CAR NAMES - Studebaker had great model names

[Studedude1961]

Though the name "STUDEBAKER" was pretty staid for the go-go 1960s, a news article on AOL today got me to thinking about car model names and how well Studebaker did with most of their offerings. Champion, Commander, Cruiser, Golden and Gran Turismo Hawk, the Avanti...all great model names.

The AOL article said today automakers will pay individuals up to $50,000 for a snazzy new model name, up considerably from the $95 suit given to the man who thought up the name Thunderbird for Ford.

Some cars are harder than others to name. Ford, once again in the mid 1950s was casting about for a proper name for a whole new car it planned to introduce to bridge the gap between Ford and Mercury. The company thought it might be a wise move to go to a poet for inspiration. That poet, Marianne Moore, thought it would be nice if the new car could be called the UTOPIAN TURTLETOP. Naming car is hard. Ford settled for EDSEL to honor the founder's son and the rest is history.

What was the BEST NAMED Studebaker model in your opinion? And the worst? My vote would be LAND CRUISER for best, STANDARD for worse. The Standard was a stripper Lark introduced for the 1963 year. What do you all think?

Studedude1961
--1963 Cruiser

[lstude]

How about Dictator! [:0]

Leonard Shepherd

http://leonardshepherd.com/

[lstude]

How about Dictator! [:0]

Leonard Shepherd

http://leonardshepherd.com/

[JBOYLE]

For a new "European-style" GT, it's hard to beat Avanti.

Land cruiser and Dictator have a certain presence as well.

Daytona is a great name (Just ask Dodge) for a small car that could deliver performance...better than Chevy II /Nova.

63 Avanti R1 2788
1914 Stutz Bearcat
(George Barris replica)

Washington State

[JBOYLE]

For a new "European-style" GT, it's hard to beat Avanti.

Land cruiser and Dictator have a certain presence as well.

Daytona is a great name (Just ask Dodge) for a small car that could deliver performance...better than Chevy II /Nova.

63 Avanti R1 2788
1914 Stutz Bearcat
(George Barris replica)

Washington State

[Guido]

Scotsman never did much for me (perhaps because I do not wear a kilt).

[Guido]

Scotsman never did much for me (perhaps because I do not wear a kilt).

[Studedude1961]

Dictator was a great name that probably lived too long. By 1935-1936 the name probably didn't help marketing any. Today's version might be the Toyota Terrorist.

Studedude1961
--1963 Cruiser

[Studedude1961]

Dictator was a great name that probably lived too long. By 1935-1936 the name probably didn't help marketing any. Today's version might be the Toyota Terrorist.

Studedude1961
--1963 Cruiser

[lstude]

I was just kidding about Dictator.

I really think Studebaker's best and most enduring name was Champion. People today who know little about Studebakers connect Studebaker with Champion...even the Keystone club used it on their Lark! [:0]



My favorite name was the 32-33 St Regis. Chrysler used it in the mid 50s.

The most confusing name IMO, was Custom. It was the low end model in 50-52, but then they made it the high end sedan model in 63. Most customers and dealers didn't order it. they ordered the Regal, which was a much better name and Buick picked that up.

I have also always liked the Commander State . Don't know what it means but it sounds important.

Leonard Shepherd

http://leonardshepherd.com/

[lstude]

I was just kidding about Dictator.

I really think Studebaker's best and most enduring name was Champion. People today who know little about Studebakers connect Studebaker with Champion...even the Keystone club used it on their Lark! [:0]



My favorite name was the 32-33 St Regis. Chrysler used it in the mid 50s.

The most confusing name IMO, was Custom. It was the low end model in 50-52, but then they made it the high end sedan model in 63. Most customers and dealers didn't order it. they ordered the Regal, which was a much better name and Buick picked that up.

I have also always liked the Commander State . Don't know what it means but it sounds important.

Leonard Shepherd

http://leonardshepherd.com/

[bams50]

I mentioned this a couple years ago... I wonder if their name choices helped hasten their demise? There worst has to be Dictator; but they had Rockne (noble but not attractive); and names like President, Commander, and Scotsman; not cool when they had to compete with Bel Air, Impala, Bonneville, Catalina, even New Yorker; not to mention Mustang[8D] And how about Corvette? I have no idea what that even is, but I like the sound of it! Perception is key in new autos, and they already had "Studebaker" to contend with[B)] Can't believe they didn't see the need to be a little less stodgy when they came out with Provincial to compete with Country Squire, Fiesta, and Caballero[xx(] Yeah, Parkview's better, and Conestoga is neat, but not exciting to younger buyers... this was bad enough that Avanti or even Daytona were too little too late.

When I was a kid, my Dad refused to have any Studebaker on his car lot; nothing to do with the cars, just that they had a huge rep as old people's cars[|)], plus no one wanted an orphan...

'Course, all the things that were quirky and a turn-off back then are what make them so interesting now![^]

Robert (Bob) Andrews Owner- IoMT (Island of Misfit Toys!)
Parish, central NY 13131

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2358680/1

[bams50]

I mentioned this a couple years ago... I wonder if their name choices helped hasten their demise? There worst has to be Dictator; but they had Rockne (noble but not attractive); and names like President, Commander, and Scotsman; not cool when they had to compete with Bel Air, Impala, Bonneville, Catalina, even New Yorker; not to mention Mustang[8D] And how about Corvette? I have no idea what that even is, but I like the sound of it! Perception is key in new autos, and they already had "Studebaker" to contend with[B)] Can't believe they didn't see the need to be a little less stodgy when they came out with Provincial to compete with Country Squire, Fiesta, and Caballero[xx(] Yeah, Parkview's better, and Conestoga is neat, but not exciting to younger buyers... this was bad enough that Avanti or even Daytona were too little too late.

When I was a kid, my Dad refused to have any Studebaker on his car lot; nothing to do with the cars, just that they had a huge rep as old people's cars[|)], plus no one wanted an orphan...

'Course, all the things that were quirky and a turn-off back then are what make them so interesting now![^]

Robert (Bob) Andrews Owner- IoMT (Island of Misfit Toys!)
Parish, central NY 13131

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2358680/1

[Swifster]

I think longevity has a lot to do with it. I think the most recognized name is Commander. I think it says a lot that names that originated with Studebaker was copied by many.

Commander (Jeep)
Daytona (Dodge)
Challenger (Dodge)
St. Regis (Chrysler & Dodge)
Regal (Buick)
Land Cruiser (Toyota)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tom - Valrico, FL

1964 Studebaker Daytona - 289 4V, 4-Speed

[Swifster]

I think longevity has a lot to do with it. I think the most recognized name is Commander. I think it says a lot that names that originated with Studebaker was copied by many.

Commander (Jeep)
Daytona (Dodge)
Challenger (Dodge)
St. Regis (Chrysler & Dodge)
Regal (Buick)
Land Cruiser (Toyota)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tom - Valrico, FL

1964 Studebaker Daytona - 289 4V, 4-Speed