Projects Bought me a Driver...Studebaker Wagonaire's LETS SEE'EM!!!

Picked up a running driving 63 Wagonaire, 170, auto, driver, Road King not a trailer queen, Just needs some minor loving.....I might do a 65-66 Motor Swap to a SBC, and a 700R just so I can tow my Teardrop camper....Need to find the Frame pads the rest would be easy, I think.....Show me what you've done....

 

hey there i bought a set of tailights like those at a swap meet, never knew what they were off of til now!

 

Looks good, nice score. I'd suggest a Stude 259 or 289 V8 over an SBC, maybe even supercharged if you want to be serious about it. Putting an SBC in a Stude is kind of a shame and kills the value too.

 

Very cool.

I've always wondered how weathertight that sliding roof is.
Does it leak at all?

Good luck with your new toy.

 

Cool car! I'd like to have one.The opening roof seems like a good idea.
I think it would be way cooler to stick with a Stude engine too.

 

That thing is cool.. Did you find it in Ohio??

 

Oh daddy, I love these babies. I see one at the MidWest's coolest show, The Greaserama in Kansas City. They have to be quite rare, should be a natty hook up for a teardrop trailer. Great if you can hook up a 289 Stude vs a chevy, do what works for you! Congrats! ~Sololobo~

 

Those 259/289s weigh as much as a Hemi and make about 1/3 the power. And there is no such thing as a valuable Studebaker. I really don't think it would kill the value of the car if the SBC swap is well-done, especially if he adds overdrive.

That is a sharp little ride! Looks like the interior is in great shape. However, I don't think this "let's seem 'em" thread is going to be a huge success. But a google search did bring up a couple of em.

Congrats on your cool score!

 

Just before studebaker died they factory put in chevy engines, I saw a set of chevy valvecovers with studebaked embossed on them in the wrecking yard. Avanti also used the SBC

 

Being a Studebaker guy, I too like the idea of Stude V-8. However if you want to do the SBC thing check with the network of Studebaker vendors. I would think they could come up with whatever you need as the GM (Mckinnon) small block was used in '65-'66. Try the Studebaker Drivers Club forum for info. Also Studebaker Racing Forum might help you should you think about a modified Stude V-8. The Stude V-8's are heavy that is true, but they can be made to put out substantial power and they are different.
Great looking car. Good score. Keep us informed as to how the project comes along.

 

Well, if you do decide to put an SBC in it, do it in a way that doesn't damage any hard to fix Stude parts of the car. The SBC in it will drop the attractiveness of it for most people that are into Studes. That is just the way it is. Studes are already not the most popular cars out there and then deciding to do something that will not be attractive to most of them is cutting your potential resell pool down dramatically, therefore value.

If you do it in such a way using Stude vendor parts so that it can be replaced with a Stude V8 again, you will be better off. If you hack it up too much, you will have a hard time finding a buyer for it later if you ever try to sell it.

Now, of course, dropping in a hemi or Cad motor, etc. is a whole different story, but still needs to be done well.

It is actually very easy to find Stude V8's and mostly for dirt cheap prices. No, it won't be as cheap in the end as an SBC, because SBC's have the cheap market cornered. But, you would be surprised how easy finding parts for Studes and the motors is once you know where to look.

The Stude V8 is no chump change either. Andy Granatelli didn't to break a bunch of land speed records in the Avantis using SBC's. He had some serious Stude V8 power. More than enough to haul that wagon around. And the Stude V8's are way more beefy and durable than an SBC.

 

those are some cool looking wagons

 

huh
that roof opening will make a great spot for a fifth wheel hitch
hookin up for the bigger style airstreams ...

 

kool . Iam a believer in a chevy for a chevy ....a ford for a ford ......a stude for a stude . Etc. Etc.
your kool kar you will decide . Iam trying to buy one in town but the little pecker won't get off it. (yet)

 

Indy...been locked away 9 years after a dads passing, has bunches of Stude club mags in the back...

 

Very, very cool stuff. Whatever you do will be nice I am sure. Love it.

 

yea, I have read up were the leaked when new...oh well better keep a rag laying around..

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/1963-1966-studebaker-wagonaire.htm/printable


The 1963 Studebaker Wagonaire offered the
widest range of options in the industry.


Studebaker gave the new wagon top billing in its advertising for 1963. Calling it "three cars in one," ads stressed the utilitarian virtues, as well as the "convertible" nature of the new body. Though it was essentially a six-passenger wagon, one could order it with an optional rear-facing hideaway third seat that could accommodate smaller children. When so equipped, special captive-air tires were provided since there was no room for a spare. (When the tailgate was lowered, an optional stirrup step could be pivoted down to ease passenger entry.)
Of course, when that roof was slid forward, "the sky was the limit" for carrying anything from refrigerators and Christmas trees to bales of hay and large crates.

The rear window on the Wagonaire retracted into the tailgate. For ease of operation, an optional power control was offered. Turning the key in the outside lock actuated it. During the model run, a safety switch was introduced that made the rear window inoperable when the tailgate was open. At about the same time, a mechanism was added to the sliding roof that allowed for positive locking of the roof in three positions.

As with all new models, there were some teething problems with the sliding roof. A few owners complained that, in heavy rains or when washing their cars, there were leaks toward the front of the opening area. The engineering department quickly solved this with a newly designed weather strip.
Though a general recall was avoided, the main office sent a six-page illustrated service letter to dealers outlining corrective measures. Despite the quick fix, the negative publicity so soon after introduction was a damper on early sales.

 

As mentioned, there is no large value in a Studebaker unless it had a supercharger, a 4-speed or other such highly sought equipment. And with a 6 cylinder automatic, I'd make the arguement you'll actually increase the value if you do it correctly.

There are a few larger Studebaker vendors that make getting parts better than most cars. Studebaker International shows they carry the engine mount pads for a SBC. This will also allow the use of a 4.3L V6 which will put out more power than a Stude 259 V8 and weight around half as much. There will be some minor challenges in the swap but pretty close to a bolt in swap.

While I'm putting a Studebaker 289 in my Daytona, it's definitely a heavy engine. For a daily with a 6 cylinder, GM power will be fine.

 

Got it home today....Drove it down the road, ordered some new plug wires, will tune it tomorrow...maybe to the Cruise in at Hicks Manor in Hamilton, Ohio tomorrow!!

Prior owner owned it 33 years!!

click on the pic for a video

 

Imho, if you want to fool a lotta people, then drop in a 331" Cad because if I have this right, it should look about the same as a 232" Stude V-8.

And I'm here to say that a STOCK, '51 232" Stude V-8 will run all night long wide open fine. And the little buggers ALL have solid lifter stock cams in them so they will rpm to the moon.

Been there, know all about the 232" Stude engine!

All this said, I bet a 500" Cad will drop right in and on the CHEAP too!!!

He, He!!!

pdq67

 

Never thought I`d live to see the day a Studebaker owner suggested putting a Chevrolet engine in The Pride of South Bend. HEATHENS!!!!

 

Awesome wagon...congrats!

 

Here is the lil lady's '64:

 

Wow! Few years back I accidentaly encountered a Stude Drivers Club meet at the Jantzen Beach Shopping Center in Portland. One of the things that surprised me how many Studes were running off-brand drivetrains and there they were welcome and accepted at a Stude national meet. The attitude was at least the cars were being kept on the road and preserved. Now on the HAMB (proud home of hoodlums) its old geezer restorer talk when it comes to Studes.

And as far that an engine swap will destroy the value who are these guys kidding. Anyone who has ever tried selling a Stude knows that only a stude newbie will give you a fair price. The stude die-hards are so cheap that they just won't pay anywhere close to half their worth. Actually a good trick they pull as its kept Studes affordable to them for years.

Nice wagon, swap in the SBC with an O-Drive tranny and drive the wheels off it.

 

That is a cool car! I had a matchbox one of those as a kid. Loved how the roof slid forward - I think it was light green. Hope you have fun with it whatever you decide powertrain wise.

Later,

Mike

 

didn't Ford just start putting these steps on there tailgates.

 

Wow that thing is ugly , looks to be in good shape. One of those odd cars only a mother could love,no offence.

 

Hence the term "CASO"...Cheap-a$$ed-Studebaker-Owner

 

nice score. love them stude wagons.