“The first day of spring was once the time for taking the young virgins into the fields, there in dalliance to set an example in fertility for nature to follow. Now we just set the clocks an hour ahead and change the oil in the crankcase.” ― E.B. White, One Man’s Meat
I was looking for a suitable quotation about spring, and this one is not exactly what I had in mind, but then there is the automotive connection to changing the oil as well as the fields. But no one is going to confuse the these hulks of old Studebaker coupes for “young virgins”.
These three old gals (and Loewy coupes are decidedly feminine) might once have inspired the automotive equivalent of dalliances, but I’m not so sure anymore. If someone falls in love with these and decides that there’s enough life in them to bring back to youthful bloom, it’s going to be an arduous undertaking. There’s some major shortage of certain key body parts, never mind engines (actually, the middle coupe still has its V8).
Ever seen a Studebaker coupe lift its long, flowing skirt and show off its front suspension so provocatively?
One of them still has a touch of modesty, covering up its engine and other vital parts at least from the top. Where have all the fenders gone?
Here they are, hiding inside. maybe everything one needs to get these back on the street is in here. The engine in the trunk, perhaps? Studebaker did toy with the idea of a rear engine for their 1946 cars.
This Hawk is sporting a second front cross-member. Never know when you might need one.
Even our healing rains can’t keep the poorly-designed grafted-on Hawk fin from rusting.
The dashboard on this one is still mostly intact. The early coupes had decidedly unconventional instrument panels, and I’m not too sure how much ergonomics played into their design. Those instruments are practically in one’s lap.
Which probably explains why they were raised for the Hawk.
Springtime; when hope springs eternal. Will these coupes be resurrected?
Related reading: 1954 Studebaker Starlight Coupe CC 1960 Studebaker Hawk CC