The time has come for us to sell our beloved project and parade car. This Studebaker has been with us since April 2014, and after having a baby, I have realized this car needs to be in someone's garage with the time to fully restore this great wagon. It can be done. I have seen similar Studebaker's in similar condition fully restored.
Summary:
-1964 (Last year of South Bend production) Studebaker Commander Wagonaire (sliding roof) VIN:64S P4 614
-Likely 142,350k miles on the body but actual mileage unknown, odometer shows: 42,350
-Originally Laguna Blue with blue interior (bench seats), remnants of original paint visible although previous owner put car in primer and sprayed the roof white (all needs to be redone)
-170 cu. in. 6 cyl (rebuilt by previous owner just prior to purchase) runs pretty well but could use a thorough tuning and shakedown. Could easily be swapped for V-8, Chevy or Studebaker
-3 Speed manual transmission with overdrive, OD works but solenoid needs to be rebuilt
-Single barrel carburetor (rebuilt recently by Richard Gahlbeck)
-Rebuilt and fully restored rear end (4.10 ratio) including seals, bearings (all like new)
-Recently overhauled clutch, including new clutch, new disc, resurfaced flywheel, new bearings
-Rebuilt rear brakes with new cylinders, drums, pads, paint, brake lines
-Rebuilt front brakes with new cylinders, drums, pads, paint, brake lines
-Rebuilt master cylinder
-Rebuilt and restored rear suspension with new shocks and bushings (leaf springs still need overhaul)
-Restored gas tank with new soft lines.
-New fuel lines, filter, pump and hoses
-New battery
-Radiator flushed and new hoses
-Wheels blasted and powder coated blue with dog dish caps (original full wheel covers included)
-Tires are reproduction Firestone to match original style, like new condition ($800 new-were donated to me)
-New misc. wiring under hood and dash (by previous owner)
-New plugs and wires
Pros:
Everything listed above. It is a driving project, it starts, idles smoothly, drives well and straight, stops with authority, what more do you need? All safety items work as intended, including turn signals, headlights, high-beams, tail lights, brake lights, wipers, brakes, steering components. This car is very complete, all body trim is accounted for, bumpers are in good condition, grill is in very good condition. All glass is original and in good condition. Has a blue dash pad in remarkably good condition, definitely restorable. I have chosen to leave the car mostly assembled to make it easier for those to disassemble in an orderly fashion for restoration. The mechanics of this car have been gone through and it is body work, paint and interior work that needs to be completed.
Many rare and optional parts on car and in storage, including:
-Daytona body trim (complete and in good condition, includes tailgate chrome), I do not have chrome window trim but could get it for you for the right price, I do know where a good parts car is located locally.
-Electric Tail gate (complete including motors, wiring, switches, etc.) This was a rare option and I found a complete one in a parts car and took everything needed to convert on this car.
-Original Roof Rack (Rare), cross pieces are in very good condition, the rack itself could use some attention as there is pitting and one cross bar is missing. Base pieces are in good condition and new cross bars could easily be made.
-Tail gate step (Rare)
-Bucket seats, I have set of seats with floor bracket from a 62' Cruiser. Everything you need to convert to original buckets.
-Extra mint condition grill (grills are delicate so having an extra is very nice)
-Many other small parts- seat belts, door handles, tail lights, sun visors, interior trim pieces, steering wheel parts, dash parts, NOS tailgate crank, NOS ash trays (rear seats).
*Note all of these parts included.
The Cons:
If you live in the Midwest or the East Coast the following is not considered much of a con since rust is prevalent everywhere. This car has rust in rockers, floors, A and B pillars, Bottom half of B pillars need to be replaced (Thanks to roof drain tubes draining into these locations-common problem in Wagonaires) and surface rust in many other locations. To restore this car one would want to completely disassemble, media blast and have at it. Floor sheet metal is available from Studebaker International, as well as rockers, and a few other sections. The fenders, doors, hood, and large body areas have very good and straight metal, plenty for a body guy to work with. The car is really straight and has never been in an accident, frame is straight, X-frame is in good condition (surface rust). A local body guy who does very good work told me he could disassemble entire car, blast and do all body work for around $5k not including paint. This seemed like a very fair price. Prices may vary in your area.
This car was purchased locally in Tacoma, WA in April of 2014. Previous owner was very old and had many fully restored cars in his collection, this is the one he never got to finishing, I do not know who had it previous to him. An original build sheet can be ordered from Studebaker which would show where this car was originally purchased from and will also include all factory specs.
More photos available upon request. Don't hesitate to ask any questions.
Happy Bidding
Garrett