58 Hardtops

[luckydog]

Hello, Studebakers are new to me although older cars have been a part of my life, and my family's whether they liked it or not.
I happened across a 57 Commander (with plans of driving it this summer) and I like the body style but after seeing the 58 Hardtop, President or Commander, I am wondering how many are out there or how often they come up for sale.
I could probably find room for a 58 hardtop!
Jay

[57pack]

I'd say their a rare bird, but do come up for sale occasionally.
I've been keeping my eye open for one for years. Being in New Jersey with the humid summers and the salty winters, the survival rate for any 1950's car is low. And giving the low production of 1958 models on the whole because of the recession that year makes finding one tough.
But, I keep looking.

[StudeRich]

What makes them even rarer is that the Hardtop "J" bodies did not get released to the public until mid-production run, probably in 1958.

[studegary]

There were 3846 1958 Studebaker Starlight hardtops built (plus 675 1958 Packard Hardtops).
I can't imagine that there are more than a couple of hundred left in complete and reasonable shape.

[8E45E]

There were 3846 1958 Studebaker Starlight hardtops built (plus 675 1958 Packard Hardtops).

Do the 3846 figure include the Commander J-bodies assembled in Hamilton?

Craig

[studegary]

Do the 3846 figure include the Commander J-bodies assembled in Hamilton?

Craig

It includes 260 Canadian.

[8E45E]

It includes 260 Canadian.

Thanks, Gary,

I know of two surviving Hamilton-built '58 Commander hardtops.

Craig

[57pack]

Read over to the Packard forum that after 50 years about one percent of production would be left.

[studegary]

Read over to the Packard forum that after 50 years about one percent of production would be left.

That is based on average scrappage for "average" high production cars. Look how far that (7) would be off for 1964 Studebaker convertibles and how close my estimate was (125). I will still say 150-200 remaining (not all driver/show cars) of the 1958 Starlights. One percent after 50 years would be saying that less than 46 Studebaker Avantis would still exist. We know that number is way off.

[Buzzard]

Anyone hazard a guess as to how many '57 Clipper Wagons remain?
Bill

[luckydog]

Many years ago when I first saw a photo of a Tucker(Tad Burness Auto Album when I was about 12) I wanted one it took a few years for me to realize the likelihood of that happening but looks like I have a better chance of finding a 58 hardtop.
Station Wagons seem to be coming out of the woodwork, lots more mid-fifties Chrysler wagons on ebay than I thought would still be around, and a lot fewer Studebaker sedans of the mid fifties than I thought would be available.
We have a 48 Chrysler New Yorker Two-Door Sedan 1 of 545 built, I would like to know how many are still out there it has to be one of the most ungainly cars ever built and doubt if many were saved on purpose, only by accident.

We are getting some snow here in Northeast PA but I think spring is close as there is lots of bird activity here lately.
Jay

[57pack]

Love your Chrysler! We had a 1948 Chrysler Highlander as a second car when I was a kid. Loved that plaid interior, and that maroon and chrome dashboard was a feast for the eyes! Car drove and rode like a dream. Great memories of riding around with my Mom driving and I always fell asleep in that ginormous rear seat.

[8E45E]

Many years ago when I first saw a photo of a Tucker(Tad Burness Auto Album when I was about 12)

I bet it was this one you saw...



Craig

[StudeRich]

/Cut/We have a 48 Chrysler New Yorker Two-Door Sedan 1 of 545 built, I would like to know how many are still out there it has to be one of the most ungainly cars ever built and doubt if many were saved on purpose, only by accident.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]41601[/ATTACH]Jay

That thing looks like it could have an I 16 under the hood!

[5859]

I'm sorry to say, but the 50's sedans in general have been abused by a good number of people for so long that it is no surprise there are not many of them available now. It was not all that long ago that you would find more Studebaker people who did not appreciate them than did. At least that is the way I see it. I have 3 58 hardtops in various states of repair, 2 Commanders and a President. They are out there, most of the ones I see that come up for sale online are either very nice and expensive or pretty rough. I am always looking for them though and would like to have a few more.