Studebaker and Hudson were probably the first to have a pickup (Coupe Express) good looking enough to drive to church and not be chased out of town by an angry mob with wielding torches and pitchforks.
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As Bonehead points out, the Tucker was the first car with a padded dash (and also with all instrumentation within the space of the steering wheel). But do not forget that the Tucker also had disc brakes and mechanical fuel injection (along with the track following front headlight).
However, with only 1 protype, another 37 cars produced by hand and 13 cobbled together from parts, it was hardly a "production" model.
Guido Salvage - "Where rust is beautiful"
Studebaker horse drawn buggy; 1946 M-16 fire truck; 1948 M-16 grain truck; 1949 2R16A grain truck; 1949 2R17A fire truck; 1950 2R5 pickup; 1952 2R17A grain truck; 1952 Packard 200 4 door; 1955 E-38 grain truck; 1957 3E-40 flatbed; 1961 6E-28 grain truck; 1962 7E-13D 4x4 rack truck; 1962 7E-7 Champ pickup; 1962 GT Hawk 4 speed; 1963 8E-28 flatbed; 1964 Avanti R2 4 speed; 1964 Cruiser and various other "treasures".
Hiding and preserving Studebakers in Richmond, Goochland & Louisa, Va.
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As Bonehead points out, the Tucker was the first car with a padded dash (and also with all instrumentation within the space of the steering wheel). But do not forget that the Tucker also had disc brakes and mechanical fuel injection (along with the track following front headlight).
However, with only 1 protype, another 37 cars produced by hand and 13 cobbled together from parts, it was hardly a "production" model.
Guido Salvage - "Where rust is beautiful"
Studebaker horse drawn buggy; 1946 M-16 fire truck; 1948 M-16 grain truck; 1949 2R16A grain truck; 1949 2R17A fire truck; 1950 2R5 pickup; 1952 2R17A grain truck; 1952 Packard 200 4 door; 1955 E-38 grain truck; 1957 3E-40 flatbed; 1961 6E-28 grain truck; 1962 7E-13D 4x4 rack truck; 1962 7E-7 Champ pickup; 1962 GT Hawk 4 speed; 1963 8E-28 flatbed; 1964 Avanti R2 4 speed; 1964 Cruiser and various other "treasures".
Hiding and preserving Studebakers in Richmond, Goochland & Louisa, Va.Comment
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[quote]Originally posted by Guido
The Avanti had a number of features worth mentioning other than the disc brakes. I believe it was the first to offer an integral rollbar as well as the top mounted aircraft style switches. How about the internal trunk access and the fact the trunk had no external key or handle? Did any other car have built in AC vents prior to the Avanti?
And how about the RED dash lights at night!!??!! I think Studebaker was the first to have that feature. I know BWM in the early eighties made a lot of hype about their having it on their cars.
CraigComment
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[quote]Originally posted by Guido
The Avanti had a number of features worth mentioning other than the disc brakes. I believe it was the first to offer an integral rollbar as well as the top mounted aircraft style switches. How about the internal trunk access and the fact the trunk had no external key or handle? Did any other car have built in AC vents prior to the Avanti?
And how about the RED dash lights at night!!??!! I think Studebaker was the first to have that feature. I know BWM in the early eighties made a lot of hype about their having it on their cars.
CraigComment
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I'm not sure about some of the items you mentioned, but I know that Studebaker was FAR from the first to have integrated AC outlets in the dash. I think Cadillac had them in the early 1950s and even 1957 Chevrolets could be had from the factory with dash integrated AC outlets. Yes, they're rare, but they were definitely available and look good.
I think you're right about the Avanti roll-bar, though."Madness...is the exception in individuals, but the rule in groups" - Nietzsche.Comment
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I'm not sure about some of the items you mentioned, but I know that Studebaker was FAR from the first to have integrated AC outlets in the dash. I think Cadillac had them in the early 1950s and even 1957 Chevrolets could be had from the factory with dash integrated AC outlets. Yes, they're rare, but they were definitely available and look good.
I think you're right about the Avanti roll-bar, though."Madness...is the exception in individuals, but the rule in groups" - Nietzsche.Comment
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Studebaker was also first with an all new post war model, after WW 2..
In regard to the !948 Tucker, disc brakes were planned but, were not put in the actual car.. Too bad Preston Tucker didn't get together with Studebaker back in 1948.. Who knows what that would have done to GM, Ford & Chrysler...Comment
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Studebaker was also first with an all new post war model, after WW 2..
In regard to the !948 Tucker, disc brakes were planned but, were not put in the actual car.. Too bad Preston Tucker didn't get together with Studebaker back in 1948.. Who knows what that would have done to GM, Ford & Chrysler...Comment
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The Crosley "Hot Shot" had disc brakes. I'm not sure what year it was, I believe 1950.
Dick
Mountain Home, AR
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The Crosley "Hot Shot" had disc brakes. I'm not sure what year it was, I believe 1950.
Dick
Mountain Home, AR
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Well, maybe Studebaker can be credited to bringing disc brakes to cars most people would actually consider buying (like a Lark), not on some oddball or exotic or luxury car.
"Madness...is the exception in individuals, but the rule in groups" - Nietzsche.Comment
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Well, maybe Studebaker can be credited to bringing disc brakes to cars most people would actually consider buying (like a Lark), not on some oddball or exotic or luxury car.
"Madness...is the exception in individuals, but the rule in groups" - Nietzsche.Comment
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Well, almost. This is from this web site.quote: Studebaker was also first with an all new post war model, after WW 2..
Studebaker, which in 1947 beat everyone except Kaiser-Fraser in producing a fresh design that looked to the future.
Of course Kaiser was an all new company so You could say that Studebaker was the first of the existing car companies to bring out a new model after WWII
Leonard Shepherd, editor, The Commanding Leader, Central Virginia Chapter, http://centralvirginiachapter.org/
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Well, almost. This is from this web site.quote: Studebaker was also first with an all new post war model, after WW 2..
Studebaker, which in 1947 beat everyone except Kaiser-Fraser in producing a fresh design that looked to the future.
Of course Kaiser was an all new company so You could say that Studebaker was the first of the existing car companies to bring out a new model after WWII
Leonard Shepherd, editor, The Commanding Leader, Central Virginia Chapter, http://centralvirginiachapter.org/
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