Kirby's (im)famous collection

[58PackardWagon]

The rear fenders and the floors on the Packards go so quickly when left outside.

57 & 58 Packards
62 Daytona
63 R2 Lark

[58PackardWagon]

Did I just see a 57 Packard Station Wagon?

57 & 58 Packards
62 Daytona
63 R2 Lark

[53k]

quote:Originally posted by 58PackardWagon

Did I just see a 57 Packard Station Wagon?

Yes. He has both a '57 Packard wagon and a sedan. Both were bought in the early 60s as family transportation vehicles. I think the wagon was converted to a four-barrel and the blower isn't on the sedan, but he has it somewhere. He said he found out from the PO that the wagon supercharger was in the back when it was traded in on a new Dodge in '61. The Dodge dealer had thrown it away, but their trash pick-up hadn't been made so they were able to find the s/c in the trash bin. The upholstery in the wagon was re-done years ago in vinyl.

Paul Johnson, Wild and Wonderful West Virginia. '64 Daytona Wagonaire, '64 Daytona convertible, '53 Commander Starliner, Museum R-4 engine, '62 Gravely Model L, '72 Gravely Model 430

[53k]

quote:Originally posted by showbizkid

Wow, TWO '58 Packard hardtops! For such a low-production car, those body style has a pretty amazing survival rate.

Actually, he has three '58 Packard hardtops. The picture of a tree growing through the rear quarter panel is also a Packard. See images 28 and 29.

Paul Johnson, Wild and Wonderful West Virginia. '64 Daytona Wagonaire, '64 Daytona convertible, '53 Commander Starliner, Museum R-4 engine, '62 Gravely Model L, '72 Gravely Model 430

[tutone63]

I shouldn't have looked...



1963 Lark, waiting for spring...

[bob40]

After looking at the pics before work I had all day to mull it over.
This may be the best example of what not to do.For the crowd that hollers
"Save every Stude" this is what can happen.
Desirable cars that coulda/shoulda been sold off years ago.
I've bought collections like this in the past and it's always
the same.Good intentions but ran out of time/money/desire.
Cars like the '57 Packard wagon bought 40+ years ago and left sitting?
My guess is there were offers over the years that were declined.
I'm trying not to criticize Mr.Kirby...I've held onto cars as well that should
have been moved into someone elses hands before they rotted in mine so I
know how it goes.
The cars may have been saved when bought but while a percentage would have been
used up and scrapped a good portion would have had the chance to be taken care
of and might today be on the road.Saving Studes is a good thing buy relegating
them to a slow death...it's the same as parking them in a salvage yard that never opens.I hope there is a happy ending to all these.

[StudeRich]

I think one of Mr. Kirby's problems is, he lives in the WRONG climate!
If they were in: Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, Eastern Washington, Oregon and non-coastal parts of Calif. they would be restorable!

Wherever they are, it's BAD! [xx(]


StudeRich at Studebakers Northwest -Ferndale,WA

[BobPalma]

quote:Originally posted by StudeRich

Wherever they are, it's BAD! [xx(]

Near Martinsburg WV, Rich. There are worse climates, believe it or not, but having cars sit on bare ground to sink in up to the frames is indeed bad news. BP

[53k]

quote:Originally posted by BobPalma

quote:Originally posted by StudeRich
Wherever they are, it's BAD! [xx(]

Near Martinsburg WV, Rich. There are worse climates, believe it or not, but having cars sit on bare ground to sink in up to the frames is indeed bad news. BP

What Bob said plus... Most cars that were sold in towns like Martinsburg, a comfortable distance from the DC-Baltimore metro areas, didn't rust much if at all. They didn't use much if any salt on the roads in rural areas then, but many of Torrey's cars lived their functional lives in DC or Baltimore so they have the usual city salt rust (but not as bad as extreme northern states where a LOT of snow is experienced or salt air locations like Hawaii).
You guys in Oregon and Washington had far more snow this year than we had (not quite two inches total for the winter).

Paul Johnson, Wild and Wonderful West Virginia. '64 Daytona Wagonaire, '64 Daytona convertible, '53 Commander Starliner, Museum R-4 engine, '62 Gravely Model L, '72 Gravely Model 430

[qsanford]

I wonder if he still has the NOS interior? Might help with sale.

This black '64 Cruiser is a broadcloth interior model. He bought a NOS broadcloth interior for it years ago for its restoration.

Torrey does have some nice cars in his buildings. And, he has sold some of his more precious ones in the past several years (like a full package '64 Super Lark R-2 Daytona hardtop). That car was sold new at Porterfield Studebaker in Martinsburg, WV and he wanted it to stay in the same town so he sold it to the son of the former Studebaker dealer. It is in the last stages of a good restoration.

Paul Johnson, Wild and Wonderful West Virginia. '64 Daytona Wagonaire, '64 Daytona convertible, '53 Commander Starliner, Museum R-4 engine, '62 Gravely Model L, '72 Gravely Model 430

[53k]

I wonder if he still has the NOS interior? Might help with sale.

Thanks. I had forgotten about that remark. Finding it will be the problem.