paint color, 1925 standard six

[u.k stude dude]

Hi guys, recently bought a 1925 standared six over here in the u.k, she came over from tennesee back in 2000, shes good, but needs loads of love!. Ive found under the rear seat stenciled on the floor board what is either apaint code or trim color, not sure which. it says "gliddens, ydo? ydq? tapestry blue", shes been painted green over green at some stage, (she was in a few movies, so legend has it)and retrimmed in green moquette. The plot thickens, having stripped out most of the ash frame, (thankfully im almost finished replacing it as well!)it would seem the first layer of paint she had was black. Can anyone tell me, is that studebakers standard factory primer? same as you get on modern vehical replacement panels, or the original color she would have been?. Im trying to put right a good many wrongs in the course of the resto, the list of questions ive got for you guys is near endless! im not goin to burden you with them all at once though!, but will finish by saying how amazed i am that a car of 82 yrs old is so advanced, especially compared to the junk we brits wer turning out at the time. It was built with true craftsmanship, the kind you dont get anymore, unfortunatly!. thanks guys, hope one of you has the answers, (il bet its a lot more than just one!).

[dictator27]

You don't say what body style it is. The colour varied depending on which body it was.

Terry

[doug]

Many of the Standards Six (ER) model cars were painted one colot for each body style per an article in Turning Wheels in 1986. The Standard Six was produced from 1925 to 1926 with many "running changes" along the way. Many parts are not interchangable from early to late models. If you know the body style (letter on the body tag) it would help to find the original color. The serial number (behind the left front wheel) would indicate an early or late ('25 or '26)model. Several blues are listed but Tapestry blue was not on the list in the article.

I have a '26 ER "coach" and the only color was Belgian Blue (Which is green to me). Go figure.

[dictator27]

Me again. All 1925 ER Standard Six open cars(touring, roadster) were painted black with ivory pinstriping on the hood(bonnet) louvres.

Terry

[chocolate turkey]

I have a 1925 ER Duplex-Phaeton that was originally black. I asked about colours and was told that many went to the dealer in primer and were painted to the colour that the customer (or dealer himself) wanted. I've seen half a dozen 25 Duplexes, no two were the same colour.
I'm not looking forward to doing the wood on this 25, I'm a metal worker, not a wood worker!

Brian K. Curtis

[dictator27]

Good point, Brian. The factory supplied colour was black, but dealers could paint them in customer requested colours. IMHO, black doesn't do them justice.

Terry

[studeboy28]

The colors stenciled under the rear seat should be the original factory colors. At least that was the way on my 1928 dictator.; Studebaker had the policy that they would paint any car any color on request. My 1928 has dove grey and spruce green on the board along with code numbers.

28 dictator
40 commander

[u.k stude dude]

Hi guys, thanks for the replys. The body style is 4door sedan, six opening side windows, ER5, the serial number on the plate is 1422885,this may help shed some light!, Hey brian, dont worry bout the wood, its not so bad, (im a shipwright by trade so maybe i should shut up now) just take it piece at a time, they were cleaverly built, so beware the hidden bolts/ screws, if it dosent move, its still fixed!, kind regards to you all,
Alex.

[chocolate turkey]

Mine has no wood under the rear seat, nor has it got the correct wood in many places. In the past, someone has used redwood instead of the correct oak or ash. At least, I have the piece to use as a pattern. I had considered just replicating the wooden parts in metal. It's all hidden anyway......

Brian K. Curtis

[doug]

U.K. stude dude
The serial number yu posted is for a later series Studebaker. My late ER is serial number 13014959. The book STUDEBAKER, THE COMPLETE STORY, by Cannon & Fox indicates your serial number is for a 1928 GE Dictator. I am curious what the engine number is. I am only responding because if you purchase parts, it could make a big difference, especially if you are restoring the car. What does the body plate on the firewall say? It wold indicate series of the body, body style and body number.

[dictator27]

To follow up on what doug said, check the body tag on the right side of the firewall under the bonnet. With the serial number you gave it should say GE. Also the engine number which is on the right side of the engine above the water jacket cover should start with GE. Studebaker changed the body design 3 times during 1928. Your chassis number indicates a second design car.

Terry

[u.k stude dude]

Hi Doug, Terry, and the guys watching this unfold, now im getting confused!,just had a look under the bonnet, right side of fire wall, brass tag, number says GE 14050. As bought, the serial number plate was off the car in a plastic envelope, for safe keeping, removed by the guy i got her from, also the brass tag has been re-fastend at some stage with pop-rivets, what was the original style of fixing? (im fussy about this kind of thing, and it bugs me).
And worst of all i dont have the engine in the car at the moment, thats still in the guys workshop, waiting to get dug out from under years of junk, but i seem to remember a numbere starting GE when i had look a few weeks back, would this be a small six?, the car is 114" wheel base on wood spoke wheels, im probably wrong, but i got the idea that by 28 they had gone over to wires?. I havnt seen two studebakers the same yet, they have so many detail changes its hard to work out what i should have!, thanks for taking an interest, and the time to help out, kind regards, Alex.

[dictator27]

Alex

Engine is 242 cubic inches or 4 litres displacement(3 3/8 bore x 4 1/2 stroke) producing 65-70 hp at 2800 rpm. Wheelbase is actually 113 inches. Wood spoked wheels were standard with wire wheels optional. First year for a mechanical fuel pump - left side of engine at front. Body tag was originally held on by flat headed rivets. Studebaker paid no attention to model years in the twenties, preferring to change things when they felt it necessary. This can make life interesting occasionally!

Terry
1927 Dictator sedan

[u.k stude dude]

Thanks Terry, appreciate the info, glad im now starting to get some where with the resto.Im just itching to get hold of that engine and have a real look at it!. Have seen the earlier engines, they had some kind of vacuum accumulator set up to draw fuel up, i think, mine did have a mechanical fuel pump, only it got broken off in the crate when it got shipped!. When i learn how to use the computer properly il post some pics of the car. I could bribe my wife into showing me how, only, that wouldnt be cheap, and that set of new tyres is too tempting to wait any longer for!, kind regards to you all, Alex.

[doug]

We haven't figured out the original color question. I can't find any color information on '28 Dictators at this time. I'm still looking.