Studebaker to be reborn?
That's what a US entrepreneur hopes, but there's a long way to go...
And now Studebaker - a company that last produced a vehicle in 1966 before competition from the Big Three proved too much - is back. Well, sort of.
Which is where the whole thing starts to get rather shaky - because despite the *cough* designs you see here really are about as far as the company's got. In fact its website's homepage has a disclaimer on it saying: "Studebaker Motor Company is not yet able to produce vehicles, or anythining (sic), as we are in the planning stages. Also please be advised, this is not a solicitation (sic again) for money."
Read a little further and you'll discover that funding is still needed for "Studebaker concept designs, engineering, prototypes, safety testing, certification, manufacturing and distribution of production vehicles". So that's, er, everything then.
While we wish Mr Reed and Studebaker all the best, then, we shan't be holding our breath for the company's rebirth just yet.
Now what is Studebaker best known for?
Ah, that's right - iconic design from none other than Raymond Loewy. Things like the Avanti, Golden Hawk and Starlight Commander (go on, you'd want to own that just so you could say the name, don't deny it!) were design landmarks from the guy who also gave you the Coke bottle, the Lucky Strike cigarette packet, the interior of Skylab, the Greyhound bus and the Shell logo.
In contrast, these... things... are an insult to that kind of design pedigree. They look like the sort of thing a two-bit Chinese moped manufacturer comes up with in some obscure corner of the Beijing motor show when they want to prove to the world they can design and build a car.
In case you didn't know what a Studebaker should look like, here's some idea:
k ugly doesn't even come close.
Obviously I don't remember Studebakers but I remember reading 'Diamonds are Forever' or 'Live and Let Die' (James Bond/Ian Fleming) where the ace Felix Leiter drives a Studebaker that is much appreciated by Bond.
RIP Studebaker. IMO resuscitating a 50 year old car company doesn't make a lot of sense.
We will print, market and sell two separate collectable commemorative certificates. The first will say, "STUDEBAKER, A Time Honored Name, A New Company for the Future" and the second certificate will say, "Out to build the best vehicle on the road." Both certificates will be limited production, numbered and signed by current President & CEO of Studebaker Motor Company, RW Reed. The price is $49.99 each. You may send check, cashier's check or money order to our mailing address
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