Sure, we all love the post and pre-war Fords The tri-five Chevrolets, your Belair hardtops, 49-51 Fords, Impalas, Nomads, rancheros, and so on. I do as well. But there a has to be a car you secretly want to own, but don't dare out of fear and ridicule from your peers. "You bought a what?" My coming out of the closet car is the 39-41 Studebaker coupes and sedans. I think they're beautiful. I'll sack up and get one someday.. What's yours?
I don't think 39/41 Studebakers are orphan cars. They were just not hot rod material back in the day. Most cars were not hot rod material. Fords were. Studebakers have a strong following, not necessarily in the hot rod world. And let us not forget, 41 Stude tail lights were primo pieces on early customs. Customisers looked at all cars.
I've always loved those Studebaker Hawks since they were new but never had one. Still the issue with a lot of orphan cars is that when you start hunting for original parts and pieces for them you quickly discover as to why they are called Orphan cars. I talked a guy I knew out of getting a 50 something Fat fender Mopar Sedan back about 32 years ago and into getting a still quite affordable then 65/66 Mustang as a father-son project for two guys who really weren't skilled mechanics. The main two reasons were the support for the car in the aftermarket and resource material plus a failed project was a lot easier to unload. Now, If I was building a gasser, those 39/41 Studebakers look real interesting and you don't have to worry much about "original" pieces except for outside sheetmetal .
I'd have to go Studebaker also, along the same flavor as this one but powered by a Mopar big block wedge, just short of 500 cid.
Ive had some orphans the past few years, but I got rid of them all. Edsel, Hudson, etc. I've noticed that there are some "different" people, who just love some particular oddball make of car...pretty strange
My very first driving/dating car, a 1941 Willys Americar coupe was an "orphan" at the time but would bring a bit of change now. All the others with Fords and Chevys made fun of it's pocket watch sized flat head 4 banger. Drove it all through HS and then gave it to my younger brother who promptly wrecked it. My "real"car was a 34 Ford 5w coupe with a 303 Olds engine. No heater or fenders so a bust for winter or rainy driving. Gave $35 for the Willys and quit buying 34 Ford coupes when they started bringing over $50----way out of my price range.
Studebaker 59/60 Larks, 50 Starlight coupe. Willys 41 coupe Nash 60 Rambler American wagon Kaiser Darrin, Traveler, Henry J Hudson, Hillman, Tucker, Desoto, Packard........like 'em all.
I have re-done a Rambler American, a Nash Metropolitan, and my current Henry J so I guess I'm a fan of orphans. Gary
I have had Studebakers in the past, a 49 starlight coupe, 57 pickup, and a 63 Daytona hardtop. The 63 was a V8, 4 speed, with disc brakes and a dana 44 twin traction (Studebaker for posi) . Thats when I realized the cost to build a Studebaker was the same or more than the cost to build a Ford or Chevy but worth a third when you were done and hard to sell.
I always thought that this particular year and model of Studebaker, were always under appreciated and very much over looked, to me they have some pretty classy lines and shapes.
This thing is just about perfect out of the box. Came close once but most parts are unobtainium and that always makes me Leary of owning something that can get stalled or frustrated searching for one stupid part. also like just about any 40’s -50,s dodge , Chrysler desoto product. They all had such fancy interiors and drive well for the time. But again the unavailability of most parts drives me from doing much with these cars.
I think nosford hit the nail on the head. There’s nothing wrong with any orphan car, but unless it’s your “forever” car be prepared to lose some $ at resale time. With All that said, most of us are Not in this to make $. Build What You Want!
Guess this was the one that got my brother and I on the 'baker train. Dad had brought one of these home to use as his latest drive to work beater. It was a "check the oil" flathead 6 under the hood a funny engine to us at the time. It went to his friends pasture of cars after he was done with it. Funny he would never lets us go see it or the other cars we were told that were "in the pasture" as we got to driving age. It was a work buddy of his in the service.
I had the Daytona mostly done and was looking at getting a paintjob but the cost of paint here was enough to put the investment in the car over the top of sanity! As someone else said, you need to love the orphan car and plan to keep it forever before it makes sense, I usually at least break even when I sell one of my cars and then it is to buy something else I want more. A couple more pictures, this was a nice rust free car!
Orphans are the only cars I want! I had a nice 454 Chevelle at my first big show and got confused driving in. I stopped and asked the guy directing traffic where I should park. He said, "Down that way by all those other Chevelles." He was right, there were a bunch. I've had a string of weirdos ever since. I suppose ultimately I'm the weirdo! Of course I'm at a point where I don't sell cars anymore, just keep accumulating, so resale isn't my main focus. I suppose my heirs are in for a let down!
The Jalopy Journal
