Studes in Roadside Americana photos

[r1lark]

Is this perhaps Bob Palma and George Krem in their younger days, dreaming of infiltrating the Studebaker factory assembly lines?

[jclary]

Tom, I think that is a more recent photo than in the 1950s. The young man's clothes and hair suggest possibly a 1960s or 1970s photo, still very much appropriate for this thread, but not as old as the car itself. For that reason, the car has probably been made over at least once; notice no script on the front fender, and the stainless-steel trim rings look a little too new as well.

So, chances are pretty good that it "lost" whatever mud guards were on the doors along the way. BP

I agree with Bob on this one. And, I will add that those bell bottom jeans narrows the decade to the 1970's. About those rubber mud guards...they are probably one of the greatest rust incubators ever used on a car. (This is not limited to just Studebaker) The way those and similar guards were attached, simply screwed on, no real seal, allowed moisture holding dirt to gather behind the guard. Perhaps they work great preventing stone chipping of the paint, but it don't take long for rust to take hold, burn, and eat away the metal.

[8E45E]

Tom, I think that is a more recent photo than in the 1950s. The young man's clothes and hair suggest possibly a 1960s or 1970s photo, still very much appropriate for this thread, but not as old as the car itself. For that reason, the car has probably been made over at least once; notice no script on the front fender, and the stainless-steel trim rings look a little too new as well. So, chances are pretty good that it "lost" whatever mud guards were on the doors along the way.

I'm in full agreement there.

I wonder if that Champion is in California, or someplace where the local climate was very favorable to steel, and still being used as a 'daily driver' as it would have only been around 25 years of age, then. It has the appearance of being 'maintained' with a possible repaint; not a restoration, where those rubber stone guards and the scripts probably would have been replaced, as NOS was available then. I wonder if this car survives.

Craig

[aarrggh]

[Studedude]

[BobPalma]

Is this perhaps Bob Palma and George Krem in their younger days, dreaming of infiltrating the Studebaker factory assembly lines?

I'm not sure either one of us ever had that much hair, Paul, but I appreciate the thought! BP

[Blue 15G]

One could just drool over all these new models awaiting a home,I don't see even one wagon though.

That's because these are 1953 cars and there were no Station Wagons until 1954.

[BobPalma]

That 1961 Plymouth Fury convertible in the lower right is a rare car, Dave; one of only 6,948 built...against 44,614 1961 Ford Sunliners and 64,624 1961 Impala convertibles! BP

[63t-cab]

For some reason I had My mind set on these being 54s, right about no 53 Wagons.

That's because these are 1953 cars and there were no Station Wagons until 1954.

[Studedude]

That 1961 Plymouth Fury convertible in the lower right is a rare car, Dave; one of only 6,948 built...against 44,614 1961 Ford Sunliners and 64,624 1961 Impala convertibles! BP

Yep, I liked that picture so much with the other rare cars, I was proud to see the Lark there, so I could post it.

[garyash]

Note that the Fury is parked next to what appears to be a 1961/1962 Dodge Lancer (seems to be 5 letters on the trunk lid), the short-lived variant of the Plymouth Valiant. It's doubly interesting because the photo post just above it shows a white Valiant station wagon. When was the last time anyone saw a Valiant or Lancer on the road or even at a car show?

For what it's worth, at the Ocean Bay Chapter "Octoberfest" meet today (10/24/2016, see SN60's post today for photos) in Brookline, Mass., there was a 2R5 truck with a Mopar slant 6 and turbocharger. It was even for sale! Interesting vehicle.

[8E45E]

When was the last time anyone saw a Valiant or Lancer on the road or even at a car show?

I did see a 1961 first generation Valiant 2-door hardtop at a car show here about four years ago. I have not seen a Lancer as they were never marketed in Canada.

Craig

[JRoberts]

[JRoberts]

[JRoberts]