1942 President Skyway sedan

[Studebaker Wheel]

There were 1663 Land Cruisers built of which 1212 were like the subject car, that is a Skyway with the body symbol B7. It was actually the highest production '42 President body style and trim level.

[studeski]

Bob,
Last time I saw one in the dirt like that half the frame was gone. It was a 1960 hardtop.

[qsanford]

There were 1663 Land Cruisers built of which 1212 were like the subject car, that is a Skyway with the body symbol B7. It was actually the highest production '42 President body style and trim level.

That is an outstanding body style. Imagine how many could have been sold if Pearl Harbor hadn't intervened!

[qsanford]

This one needs to be saved,IMHO.It's in the same yard as the Lark convert but I would prefer not to part it out.Complete except for wheels/tires and a rear window.My guess is the floors are toast but there are a lot of good parts there or a relatively rare car to restore.The banjo steering wheel is a neat feature.I have not asked the owner for a complete car price yet but my guesstimate would be in the $500-600 range.If nobody wants it whole I'll buy it and put it in long term inside storage.I'm going to post it on the ASC and AACA forums in the next few days.Send me a note if interested.

I wonder what other year wheels would fit this gem?

[Commander55]

It should have 15" rims (7.00x15 tires). I'd imagine that '53 - '55 Commander wheels (6.70x15 tires) would fit just perfect and would accept a Stude hubcap. Good luck finding any '42 President hub caps. In all the years that I've had mine, I've found exactly ONE.
I'll try one of my '55 Commander wheels on the '42 if I get a chance this week and let you know (I've been meaning to do that anyway).

[qsanford]

I was thinking the car might be more tempting to someone if it rolled! Thanks for the info.

[bob40]

I know where I can get a complete rear end with springs and figured it would have to be installed to make loading easier

[62champ]

It should have 15" rims (7.00x15 tires). I'd imagine that '53 - '55 Commander wheels (6.70x15 tires) would fit just perfect and would accept a Stude hubcap. Good luck finding any '42 President hub caps. In all the years that I've had mine, I've found exactly ONE.
I'll try one of my '55 Commander wheels on the '42 if I get a chance this week and let you know (I've been meaning to do that anyway).

Kind of a guess, but I think these "higher end" cars used the same wheel as the trucks did. Someone with knowledge will chime in.

Redone, the car could look something like this one in Gettysburg a few years back...

[qsanford]

What an elegant car! I guess it is not a Skyway due to the trim along the side? Thanks for posting the photos.

[qsanford]

I have a '42 President that was a miltary staff car assigned to the LANL (Los Alamos Nuclear Laboratory) during the Manhattan Project. I tell everyone that when the lights are off in my shop that it glows in the dark. The car came to me in Olive Drab color, with a white star on the rear doors and serial numbers stenciled on each side of the hood. Pretty interesting vehicle as the bright work wasn't painted over like on most other military cars and trucks. Who knows, it may have been General Leslie Groves' staff car while the secret project was underway???

I wonder if the Minnesota President may have been a Naval Staff Car? It seems to be painted one solid color (Navy Gray) rather than the usual two tone of the Skyway Series. I believe there is a Naval presence on the Great Lakes. On second thought, would a vehicle of this stature have been painted the more formal Navy Blue? Just a thought.

[58PackardWagon]

It would cost a fortune to restore this car.

[Guido]

It would cost a fortune to restore this car.

I think that argument could be made about virtually any car...