Originally posted by studeclunker
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A valid point about the "up swing." I would prefer if the '56 wagon didn't have the fibreglass fin. The rear of the '54 & '55 looked much nicer IMHO. In fact, since Bess' fins are deteriorating (though admittedly easily fixed), I am considering removing them and enjoying that cleaner line. Being a coward though, my inclination is to fix, rather than remove as that's how the car was produced originally. Hopefully the old girl will be back on the road in a few months. In the meantime I have a Champ that is being silly about stalling out every five minutes, then refusing to start. My suspicion is that something was dumped into the tank.
As to the relaxed check-mark of the Commander Sedan, I kinda like it. The bump in the trim kind of relieves what would otherwise be a rather dull, straight line. Also, it kind of echos the line of the rear wheelwell. So, no objections from me for that. However, on the President, I agree with you. It is a bit much. However, I would gladly have one and thoroughly love everything about it, including the 'blunt spear.' The '56 is my favourite year of Studebakers... Well, mayyyybe the '53 and '54 (which just so happens to have a wagon
) would give '56 a run for the money.
An afterthought:
I like the '57 too, just not the rear. Don't like the tail-lights or the frame around them. Also, the extension to the rear of the Wagon is a turn-off for me. Other than that, the re-styling for '57 was pretty nice and makes the faults with the tail easy to live with. Can't stand the '58s. Even the Packard-bakers were just... ugly. Ah... there I go again, dropping my pants and exposing my opinion.
Sorry about that, but there you have it.
Funny, '53-'54 are a very nice design, '55 don't like the front end, '56 again a very nice design, bracketed by '57 with a rear I don't like... Then topped off with '58 which is ugly from every angle (except the '57-'58 Scotsman which largely keeps the good looks of the '56). After that starts the Larks and I like all of them.
As to the relaxed check-mark of the Commander Sedan, I kinda like it. The bump in the trim kind of relieves what would otherwise be a rather dull, straight line. Also, it kind of echos the line of the rear wheelwell. So, no objections from me for that. However, on the President, I agree with you. It is a bit much. However, I would gladly have one and thoroughly love everything about it, including the 'blunt spear.' The '56 is my favourite year of Studebakers... Well, mayyyybe the '53 and '54 (which just so happens to have a wagon
) would give '56 a run for the money.An afterthought:
I like the '57 too, just not the rear. Don't like the tail-lights or the frame around them. Also, the extension to the rear of the Wagon is a turn-off for me. Other than that, the re-styling for '57 was pretty nice and makes the faults with the tail easy to live with. Can't stand the '58s. Even the Packard-bakers were just... ugly. Ah... there I go again, dropping my pants and exposing my opinion.
Sorry about that, but there you have it.Funny, '53-'54 are a very nice design, '55 don't like the front end, '56 again a very nice design, bracketed by '57 with a rear I don't like... Then topped off with '58 which is ugly from every angle (except the '57-'58 Scotsman which largely keeps the good looks of the '56). After that starts the Larks and I like all of them.
We are in agreement regarding the station wagons. The 1956 models are the nicest looking from the side, and pretty good looking from both the front and rear. The rear overhang of the fenders of the '57 and '58 models, even without the "DeSoto" fins of the "58, do not go well with the sloping back door of the wagons. The1956 wagons are just right, and I believe they got it right with the 64-66 Wagonaires. As for the sedans, the 1957 model is a little cleaner front and side than the 1956, without the extreme overhang of the rear fender, which fits in nicely with the vertical slope of the trunk back end. And for clean design, the Scotsman takes the prize, both for the wagons and sedans. I don't consider the 1958 models anything but "abortions", except for the plain and simple dashboard, and the nice "DeSoto style" hardtop two door. 1958 fins are okay, but the grafted-on dual headlights destroy the car. It probably would be possible to substitute a 1957 front clip on the '58 hardtop, which would make for a nice-looking car.
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