dad had a buyer wanting one of the Last of the Last, not only '58's, but the end of the line for Golden Hawk (K) Hardtops.

In your case, assuming the seller Really WAS the first owner, due to the extreme distance, I think it was more likely a Corp. Redistribution after the P.O. was written and never corrected.

[StudeRich]

We saw a LOT of new '59 Larks going the other way on US101, so it was well after Production ceased, and the Buyer realized it was his Last Chance (Sept./Oct. '58) to find and buy one!
He probably SAW the New '59 Hawks... Bah!