You never know where you'll find one... (1931 Dictator)

[garyash]

While visiting family in Texas, we took a trip to Galveston. The city has been rebuilding since getting hit badly by Hurricane Ike three years ago, but it's still a place to be afraid of big hurricanes. We stopped for a tour of the Moody Mansion, built in 1895 and a survivor of the whopper 1900 hurricane and Ike. With 28,000 sq ft on 4 floors, it's quite a Victorian palace. I even got a pleasant surprise to find a Studebaker there. In a new three-car garage out back is a 1931 Studebaker Dictator coupe with straight 8 engine (body tag 61-Q-1 126) and Startix automatic starting box [in case you stall at a light]. The body and interior have been restored nicely, but the engine is missing some parts, especially water cooling hoses, etc.

During Ike, the ground floor of the house got 5 ft of water and sand. The museum garage hadn't been built yet and the Studebaker, '49 and '53 Cadillacs were someplace else on high ground. If another big storm hits, those cars will be under water for sure.

[mbstude]

Very cool Gary. If you want your own '31 Dictator coupe, I know where a nice one for sale is. (As well as a '31 Prez raodster, '32 Dictator sedan, etc.) Maybe a tow vehicle for the Indy car? <grin>

[Studebaker Wheel]

Very cool Gary. If you want your own '31 Dictator coupe, I know where a nice one for sale is. (As well as a '31 Prez raodster, '32 Dictator sedan, etc.) Maybe a tow vehicle for the Indy car? <grin>

Most every neighborhood has a '31 President roadster somewhere. The coupes are much nicer, and in addition much more scarce! In any event 1932 was the frist year Studebaker used the Stratix system so the Dictator coupe in Gary's post must have been retro-fitted.

[Andy R.]

I was thoroughly intrigued by your description of the Startix Automatic Starting System.
In a search to see how it worked the first item to show up was a NOS (but reconditioned) one sold on eBay recently for $801. Photos include internal wiring.



I'm intrigued how it works. Anyone know?

[Bob Andrews]

As I understand it, the heart of it is a vacuum switch. It's for automatic restarting if one stalls the engine. When the engine stalls and there is no vacuum, the switch closes and activates an electric starter switch. I hear they were problematic, cranking the engine at inopportune times.

That's my low-knowledge description, of course corrections welcome!

[rockne10]

When you turn the key to the run position (there is no start position) current flows to a vacuum switch at the engine manifold. The switch is engaged because there is no vacuum pressure; current continues to the Startix controller, thence to the starter. Once running, manifold vacuum opens the switch, ceasing current flow. If the engine stalls vacuum is lost and the manifold switch re-engages, sending current to the starter.

I have the schematics and service instructions around here somewhere. If needed, send me a PM and I'll start a search of my haunt.

[8E45E]

Most every neighborhood has a '31 President roadster somewhere. The coupes are much nicer, and in addition much more scarce! In any event 1932 was the frist year Studebaker used the Stratix system so the Dictator coupe in Gary's post must have been retro-fitted.

It's not a President, but this one was in MY neighborhood up until a few years ago!!



Craig

[mbstude]

The last I heard, there was only one restored example of a '31 President Coupe extant.

Is it still sitting in your garage, Mr. Quinn?

[(S)]

Love those oldies! This pair hails from Washington.

[Studebaker Wheel]

Love those oldies! This pair hails from Washington.

Well, not quite, one of those is in Niles, Michigan and the other is in Washington. Your photo is a few months old! Like I said there is at least one in everyone's neighborhood!

[Studebaker Wheel]

The last I heard, there was only one restored example of a '31 President Coupe extant.

Is it still sitting in your garage, Mr. Quinn?

I hope so, it was when I checked yesterday.

[jlmccuan]

John Shannahan has the system in a '28 Commander Big Six. Thread on the AACA about it.