Interesting Reflection

[BobPalma]

While doing some research on 1951 Studebakers for Hemmings, I ran across the following quote from Fred Fox regarding 1950 Studebakers. It appeared in the December 1985 Turning Wheels:

"In 1950, Studebaker had close to 21,000 employees working in South Bend. The old factory hummed like a giant bee hive. Today, as one walks past the silent buildings, it is hard to realize that 35 [now 56!] years ago, one thousand pointy-nosed cars came flowing out of the factory every working day." [:0]

Yep, it's hard to envision that, Fred! [V] BP

[mbstude]

I knew they built a lot of cars in 1950, but WOW, that's s LOT! I'm having trouble even imagining what that many '50 Studes would look like all lined up in rows... []

[mbstude]

I knew they built a lot of cars in 1950, but WOW, that's s LOT! I'm having trouble even imagining what that many '50 Studes would look like all lined up in rows... []

[raprice]

If memory serves me correctly, 1950 was Studebaker's best sales year ever. Am I correct?
Rog
'59 Lark VI Regal Hardtop

[raprice]

If memory serves me correctly, 1950 was Studebaker's best sales year ever. Am I correct?
Rog
'59 Lark VI Regal Hardtop

[mbstude]

Yes, 1950 was Studebaker's biggest sales year.

[mbstude]

Yes, 1950 was Studebaker's biggest sales year.

[showbizkid]

Langworth shows 343,000 cars produced in 1950. '51 was second with 268,000. Only 138,000 '59s were produced.


[img=left]http://members.cox.net/clarknovak/lark.gif[/img=left]

Clark in San Diego
'63 F2/Lark Standard
http://studeblogger.blogspot.com

[showbizkid]

Langworth shows 343,000 cars produced in 1950. '51 was second with 268,000. Only 138,000 '59s were produced.


[img=left]http://members.cox.net/clarknovak/lark.gif[/img=left]

Clark in San Diego
'63 F2/Lark Standard
http://studeblogger.blogspot.com

[BobPalma]

Model-year production figures for bullet-nose Studebakers are:

1950: 343,164 []
1951: 268,565 [^]

Total Bullet-Nose Production: 611,729

(Source: Fred Fox, April 2001 Turning Wheels)

[BobPalma]

Model-year production figures for bullet-nose Studebakers are:

1950: 343,164 []
1951: 268,565 [^]

Total Bullet-Nose Production: 611,729

(Source: Fred Fox, April 2001 Turning Wheels)

[Scott]

That gets me to thinking. It seems that back in the 1950s people were really willing to go out a limb stylistically and be different. I don't see that at ALL anymore. I can't think of any mass produced car today that really sticks out like a lot of 1950s cars did even when they were new. A few, like the Pontiac Solstice are different in a way, but not really stylistically adventurous like the bullet noses or the Loewy models or even the 1959 Cadillac were in their day.

The Aztec was a bit adventurous and we all know how the throngs did NOT beat a path to the nearest Pontiac dealership to buy one.

BUT, apparently there were hundreds of thousands of people in those days that didn't mind, or even liked it, if their car was on the edge of the stylistic norm. Heady times.

Just a reflection.

[Scott]

That gets me to thinking. It seems that back in the 1950s people were really willing to go out a limb stylistically and be different. I don't see that at ALL anymore. I can't think of any mass produced car today that really sticks out like a lot of 1950s cars did even when they were new. A few, like the Pontiac Solstice are different in a way, but not really stylistically adventurous like the bullet noses or the Loewy models or even the 1959 Cadillac were in their day.

The Aztec was a bit adventurous and we all know how the throngs did NOT beat a path to the nearest Pontiac dealership to buy one.

BUT, apparently there were hundreds of thousands of people in those days that didn't mind, or even liked it, if their car was on the edge of the stylistic norm. Heady times.

Just a reflection.

[Transtar56]

Calling the Aztec "adventures" is the kindest thing Ive ever heard about them.
Ive seen one that the town police bought, having blue and red lights on the roof and painted in the police colors didn't hurt its looks at all, in fact, it may be the best looking one Ive seen yet.
At least it looks functional.

[Transtar56]

Calling the Aztec "adventures" is the kindest thing Ive ever heard about them.
Ive seen one that the town police bought, having blue and red lights on the roof and painted in the police colors didn't hurt its looks at all, in fact, it may be the best looking one Ive seen yet.
At least it looks functional.