Agree or Disagree~~~here we are in 2012 and the most Modern looking Studebaker is...

[Son O Lark]

Only true if you consider a Zip Van a Studebaker.

[DEEPNHOCK]

A Zip Van is most certainly a Studebaker.
What do you mean by saying that?
Just curious.

Only true if you consider a Zip Van a Studebaker.

[8E45E]

A Zip Van is most certainly a Studebaker.
What do you mean by saying that?
Just curious.

In all honesty, Jeff, the Zip Van was actually a Postal Service design, with slight modifications by the winning bidder to build them, which was Studebaker. This included the familiar instrument cluster, steering wheel, etc. The body itself as we know was supplied by Met-Pro from Pennsylvania, and since it was a U.S. government commissioned project, they dictated the body HAD to be made in a certain area of PA as unemployment was high at the time. There was a good article in TW about that some time ago.

Craig

[Son O Lark]

Was the Excaliber prototype a Stude? Are the later Avanti's considered Corvettes or T-Birds? Just because you use a (fill in the blank)chassis, does that make the whole vehicle a (fill in the blank) make or model? If you put a '32 Ford coupe body on a custom chassis is it a custom or a Ford? It just depends on your definition of a make.

[8E45E]

Was the Excaliber prototype a Stude? Are the later Avanti's considered Corvettes or T-Birds? Just because you use a (fill in the blank)chassis, does that make the whole vehicle a (fill in the blank) make or model? If you put a '32 Ford coupe body on a custom chassis is it a custom or a Ford?

Ask your insurace agent next time you have to insure one. Some may recall there was a huge debate amongst insurers back in the seventies when there were all kinds of kits available for Volkswagen Beetle chassis, be it a Dune Buggy kit, or a Bradley GT or a 1931 Alfa Romeo knockoff. Some still insisted it was a VW regardless what it had for a body, and some said it was now a 'sports car' in the case of the Bradley GT.

Craig

[Gunslinger]

With my 2002 Avanti the insurance company accepts it as an Avanti. The state of Maryland registers it as an Avanti but when it goes to emissions testing the VIN comes up as a Firebird. It hasn't caused problems. There are some states that have registration issues with it. I believe at least one Avanti owner had big problems taking an Avanti from Arizona to California (or the reverse...can't remember for sure which) and having it registered. Different states have different procedures or are at least very unfriendly to resolving issues beyond their limited comprehension of certain automobiles.

[Flashback]

I thought we we only supposed to vote to agree or disagree, but looks like opinions are being voiced. I already disagreed, BUT, I will voice my opinion. A zip van is about as modern as a pot bellied stove. There is only one clear choise. The 53 coupe.

[Son O Lark]

With my 2002 Avanti the insurance company accepts it as an Avanti. The state of Maryland registers it as an Avanti but when it goes to emissions testing the VIN comes up as a Firebird. It hasn't caused problems. There are some states that have registration issues with it. I believe at least one Avanti owner had big problems taking an Avanti from Arizona to California (or the reverse...can't remember for sure which) and having it registered. Different states have different procedures or are at least very unfriendly to resolving issues beyond their limited comprehension of certain automobiles.

Which brings up another question---- How are most Stude chassised Zip-Vans registered?

[DEEPNHOCK]

I am really surprised to see you take this stance...
Stude 6 cylinder engine... Stude (B/W) trans...Stude (Dana) diff... Stude beam axle... Stude Steering...Stude gauge cluster...
Met Pro only supplied the initial body's and then it (assembly) was moved to South Bend.
A Zip Van is as much Studebaker as any Studebaker built from 1852 on....
So a WWII Deuce and a half is not a Stude?
I don't get it....

In all honesty, Jeff, the Zip Van was actually a Postal Service design, with slight modifications by the winning bidder to build them, which was Studebaker. This included the familiar instrument cluster, steering wheel, etc. The body itself as we know was supplied by Met-Pro from Pennsylvania, and since it was a U.S. government commissioned project, they dictated the body HAD to be made in a certain area of PA as unemployment was high at the time. There was a good article in TW about that some time ago.

Craig

[8E45E]

I am really surprised to see you take this stance...
Stude 6 cylinder engine... Stude (B/W) trans...Stude (Dana) diff... Stude beam axle... Stude Steering...Stude gauge cluster...
Met Pro only supplied the initial body's and then it (assembly) was moved to South Bend.
A Zip Van is as much Studebaker as any Studebaker built from 1852 on....
So a WWII Deuce and a half is not a Stude?
I don't get it....

LOL, Jeff,

I will admit a Zip-Van is more of a 'Studebaker' than a '57-'58 Packard is a 'Packard'!

It would be interesting to count up the 'Studebaker content' in components and labor to see what percentage it is. And when new, you or I could not walk into a Studebaker dealer and order one.

Craig

[Santosh]

Here it is: Lark



http://www.foxnews.com/leisure

[JeffDeWitt]

Is this one included, it's the latest design.

http://www.rodauthority.com/news/the...ey-aint-pretty

Umm....



I wouldn't include that, especially as it looks like something fell on the front.

[Chrycoman]

I am another that agrees the Avanti is the most modern looking Studebaker. No other car design has held up as well for such a long period of time, which is 50 years in 2012.

If Raymond Loewy's Studebaker proposals in 1962 had made it into production (for 1965), it too would be up there. Looking at the curved glass, tumblehome, and coke bottle side treatment, it would have done Studebaker well right into the mid-1970's. And done well in today's used bar of soap designs. The proposed desgin would not be using much, if anything, from the Lark body given its lower cowl and belt line and thus the two years plus needed to tool it for production.

And there is Studebaker's underated and ignored 1953 Studebaker sedan design, The sedans pale in comparison to the coupes, yes, but compare the sedans with the Chevrolet, Ford and Plymouth sedans of 1953-54 - clean, flowing lines, lower and longer looking. It's not until 1956-57 that the 1953 sedans start to look dated.

[edpjr]

Avanti. I wanted one for 35 years before I got it. People that never heard of Studebaker ask me all the time if mine is a 70s, 80s or newer model car.

[JimsLeadCommander]

I have my opinion too but, I'm wondering .......will the owner of this thread tell us the answer to his inquiry? And when?