Favorite Stude?

[Zach]

Well, other than the Avanti (obviously ) what's everybody's favorite model? I really like the Champ pickup

[Gunslinger]

The GT Hawk...one of the most handsome cars ever designed...particularly the '64 with vinyl half roof. Add an R-series engine and full R-package and you've got a really great car.

[Charlie Kile]

The GT Hawk...one of the most handsome cars ever designed...particularly the '64 with vinyl half roof. Add an R-series engine and full R-package and you've got a really great car.

In Spite of some fitting problems, the 53 hard top was the best looking American car ever produced.

I always felt that the overall best was the 61-68 E-Type Jaguar, second was the 53 Studebaker hard top ,and number three, the 64-85 Avanti.

Charlie RQB3921

[Sandy B.]

Not because of what it was - but because of what it would become .....

I aways was more than fond of a 1966 Lark Daytona Coupe. But - it had to be (over) LOADED;

with the Chevy V-8, the 3 speed Auto, those bucket seats, the vinyl top, and all the remainder groups & packages.

In & On itself it was "Just okay" ~ but it was much more. It was a decent, peppy, comfortable sporty coupe and it carried the Stude nameplate up to the heavens. The only place one ever sees them, is at car shows, and you'd probably have to go to more than a dozen, 'til you found one.

It was the curtain call for Stude. Also loved HER kid brother, the Wagoneer with the sliding roof panel.

Edited May 8, 2009 by Sandy B.

[Ernie]

1953 Studebaker Coupe!

[GAWen]

The 1956 Sky Hawk. The Looks of the Golden Hawk, The performance of a Hawk. A rare bird indeed. Very few are known to survive. Mine was a Emerald Green/Ivory interior/exterior. 289, 4 barrell, 3 speed o/d, TT, Radio, one owner. Then the Avanti, followed by the GT Hawk and the Cruiser coupe's.

George Wendell

[mfg]

This old post just 'surfaced", and I thought the question interesting!........After the Avanti, which I feel is the nicest Studebaker to drive, I'd choose the '55 President Speedster.

[pantera928]

Too hard to say. 56 Golden Hawk, 1950 Starlite, 1953 Commander and more

[Dwight FitzSimons]

Early 1964 Avanti (round headlight transition car).  Close seconds: 1953-4 Starliner, 1956 Sky Hawk, 1956 Golden Hawk, 1964 Hawk

--Dwight

[mfg]

On 4/7/2022 at 9:34 AM, Dwight FitzSimons said:

Early 1964 Avanti (round headlight transition car).  Close seconds: 1953-4 Starliner, 1956 Sky Hawk, 1956 Golden Hawk, 1964 Hawk

--Dwight

(Resurrecting old post)…I also like the ‘56 Golden’s… They drive like no other factory V8 Studebaker, with imposing torque ‘off the line’!

[Dwight FitzSimons]

This question is kinda like asking which of your kids/grandkids is your favorite.  I agree with ALL of the above answers; I like them all, for different reasons.

The final answer, for driving, is my full-package R1 '64 Hawk.

--Dwight

[mfg]

3 hours ago, Dwight FitzSimons said:

This question is kinda like asking which of your kids/grandkids is your favorite.  I agree with ALL of the above answers; I like them all, for different reasons.

The final answer, for driving, is my full-package R1 '64 Hawk.

--Dwight

Great choice Dwight!!

[Geoff]

I also haven't answered this. Maybe it's time I should. So yes, the Avanti is awesome. I even like the "fat lip" cars, the LSC, the 4-door, and convertibles. I'm no fan of the "cow catcher" but those are easily removed and the supports repurposed.

I like:
Champ pickup. I'd love to get a basket case early year Lark Wagonaire and a later junked Champ long bed, in order to build a quad cab long bed Champ pickup. Studebaker 289 powered and artificially huffed, of course.
Some of the Lark lineup. I love the Lark Daytona, Chevybaker Larks, and even 4-doors are nice.
I'm not a Hawk fan although I do like its predecessors; the cars which styling-wise morphed into the Hawk.

I don't have a Champ although if I did, I'd want to do something to accentuate the embossed S T U D E B A K E R written across the tailgate. And in the background area have a mural of America's heartland, landmarks, or history.

[Mark63Avanti]

Does it have to be a car Studebaker actually made or can I vote for the sports car that never made it past a clay model?

[mfg]

On 1/4/2025 at 4:07 PM, Mark63Avanti said:

Does it have to be a car Studebaker actually made or can I vote for the sports car that never made it past a clay model?

This painting looks very similar to the blue convertible ‘C/K’ type custom  that was on display at the SDC International meet at Warwick, Rhode Island a few years ago.

[Mark63Avanti]

I copied the picture from some Loewy prints of Studebaker cars. Sure would have been neat if the Corvette had some early competition.