the '58 President sees its shadow...

[53k]

...for maybe the first time in 30 years.
For the past few months I have been helping Torrey Kirby's family sell his cars. Most are gone now. However, there was a '58 President four-door in the last bay of his garage that was so burried in parts and a bunch of other stuff that I couldn't get a good look at it. The problem was compounded by the garage door being such that it couldn't be opened. However, finally the son-in-law succeeded in getting it open. I went over last Thursday and helped move fenders and a bunch of other stuff so we could try to inflate the tires. They all inflated (one went back down) so I hooked the car to my truck and we pulled the car out in the daylight.
The Prez turned out to be a very solid, original, complete car- usual sheet metal rust, but almost rust-free floors. It has a/t, power steering and Twin Traction, radio delete and no clock. I tried to turn the engine with the fan with no luck, but I think it is OK. Sometime in the near term I will try to start it. It's going to a project, but well worth saving- will go on eBay when we make some progress on it. Unfortunately I forget to check the odometer miles.

[RadioRoy]

And it has twin traction, too!

[BobGlasscock]

And maybe a twin --

[Roscomacaw]

Have to wonder if there's ANYthing left beneath those fins. Of course, NO ONE foresaw this car lasting for 55 years!

[53k]

Have to wonder if there's ANYthing left beneath those fins. Of course, NO ONE foresaw this car lasting for 55 years!

It obviously sat out for some time before it was garaged. Trunk didn't want to open with the key so I don't have an answer. Next time over there I will get it open.

[StudeRich]

Quote 53K Paul Johnson: "The Prez turned out to be a very solid, original, complete car- usual sheet metal rust, but almost rust-free floors."

I guess East Coast Residents have more of a different opinion of good solid restorable Cars than I thought, being a West Coast person!
My '58 Pres. similar to it, might cost me only $8000.00 to 10,000.00 to Rebuild the Engine, Paint it and replace the Headliner on a Car that has 50,000 Miles in Southern Calif., no rust, straight body and Garaged for 44 years.

This Car is looking like about $20-25,000 away from being in the same condition. About 5 times what it will be worth.

[mbstude]

This Car is looking like about $20-25,000 away from being in the same condition. About 5 times what it will be worth.

Where could I find a nicely restored President sedan for $5K?

[Mrs K Corbin]

Sold the commander I was driving for $2500.... LOL

[kurtruk]

HEY...is that the Twin Traction decal above the ignition switch recently the subject of another thread here??? (Pic #5)

[Roscomacaw]

I actually think it's from someone stabbing the key towards the switch - or maybe having a ring on their fingers. I've never understood why they made the left hand operate the ignition switch in some years.

[StudeDave57]

Something like...


maybe?

[skyway]

"I've never understood why they made the left hand operate the ignition switch in some years."

Always thought it was a matter of keeping driver's controls away from the passengers.
Kinda like Mopar push buttons?.

[Roscomacaw]

"I've never understood why they made the left hand operate the ignition switch in some years."

Always thought it was a matter of keeping driver's controls away from the passengers.
Kinda like Mopar push buttons?.

That may be - but they sure had a hard time sticking to one way or the other!

Dave - I will concede that it looks like the 58 bears remnants of the decal's adhesive. Honestly, the first time (your 57) I've seen that. And I've seen a bunch of this era cars (and trucks - and my 57 Transtar DID have a TT sticker on it's dash when I first got it).

[StudeRich]

Those interested in info on the TT stickers can learn from this other post:

http://forum.studebakerdriversclub.com/showthread.php?66129-Twin-Traction-dash-decal

[Chris_Dresbach]

I guess I've never noticed the left handed key issue on those models. On my '40 it takes two hand to start the car. The ignition key is on the right side of the steering wheel and all it does is act as a kill switch and runs the fuel pump and all other electrical componets, but will not start the car. There is a push button near the top left corner of the dash for that, which I know is incorrect. On those models that button should be on the floor and triggered by completely pressing on the clutch, but that scares me because I tend to push the clutch to the floor when I drive that car. My only assumption as to why the key is on the left is because the shifter is on the right; the reason I say that is because of my own experience I have a habit of turning the key and then holding the shifter with my right and then starting the car. Even with the clutch in, this ensures I'm starting the car in neutral. Just a guess.