2071 messages,
Last post on Jun 13, 2013 at 9:04 AM
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Classic Cars, Coupe, Convertible, Truck, Sedan, Wagon
#1817 of 2071 Re: Record price set for an R2 Avanti at Barrett-Jackson [fintail]
by uplanderguy
Jan 22, 2013 (7:18 pm)
Did Stude ever used body color coded hubcaps?
No, but the '63 Lark and Cruiser full wheelcovers had a broad band of white on them, no matter what exterior color the rest of the car was.
#1819 of 2071 Re: Record price set for an R2 Avanti at Barrett-Jackson [uplanderguy]
by lemko
Jan 25, 2013 (7:06 am)
Did Checker taxicabs use the old Studebaker wheelcovers?
They look a lot like the ones used on the Lark.
#1821 of 2071 Re: Record price set for an R2 Avanti at Barrett-Jackson [uplanderguy]
by fintail
Jan 25, 2013 (8:01 am)
There are a few Checkers hanging around my area, even a couple wagons. One of the wagons is pretty mint looking, and has to be restored.
#1822 of 2071 Re: Record price set for an R2 Avanti at Barrett-Jackson [fintail]
by uplanderguy
Jan 25, 2013 (8:27 am)
In late '80 or early '81, with my first 'real' job, I had to travel to Kalamazoo to surprise-audit some of our stores. Back then, in that town, you saw Checkers with vinyl tops, whitewalls and wire wheelcovers driving around.
Sadly, I've never ridden in one. I'd like to fix that someday.
Speaking of Checker, I recall reading an article about Nate Altman, the Studebaker dealer who revived Avanti in South Bend. Before he decided to get financing himself, he approached the President of Checker, Morris Markin, about Checker building the Avanti on their line. Markin said, "How can you expect us to build a car as ugly as the Avanti?".
Altman was incensed...in the article he said, "Can you believe that? They build the Checker Marathon!".
And the rest is history, for both companies.
#1823 of 2071 Re: Record price set for an R2 Avanti at Barrett-Jackson [lemko]
by jljac
Jan 25, 2013 (9:53 am)
I remember riding in Checker cabs when I was a little kid visiting my grandmother in Chicago. (She was the only one in the family who would call a cab because she was the only adult who did not drive.) They had small fold able "jump" seats on the floor as seen below. I liked riding in my own seat. That would probably be illegal today as so many things are.
#1824 of 2071 Re: Record price set for an R2 Avanti at Barrett-Jackson [jljac]
by uplanderguy
Jan 25, 2013 (1:23 pm)
Cool; I've always heard they had jump seats but I've never seen one.
I remember a bit of an oddball guy in our town having a big-bumper, russet-colored Checker Marathon. I spoke to him at Lloyd Lee's Arco station about it, and he said he picked it up at the factory in Kalamazoo. I saw him driving it around town a few times more, then maybe five years later saw it on the "make me an offer" used-car lot of the Pontiac dealer. I don't know what happened to it afterwards.
#1825 of 2071 Re: Record price set for an R2 Avanti at Barrett-Jackson [fintail]
by uplanderguy
Jan 25, 2013 (2:00 pm)
I wonder how much more than that it cost to restore.
In re-reading the description, it was about a ten-year-old restoration, although was freshened up, so to speak, to 'present well' for the auction, whatever precisely that means.
I just love that particular car.
I wouldn't say you couldn't give me a Mustang or Camaro, but you could...upon which I'd promptly sell it and buy something a little more unique.
#1826 of 2071 Re: Record price set for an R2 Avanti at Barrett-Jackson [uplanderguy]
by fintail
Jan 25, 2013 (2:23 pm)
I have nothing against Mustangs or Camaros either, but I too prefer something uncommon. I don't like pulling up beside myself at a light or a show.