I’m finally ready to pass on my family heirloom, a 1963 Daytona Convertible, that my grandfather bought new. 70K original miles and runs well.
I just put 90 miles on it today. 65mph on the highway and big climbs in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Runs great! (I was the only Stude at the https://www.breakfastclubrally.com/ !)
It’s a great “driver” car, that could use new front upholstery. Have some topless fun!
I dragged it out of my grandfather’s basement in 1996, where it had been sitting since 1982, when Grandma died. I got it running again and drove it across the country to California. I’m only driving a few hundred miles a year, and I’ve lost interest. (I’ve added all of 13K miles in 28 years!) No other family members are interested in taking it on, so here it is. My grandfather purchased it new when I was four months old, I’ve been riding in it ever since. He bought it on a snowy day, in Troy NY, in February 1964. (Who buys a convertible when it’s snowing, a few months after they closed the factory? He got it for about 25% off of sticker price.)
It was our wedding car, and was pictured in the Studebaker club magazine (Turning Wheels) in early 1998.
It’s hard to let it go! Hagerty #3 “Good” value is $21,000. Given it’s originality, including all the upholstery, but with a few “needs”, I’m sending it off to Bring-A-Trailer, and see what happens!
Pros:
- 70 K original Miles, with many receipts, including the original window sticker. –
- Always garaged! Original upholstery in a convertible is quite rare due to sun exposure, including the Studebaker logo in the middle of the back seat.
- Repainted in 1996, with minor (not structural) rust repair. (new steel rocker panels, and front fenders). Original color is “Rose Mist”, but the body shop made it slightly more copper-brown color.
- The white top was custom fabricated by an upholstery shop around 1998, and has rarely been up since then. (If it’s raining, I drive a different car!) The power top works great.
- The brakes were pulling a few years ago, and a local classic car shop did the master cylinder, pads, and a drum or two, at a cost of $2700. It brakes quickly and in a straight line.
- Carb was rebuilt, and the block was flushed out with new freeze plugs, a few years ago, by the famous Studebakers West.
Cons:
- Splits in the front upholstery.
- Small welded replacement steel on passenger floor. High quality work. (I didn’t know it was there until a Stude expert had me look in all the usual spots, including the trunk floor and trunk hinge areas.)
- Wheels need balancing. Tires are old, but have alot of tread, and have never been in the sun.
- Windshield washer reservoir does not work, and there are no wiper blades installed. Again, this is a fair weather car!
- A few small garage nicks from opening a door in the adjacent parking spot. Excellent paint otherwise.
- Carpets are original, and not all that attractive. I have very thick custom matching (Stude logo) mats on top of them.
- 1962 taillights. My Aunt drove it to college and backed into something. Newman and Altman, in the late 1960s, only had 1962 replacement parts!
That’s about it! Ask questions at studbkr@yahoo.com, or text me at 408-202-8170. The car is located 5 miles north of San Jose, California.
AlphaRoaming 