Studebaker might make a comeback

[aussie muscle]

source: http://www.pistonheads.com/news/defa...?storyId=25156

Anyone remember Studebaker? If you don't, they were best known for the distinctive bullet-nosed designs of the 50s (made famous, to yours truly at least, in The Muppet Movie of 1979).

And now Studebaker - a company that last produced a vehicle in 1966 before competition from the Big Three proved too much - is back. Well, sort of.


A chap called RW Reed is intent on bringing the moribund marque back to life. It's a project that's been ongoing for a couple of years, but the small matter of a global financial crisis has held things back. For 2012, though, the company is making a fresh bid for rebirth, and is looking for investors.

Which is where the whole thing starts to get rather shaky - because despite the *cough* designs you see here really are about as far as the company's got. In fact its website's homepage has a disclaimer on it saying: "Studebaker Motor Company is not yet able to produce vehicles, or anythining (sic), as we are in the planning stages. Also please be advised, this is not a solicitation (sic again) for money."

Read a little further and you'll discover that funding is still needed for "Studebaker concept designs, engineering, prototypes, safety testing, certification, manufacturing and distribution of production vehicles". So that's, er, everything then.

While we wish Mr Reed and Studebaker all the best, then, we shan't be holding our breath for the company's rebirth just yet.

[|Nate]

IMO, there was a lack of funding for the designers of that car. Dayum that's awful.

[Franco Cozzo]

They're all for equal opportunity, looks like they hired blind designers.

[Kowalski]

Yuuuuck!!

[Bossxr8]

Its almost comical.

I'd expect about 20 clowns to jump out of it, cause it looks like a clown car.

[Paxton]

Well, SSangyong did just get a new designer didn't they. Ever wondered what happened to their old one?

[OzJavelin]

My first car was a Studebaker Lark .. The Lark was ugly .. But not that ugly. I fail to understand why they would bother to reuse the brand for that ..

BTW: Theres been rumbles for years about relaunch of the American Motors Corporation brand .. It was seen a great opportunity post GFC to possibly relaunch combined American Marques .. But thankfully nothing yeh.

[Nikked]

With designs like that, they should just re-badge ssangyongs....

[mik]

a mate of mine was a mad studebaker enthusiast, at 17 years old he had a 47 bomb fronted, a 59 sedan,60 or 62 wagon and a sedan, some of their stuff was ahead of it`s time, i always like the supercharged Avanti,
it`s hard to see them coming back and making a go of it anyway, does anyone think there are way to many car makers?

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by aussie muscle

image

A face only a mother could love......

[davenl5l]

design by saang yoong(dont know how to spell it cant look at one long enough to find out)

[Till_Lind]

Beautiful cars back in the day. But God don't bring it back if they will rape the badge like this...

[calais]

With apsolute rubbish looking mock-up images like that, Studebaker deserves better.

My old neighbour had a Champion back in the day, that was a custom drop top..... sounded great, and looked even tougher with that front end.

[DJR-351]

Please do not pollute my memories.....

[DJR-351]

Originally Posted by DJR-351

Please do not pollute my memories.....

image

......or http://www.happycarz.com/pics_and_descp.php?id=867

[2011G6E]

Originally Posted by DJR-351

Please do not pollute my memories.....

image

MMmmmmmmmm...Hawk goodness...especially if you choose a supercharged one...what a car!

[MethodX]

Whats next? Kaiser and Packard...

[HULK EF]

remaining extinct looks like the better option!

[Moby Vic]

There have been numerous attempts to revive Packard. There has also been an attempt to revive Stutz.

I'll be happy if they revive Lincoln....

[MethodX]

Originally Posted by Moby Vic

There have been numerous attempts to revive Packard. There has also been an attempt to revive Stutz.

I'll be happy if they revive Lincoln....

I remember the revived stutz, it was a modified Pontiac i think.
I think there was one in that Henry Winkler/Michael Keaton movie Night Shift.

Packards were lovely cars, pity they couldnt keep up with the yearly style changes.
DeSoto's were cool too. early Hemi's

[chevypower]

Doesn't Fiat own the brand name now? AMC buys Studebaker, Chrysler buys AMC, Fiat buys Chrysler.....
Coming up next, the new Rambler.

[Moby Vic]

I don't think AMC ever had Studebaker. Studebaker died in the '60s. AMC was formed by a merger of Rambler and Nash (and I think Hudson) in the '50s.

[barnz_xr8]

this is my old mans studebaker avanti, the first car fitted with dunlop brakes standard,




289 v8(stude v8)