Production order question

[lstude]

quote:Bob, its kind of an interesting way the marketing people do things, and not only at Studebaker. The Regal was the top-of-the-line trim on most Studebakers in the late forties, and by 1963, it was the lowest level of trim; at least until the Standard came out. Remember in the early to mid fifties, the Bel-Air was the top model Chevrolet. Then the Impala came out in 1958, and the Caprice in mid 1965. By 1981, the Bel-Air was the el-strippo base model of the full-size B-body Chevrolet line. (the Biscayne was discontinued by then).

Craig

Many manufacturers lowered a name by upstaging it with a new series name, but not many took a low line name and made it a high line name. In mid-year 1950, Studebaker introduced the Champion Custom which was a stripped down version of the Champion. It was the lowest trim level. In 63, they made the Custom the highest trim level for sedans. I think many dealers were confused and kept on ordering Regals as they had been used to doing. I think the Regal outsold the Custom in 63.

Leonard Shepherd, editor, The Commanding Leader, Central Virginia Chapter, http://centralvirginiachapter.org/

[lstude]

quote:Bob, its kind of an interesting way the marketing people do things, and not only at Studebaker. The Regal was the top-of-the-line trim on most Studebakers in the late forties, and by 1963, it was the lowest level of trim; at least until the Standard came out. Remember in the early to mid fifties, the Bel-Air was the top model Chevrolet. Then the Impala came out in 1958, and the Caprice in mid 1965. By 1981, the Bel-Air was the el-strippo base model of the full-size B-body Chevrolet line. (the Biscayne was discontinued by then).

Craig

Many manufacturers lowered a name by upstaging it with a new series name, but not many took a low line name and made it a high line name. In mid-year 1950, Studebaker introduced the Champion Custom which was a stripped down version of the Champion. It was the lowest trim level. In 63, they made the Custom the highest trim level for sedans. I think many dealers were confused and kept on ordering Regals as they had been used to doing. I think the Regal outsold the Custom in 63.

Leonard Shepherd, editor, The Commanding Leader, Central Virginia Chapter, http://centralvirginiachapter.org/

[8E45E]

In 63, they made the Custom the highest trim level for sedans.

Actually, you forgot about the Cruiser, which was the top of the line. If there was any consistency the Cruiser was it. The Land Cruiser was the top-line Studebaker until the President name was revived in '55, and then in '61 the Cruiser remained the top line sedan right to the end.

Craig

[8E45E]

In 63, they made the Custom the highest trim level for sedans.

Actually, you forgot about the Cruiser, which was the top of the line. If there was any consistency the Cruiser was it. The Land Cruiser was the top-line Studebaker until the President name was revived in '55, and then in '61 the Cruiser remained the top line sedan right to the end.

Craig

[Guido]

quote:Originally posted by 8E45E
(the Biscayne was discontinued by then).

Thank goodness! When the transmission went out on our '55 Buick Special my parents replaced it with a brand new 1966 4 door Biscayne. It was an ugly blue, smelled awful and was equipped with a 230 six and three on the tree. [xx(][xx(]. Quite the upgrade when they got a 1970 Mercury Montego with 351 Cleveland and AC. []


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.

[Guido]

quote:Originally posted by 8E45E
(the Biscayne was discontinued by then).

Thank goodness! When the transmission went out on our '55 Buick Special my parents replaced it with a brand new 1966 4 door Biscayne. It was an ugly blue, smelled awful and was equipped with a 230 six and three on the tree. [xx(][xx(]. Quite the upgrade when they got a 1970 Mercury Montego with 351 Cleveland and AC. []


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.

[63larkcustom]

My grandfather used to tell the story how he followed his 57 through the factory, he was a metal finisher in dept 308, and it ended up with a higher interior trim level than it was supposed to. I'm not sure if this was the norm for the workers to track their cars like this..but i know in his case he did. The car was a champion and it got the president interior.. somewhere I'm sure someone in the family has pictures of the car.

Bob Sporner
Palm Springs, California

[63larkcustom]

My grandfather used to tell the story how he followed his 57 through the factory, he was a metal finisher in dept 308, and it ended up with a higher interior trim level than it was supposed to. I'm not sure if this was the norm for the workers to track their cars like this..but i know in his case he did. The car was a champion and it got the president interior.. somewhere I'm sure someone in the family has pictures of the car.

Bob Sporner
Palm Springs, California

[63larkcustom]

Well... looks like the mystery is solved on option 80. In this turning wheels, the Fred Bartz letters talked about how early in the run this option package was made standard. The vin on my car is 63s1668 which explains the weird options setup on the production order.

[63larkcustom]

Well... looks like the mystery is solved on option 80. In this turning wheels, the Fred Bartz letters talked about how early in the run this option package was made standard. The vin on my car is 63s1668 which explains the weird options setup on the production order.

[JDP]

If you worked at Studebaker and walked your car down the line and talked to your buddies as you went, you did not need to pay for options. Also free, were any parts or trim that would fit in your lunch box. The was the one day you did want to have a friend punch in for you and go fishing. Many estate sales in South Bend tend to have a few dozen fancy emblems for example.

JDP/Maryland
64 Daytona HT/R2 clone
64 GT R2
63 Lark 2 door
58 Scotsman
52 & 53 Starliner
51 Commander
39 Coupe express
39 Coupe express (rod)

[JDP]

If you worked at Studebaker and walked your car down the line and talked to your buddies as you went, you did not need to pay for options. Also free, were any parts or trim that would fit in your lunch box. The was the one day you did want to have a friend punch in for you and go fishing. Many estate sales in South Bend tend to have a few dozen fancy emblems for example.

JDP/Maryland
64 Daytona HT/R2 clone
64 GT R2
63 Lark 2 door
58 Scotsman
52 & 53 Starliner
51 Commander
39 Coupe express
39 Coupe express (rod)

[A1956GoldenHawk]

quote:Originally posted by JDP

If you worked at Studebaker and walked your car down the line and talked to your buddies as you went, you did not need to pay for options. <snip>

No doubt Studebaker wanted its employees to buy & drive the cars they built. What if Studebaker wanted to give THEIR employees more than just the industry's standard "employee discount?" What if Studebaker remained true to their motto and actually did want ...to give more than they promised

[A1956GoldenHawk]

quote:Originally posted by JDP

If you worked at Studebaker and walked your car down the line and talked to your buddies as you went, you did not need to pay for options. <snip>

No doubt Studebaker wanted its employees to buy & drive the cars they built. What if Studebaker wanted to give THEIR employees more than just the industry's standard "employee discount?" What if Studebaker remained true to their motto and actually did want ...to give more than they promised