Several of us predicted some time ago that estate sales of Studebakers were not too far on the horizon. It looks like we are getting there. Besides individual sales and eBay sales, September Turning Wheels has ads for three estate auctions with Studebakers.
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Gary L.
Wappinger, NY
SDC member since 1968
Studebaker enthusiast much longer -
This is just the beginning. Go to any Stude meet, look at the average age of those still attending and then think about who's not there - start asking. "Whatever happened to old so-and-so" and "Remember the guy with all the pre-war cars?" Gonna be lots of Studes for sale in the next few years.
jack vinesPackardV8 -
Thr trouble is there won't be as many buyers to buy them .sigpic
Home of the Fried Green Tomato
"IF YOU WANT THE SMILES YOU NEED TO DO THE MILES "
1960 Champ , 1966 Daytona , 1965 Daytona WagonaireComment
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The number of prayer requests is on the rise, too. Not good.
TerryComment
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Sad but true. But, it's the natural order of things.
The extinction of the SDC, and even the entire marque, has been predicted by some as well. I disagree. I think there will always be young folks coming up that will fall for Studes, as well as older folks that discover them later in life and fall in love (me, for example).
Studebakers as a brand will never be nearly as popular as the Big 3. Some are attracted to that fact in itself (again, me exactly). I've had at least one of all the "popular" brands, and still love them, just want something different. And, there will always be more like me coming along.
It's only natural that nothing- and nobody- lasts forever. There will always be Studebaker lovers; how many is anybody's guess, and therefore future demand, and therefore values, is also hard to say. But I think there will be enough lovers to occupy the surviving driver's seats, plus the multitude of yet-to-be-discovered examples
Proud NON-CASO
I do not prize the word "cheap." It is not a badge of honor...it is a symbol of despair. ~ William McKinley
If it is decreed that I should go down, then let me go down linked with the truth - let me die in the advocacy of what is just and right.- Lincoln
GOD BLESS AMERICA
Ephesians 6:10-17
Romans 15:13
Deuteronomy 31:6
Proverbs 28:1
Illegitimi non carborundumComment
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It is a truism of the new and used car business - every car always sells, you just have to find the right buyer and the right price. However, the value of older cars goes up and then down. Since Studes never went up very far, they don't have any downside room.There will always be Studebaker lovers; how many is anybody's guess, and therefore future demand, and therefore values
Along with Studebakers, back when, I was involved in Ford Model A Clubs. The value of the typical restored Model A peaked in constant dollars around 1963. They still sell for good money today, but they were worth the most when the guys who were there when they were new got toward retirement and had a few bucks.
The same phenomenon occurred with first-generation Ford Mustangs. They were the most expensive 10-20 years ago.
Studes will always find a buyer, but in constant, inflation-adjusted dollars, I'm betting they won't ever be worth a lot more than they are today.
jack vinesPackardV8Comment
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In the late-1960s to early-1970s, the large, local AACA meet had a row of Model Ts, a row of open Model As and a row of closed Model As. Now there might be one or two total.Originally posted by PackardV8 View PostGary L.
Wappinger, NY
SDC member since 1968
Studebaker enthusiast much longerComment
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All the more reason to protect the marque. If someone modifies the car a little or it isn't 100% original or to you liking........bite your tongue and complement them on what you do like about their car. It goes a long way.Comment
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The market is currently not good for all collector cars. Here in Manitoba there is little interest in Stude's The club has almost the same members since 1982 when I joined. Some now come in walkers. Last year five nice restorable 1948-55 cars when to the crusher, even a 1953 Coupe. No buyers. My collection of a 53 sedan, 2-56 sedans, 57 president, a 63 wagon and a 65 wagon will likely soon suffer the same fate. A 1952 Starliner HT is being auctioned off on Sunday. Hopefully, it will also not find the same fate.
T-cabComment
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Indeed. Just went to an estate sale preview last Friday. There wasn't anything there that I couldn't live without so didn't go back on Sunday. The deceased was a long time member of the SDC and Southern Oregon Chapter. As was said, the natural order of things.Dean
CLEM
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I've been involved in antiques in general for many years. Estate goods and estate sales are just another marketing devise. Everything I own is part of my estate, I can choose to sell it at any time and call it an estate sale. It seems that the term has now become part of the automotive markets, too.
Of course folks are going to change their interests, some coming, some going. It will balance out in the future.Comment
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Personal thought: the best thing we can do to protect and promote the marque (against the attrition wreaked on us by Father Time) is to drive our cars. I'm amazed at the amount of attention my plain little Lark with its dead paint gets every single time I drive it.
Yesterday I pulled up to a Starbucks and had a 15-minute conversation with a lady who complimented the car, recognized it as a Stude, and asked where she could get one! This led to a conversation about the marque, the SDC, the availability of parts and cars, and her stated interest in acquiring a Lark.
Our cars are unique and appealing. If we expose them, we'll attract new Studeophiles.Comment
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One of the most fun things about driving Bess is the compliments she gets. Even as rough as the old lady looks, people still love her.
If all those cars are coming up for sale, I need to either get a really, really good job or win the lottery!
T-cab, one problem with Canadian cars is that they reside in Canada. No offense, but the shipping is a problem for CASOs like me. I have to be cheap though. Often a dollar has to do the work of ten or I'm in deep trouble, LOL!
Still, it just makes me sick to hear of Studebakers getting crushed because of lack of interest. All the same, I can only do a little for my part, and there I must leave it.
Home of the famous Mr. Ed!
K.I.S.S. Keep It Simple Studebaker!
Ron Smith
Where the heck is Fawn Lodge, CA?Comment
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I too am in total agreement. I have been a member of both the Vintage Car Club of Canada and the SDC. And yes the members are getting older and the desire for the real old cars seems to be getting less & less these days. I am looking for a 1936 Ford Roadster as the last car I plan to build for myself. My plan is to buy a fully restored on from an estate sale of a person who has had the car since the early 70's . I have done the math....these will be coming available in the next couple of years at very affordable prices.
BrianBrian Woods
woodysrods@shaw.ca
1946 M Series (Shop Truck)
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I agree totally, Bob. This is life and life tends to balance things out, in spite of our best efforts. SDC claims to be the largest one make club in the world. Whether it is or not is moot. Membership in any club is always fluid and SDC is no different. I can't see it going away for a very long time, if ever.Originally posted by Bob Andrews View PostSad but true. But, it's the natural order of things.
The extinction of the SDC, and even the entire marque, has been predicted by some as well. I disagree. I think there will always be young folks coming up that will fall for Studes, as well as older folks that discover them later in life and fall in love (me, for example).
Studebakers as a brand will never be nearly as popular as the Big 3. Some are attracted to that fact in itself (again, me exactly). I've had at least one of all the "popular" brands, and still love them, just want something different. And, there will always be more like me coming along.
It's only natural that nothing- and nobody- lasts forever. There will always be Studebaker lovers; how many is anybody's guess, and therefore future demand, and therefore values, is also hard to say. But I think there will be enough lovers to occupy the surviving driver's seats, plus the multitude of yet-to-be-discovered examples
The club that lays claim to being the oldest one make club in the world is the Jowett Car Club. In 2013 it will be 90 years old. Like Studebaker, when compared to the likes of English Ford, Vauxhall, Austin, Hillman, etc., Jowett could hardly be called a high volume auto maker. Also like Studebaker, Jowett was an innovator, not afraid to be different. The last Jowett was made in 1954, but the club still has a strong international following.
I have always been attracted to the the independent auto makers, just because they weren't part of the Big 3. In this part of the world, Studebakers were easier to come by than Packards, Nashes or Hudsons. Based on that fact alone, I became a Studebaker owner 44 years ago(my 27 Dictator).
Membership in the BC Coastal Chapter peaked at about 80 probably 35 years ago - the BCCC was formed in 1968 and is, to the best of my knowledge, the oldest SDC chapter in Canada. I am the last remaining charter member. In the intervening years I have seen a lot of people come and go. Club membership since has remained relatively static at 45-50. In this case static is not necessarily a bad thing.
TerryComment
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