Are you asking about the wind/air/dust deflectors? http://www.60impala.com/arc/WindDeflectors.jpg
They helped keep the rear window clean.
Nice car, but it is an example of out-of-date style. The small manufacturers couldn't afford to keep up with the Big Three design schedule and annual trim updates. Even Ford and Chrysler were having difficulty selling enough units to pay for the constant annual make-over and three-year redesign of each platform being done over at GM. This 1960 would have seemed old in 1956. The trend was lower and wider. The small cars, Lark and Nash, were facing Chevy II, Corvair, Falcon, Valiant, and Dart. The imports were gaining, too.
This is absolutely wonderful. Golly. It looks like it has little rust and has never been in an accident. If I owned it I'd be constantly paranoid about something breaking. How could it ever be repaired?
I think this thing looks so absolutely weird. Great candidate for being give the overall IKON treatment.
I think if Studebaker (if possible back then) should've concentrated on making 4WD vehicles. If they did that and did not have the money to change the body style I still think they might've had a market for those vehicles especially for people in states where it snows real hard. Imagine if Studebaker would've concentrated on this starting in the 50s. Who knows, they probably would've had a cult following but then again if they were successful the big three probably would've caught onto this concept as well
Wow, that's an interesting concept, Richard! They essentially would have been Willys II :D (The front header panel on this wagon always reminds me of a Jeep/Willys vehicle!) - I've never been a Studie fan, but ya gotta love the fact that there used to be so many smaller manufacturers. Wish we had that kind of choice today!
The consolidations began in the 1920s. Continued in the Great Depression 1930s. Remained solvent by WWII military contracts in the early 1940s. Had a Renaissance, late 40s to early 50s, following the war when the public demanded new cars to replace the pre-war junkers they were still driving. Some new players jumped in, too. Tucker and Kaiser and others. They sold anything they cold roll out. The market was hot! GM ruled the 50s. Even Ford and Chrysler struggled to maintain. The war boom faded and the independents attempted to combine to keep market share. The 60s rolled up the few remaining independents, who had begun consolidating in the early 50s when production caught up to post-war demand. The imports get a toe hold. Win on Sunday muscle begins to drive sales. The 70s close the coffin on what's left, but Detroit faces the imports! Detroit moves to the Confederacy with the imports in tow. Chrysler dies twice and Fiat. GM goes commie.
Best of OPC. 
10 comments:
What are those over both D pillars? I've never seen that before.
Are you asking about the wind/air/dust deflectors?
http://www.60impala.com/arc/WindDeflectors.jpg
They helped keep the rear window clean.
Nice car, but it is an example of out-of-date style. The small manufacturers couldn't afford to keep up with the Big Three design schedule and annual trim updates. Even Ford and Chrysler were having difficulty selling enough units to pay for the constant annual make-over and three-year redesign of each platform being done over at GM. This 1960 would have seemed old in 1956. The trend was lower and wider. The small cars, Lark and Nash, were facing Chevy II, Corvair, Falcon, Valiant, and Dart. The imports were gaining, too.
This is absolutely wonderful. Golly. It looks like it has little rust and has never been in an accident. If I owned it I'd be constantly paranoid about something breaking. How could it ever be repaired?
I think this thing looks so absolutely weird. Great candidate for being give the overall IKON treatment.
Way to go Ben. Superb pick.
^^^ is that a comment from markus?
jeez, what a find. how many of these must there still be in the world? unrestored but in running condition??? SUCH an old parked car.
the front end looks so snubby irresistible over that whitewall tire — i wonder if it's an illusion because the tire is angled out a little?
I think if Studebaker (if possible back then) should've concentrated on making 4WD vehicles. If they did that and did not have the money to change the body style I still think they might've had a market for those vehicles especially for people in states where it snows real hard. Imagine if Studebaker would've concentrated on this starting in the 50s. Who knows, they probably would've had a cult following but then again if they were successful the big three probably would've caught onto this concept as well
Wow, that's an interesting concept, Richard! They essentially would have been Willys II :D (The front header panel on this wagon always reminds me of a Jeep/Willys vehicle!) - I've never been a Studie fan, but ya gotta love the fact that there used to be so many smaller manufacturers. Wish we had that kind of choice today!
The consolidations began in the 1920s.
Continued in the Great Depression 1930s.
Remained solvent by WWII military contracts in the early 1940s.
Had a Renaissance, late 40s to early 50s, following the war when the public demanded new cars to replace the pre-war junkers they were still driving. Some new players jumped in, too. Tucker and Kaiser and others. They sold anything they cold roll out. The market was hot!
GM ruled the 50s. Even Ford and Chrysler struggled to maintain. The war boom faded and the independents attempted to combine to keep market share.
The 60s rolled up the few remaining independents, who had begun consolidating in the early 50s when production caught up to post-war demand. The imports get a toe hold. Win on Sunday muscle begins to drive sales.
The 70s close the coffin on what's left, but Detroit faces the imports!
Detroit moves to the Confederacy with the imports in tow.
Chrysler dies twice and Fiat.
GM goes commie.
^Love your summary!
If Studebaker was successful with four wheel drive vehicles, the big three would copy it.
What a joy to wander down the lane to visit the hippie chicks at the commune driving that classic mobile work of art!!!
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