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Postwar Studebakers

2061 messages,  Last post on May 19, 2013 at 11:06 AM

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What is this discussion about? Classic Cars, Coupe, Convertible, Truck, Sedan, Wagon

Messages Page 183 of 207

#1818 of 2061 Re: Record price set for an R2 Avanti at Barrett-Jackson [uplanderguy] by uplanderguy

Jan 25, 2013 (3:38 am)

Replying to: uplanderguy (Jan 22, 2013 7:18 pm)
Received via email from Hagerty Insurance yesterday--since we were discussing the Avanti at Barrett-Jackson here:
 
http://www.hagerty.com/classic-car-articles-resources/Features/News/All-Articles- /2013/01/17/Studebaker-Avanti-Turns-50?utm_source=ExactTarget&utm_medium=email&u- tm_term=&utm_content=&utm_campaign=Hagerty%20Weekly%20News%2001-21-2013

#1819 of 2061 Re: Record price set for an R2 Avanti at Barrett-Jackson [uplanderguy] by lemko

Jan 25, 2013 (7:06 am)

Replying to: uplanderguy (Jan 22, 2013 7:18 pm)
Did Checker taxicabs use the old Studebaker wheelcovers?
 

 
They look a lot like the ones used on the Lark.

#1820 of 2061 Re: Record price set for an R2 Avanti at Barrett-Jackson [lemko] by uplanderguy

Jan 25, 2013 (7:42 am)

Replying to: lemko (Jan 25, 2013 7:06 am)
Sharp eye, lemko! They did indeed use former Studebaker wheel covers.
 
International also used Stude's '64 and '65 full wheelcovers (a favorite of mine) into the '70's:
 
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1970-International-Pickup-Truck-Brochure-/350138831699
 
Checkers are so goofy, I enjoy them too although they are rarely seen. They were made in Kalamazoo, MI.

#1821 of 2061 Re: Record price set for an R2 Avanti at Barrett-Jackson [uplanderguy] by fintail

Jan 25, 2013 (8:01 am)

Replying to: uplanderguy (Jan 25, 2013 7:42 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 2061 Re: Record price set for an R2 Avanti at Barrett-Jackson [fintail] by uplanderguy

Jan 25, 2013 (8:27 am)

Replying to: fintail (Jan 25, 2013 8:01 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 2061 Re: Record price set for an R2 Avanti at Barrett-Jackson [lemko] by jljac

Jan 25, 2013 (9:53 am)

Replying to: lemko (Jan 25, 2013 7:06 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 2061 Re: Record price set for an R2 Avanti at Barrett-Jackson [jljac] by uplanderguy

Jan 25, 2013 (1:23 pm)

Replying to: jljac (Jan 25, 2013 9:53 am)
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 2061 Re: Record price set for an R2 Avanti at Barrett-Jackson [fintail] by uplanderguy

Jan 25, 2013 (2:00 pm)

Replying to: fintail (Jan 19, 2013 8:03 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 2061 Re: Record price set for an R2 Avanti at Barrett-Jackson [uplanderguy] by fintail

Jan 25, 2013 (2:23 pm)

Replying to: uplanderguy (Jan 25, 2013 2:00 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.

#1827 of 2061 Re: Record price set for an R2 Avanti at Barrett-Jackson [fintail] by uplanderguy

Jan 25, 2013 (3:05 pm)

Replying to: fintail (Jan 25, 2013 2:23 pm)
You've probably experienced this too, but I loved at a local cruise-in a couple years ago, two guys just kept coming back and back to my white sunroof Lark Daytona. Just kept saying, "I've never seen one". That's neat. Generalizing is bad, I know, but I've met more than one '57 Chevy or GTO owner who've either said, or stopped just short of saying, "why would you want one of those?". Dolts!

Messages Page 183 of 207

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