Comments on: MI Tests The Studillac (Nov, 1953)

By: Morgan Paris

Morgan Paris — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 08:18:55 +0000

Novelist Ian Fleming actually owned a Studillac in the mid 1950′s, and got a speeding ticket for driving 96mph somewhere in the continental United States. That is how I found about the existence of this peculiar, but speedy car. Studebaker also had a car called the Power Hawk in the late fifties that was supercharged, and was about as fast as a Studillac, which as the artilce mentions was capable of reaching up to 125 mph. They also used the new powerful Packard V-8 engines for a while in the mid 50′s before Packard went under, which had 250 horsepower and probably also had about the same speed range capabilities.

By: Nick

Nick — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 01:02:47 +0000

In the Ian Fleming James bond books this was the car that Felix Leiter drove.

By: Tom Portesy

Tom Portesy — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 03:55:21 +0000

I am the owner of a Bill Frick Studillac 1 of 3 known to still exsit I own this car since 1974 and ashamped to say is not finish I am 65 and my time is running out But would never think of selling it I’ll finish it if it kills me.

By: KHarn

KHarn — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 02:24:33 +0000

In the NOVEL “Diamonds Are Forever”, Felix Lieter (Then working for Pinkerton) owned a Studalac!

By: Gutie

Gutie — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 06:00:20 +0000

As I recall Studebaker had an especially generous contract with the UAW which put them in an even less competitive position. Yet they were able to carry on as a mfg for many years. On the other hand, all the owners were quite complicit with labor in not expecting better performance from the workers. Until into the 60s no one ever believed that Detroit would not be the leader in auto production and sales. So it worked for everyone. As to the Studillac, the ’53 had frames that were not strong enough for the regular cars, I wonder how they stood up to the added stress of more power and torque.

By: slim

slim — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 03:54:25 +0000

Toronto: The perception of poor workmanship from Detroit didn’t end in the 50′s. But it’s interesting to see it pointed out in a major magazine as early as 1953. What I meant was that the Japanese eventually capitalized on it.

By: Toronto

Toronto — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 20:09:09 +0000

Slim: No way were Japanese cars accepted in the 1950s. Even in the ’60s, Toyota Crowns were ‘tinny’ to say the least.

By: slim

slim — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 19:48:56 +0000

The comments about poor workmanship and sabotage are interesting. No wonder the Japanese cars were so well accepted.

By: Charlie

Charlie — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 17:56:20 +0000

Toronto: Of course, but my way is more fun.

By: Don

Don — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 13:48:50 +0000

Huh. I think STUD-illac is absolutely the RIGHT pronunciation . . . .

By: StanFlouride

StanFlouride — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 07:03:54 +0000

Ray Loewy, earlier in his storied career, designed the well-known Lucky Strike logo.

By: Toronto

Toronto — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 05:09:56 +0000

Charlie – you *do* realize that it’s pronounced “STEW dillac”, right? Not “STUD”.

Still an awesome name.

By: Toronto

Toronto — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 05:06:01 +0000

Nice wheels! I always did like Studis, but this is a work of art.