Cars you don't see many of anymore

[.:4:.]

I know a bloke who owns a 61 studebaker hawk. It was an australian delivered one. He has had it for 20+ years and was restored in the early 90s by the previous owner, so he just maintains it meticulously. It is a garage queen, but is still on full nsw rego even though it only gets driven maybe 3 times a year. So its a factory stude 4.2L v8, 3 speed auto. From what he tells me, semi interesringly, apparently the valve body in the v8s, in drive, they will never use 1st gear. So take off in 2nd unless you select 1st, in the 6's they will take off in 1st in drive. So parts availability even from the US is thin. He has been trying to track down a valve body from a 6 cyliner 3 speed for many years. Apparently that was an era specific mod to do to these things that doesnt hurt resale etc but improves driveability in the v8 models.