Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[SEMA 2008: Choppin' Block '31 Studebaker Model 54]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/06/sema-2008-choppin-block-31-studebaker-model-54/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/06/sema-2008-choppin-block-31-studebaker-model-54/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/06/sema-2008-choppin-block-31-studebaker-model-54/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click above for high-res gallery of this really low Stude
Toyo Tires has one of the coolest booths at SEMA this year. We already showed you the Tetsu Bentley they have on display, but they also have a sweet Evo and GT-R, a custom Cayenne and this beautiful hot rod. It's based on a 1931 Studebaker Model 54, but features a few modifications... to put it mildly. Motivation comes courtesy of a Chevy 350 with an Edelbrock intake, three, two-barrel carbs with open stacks, and a "Zoomie" open header exhaust system. The custom chassis rides on an equally custom air-ride suspension and Centerline smoothies wrapped in Toyo Proxes. As you can probably tell from the pics, it also has a totally customized body and interior that makes it one of the most attractive cars at the show. Check out the gallery for a bunch of high-res pics.

Gallery: SEMA 2008: Choppin' Block '31 Studebaker Model 54


Photos copyright (C)2008 Frank Filipponio/Weblogs, Inc.

SEMA 2008: Choppin' Block '31 Studebaker Model 54 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 06 Nov 2008 18:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>choppin blockChoppinBlockhot rodHotRodsemasema 2008Sema2008studebakerThu, 06 Nov 2008 18:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Survey: Bring back Oldsmobile, Studebaker]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/03/survey-bring-back-oldsmobile-studebaker/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/03/survey-bring-back-oldsmobile-studebaker/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/03/survey-bring-back-oldsmobile-studebaker/#commentsFiled under: ,

Brand revival has become a hot trend in the automotive industry, but while European marques like MINI, Maybach, Bugatti and Spyker have returned to the limelight, American automakers have yet to climb on board. According to this Brandjunkie survey conducted by Interbrand's website brandchannel.com, the public most wants to see the retired American auto marques Oldsmobile and Studebaker revived. The gone-but-not-forgotten car brands follow names like Pan Am and Atari on the list, which also happened to include the retired Chrysler division Plymouth.

Elsewhere in the survey, respondents answered that BMW would make a great dinner party guest; Ford and Toyota have made a significant impact on the course of history; GM and Ford deserve a good tongue lashing in an argument; BMW, Toyota, Mercedes or Volkswagen would be good brands to be if one could be a brand; BMW, Mercedes and Toyota inspire people; GM, BMW and Mercedes need to be rebranded; and Toyota, Honda, GM and BMW are truly "green" brands. Outside the auto industry, Apple is apparently the best brand ever created, as it nabbed the No. 1 survey spot in most questions.

[Source: brandchannel.com via NYTimes Wheels]

Survey: Bring back Oldsmobile, Studebaker originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Apr 2008 19:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brandbrand revivalBrandRevivaloldsmobileplymouthresurrectstudebakerThu, 03 Apr 2008 19:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Icon of design: A brief look back at the Studebaker Avanti]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/21/icon-of-design-a-brief-look-back-at-the-studebaker-avanti/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/21/icon-of-design-a-brief-look-back-at-the-studebaker-avanti/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/21/icon-of-design-a-brief-look-back-at-the-studebaker-avanti/#commentsFiled under: ,


Click the image above for more high-res pics.

During a recent excursion back east, we had the opportunity to be in the presence of one of the most iconic automobile designs of the 20th century: the Studebaker Avanti. Worshiped by some and derided by others, Raymond Loewy's masterpiece was two-and-half steps beyond anything produced in the '60s. The coupe's name itself means "forward" or "advance" in Italian, and whether you're smitten by the Avanti's aerodynamic styling or its innovative approach to safety, there's a little something for any purebred pistonhead.

This particular 1964 supercharged R2 example currently resides outside Pittsburgh, PA, under the watchful gaze of its owner, John Kudravy, who is a family friend, architect, design snob and devout worshiper at the altar of power and poise. He's owned the Avanti for going on two decades and after showing it at several events across the U.S., it's likely to be the best-kept Avanti in North America.

For a brief rundown on the Avanti, you can check out Wikipedia's entry here, along with a bio of Raymond Loewy here. And be sure to check out our 40-image-strong gallery below.

A special thanks to John for his time, expertise and patience, along with his early contribution to our obsession with all-things automotive.

Gallery: 1964 Studebaker Avanti


Icon of design: A brief look back at the Studebaker Avanti originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 Jun 2007 20:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>avantijohn kudravyJohnKudravyraymond loewyRaymondLoewystudebakerThu, 21 Jun 2007 20:03:00 EST<![CDATA[eBay Find of the Day: Studebaker Taurus]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/10/ebay-find-of-the-day-studebaker-taurus/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/10/ebay-find-of-the-day-studebaker-taurus/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/10/ebay-find-of-the-day-studebaker-taurus/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


click the pic above to see a gallery

Studebaker mash-ups with later Ford vehicles aren't an entirely new idea, but we've never seen something quite like this. The seller of this car should be beaten with a sand-filled hose for attempted robbery. $7500 for a Stude-nosed Taurus wagon with a ratty interior? Wait, now, before we get all indignant, this is powered by the potent powertrain combination of the 2.3 liter four backed up by one of the world's vaguest-shifting five speeds. There's nothing wrong with the Pinto-derived cammer four - it's one hell of an engine, in fact. The manual transaxle, well, it gets the job done. But really, a car being advertised as a "one of a Kind Kustom!" may be more enticing were it to have, say, an SHO powertrain. Not that it would soften the blow of the weird visage, but there would at least be something redeeming here. The bodywork is claimed to be all steel, but the pictures don't make it easy to tell whether that's a prevarication or not. We do question the merit of all that time and effort (and expense, if the body man was working for more than MGD) of grafting 1950s sheetmetal on a 1980s car. The ensuing clash never looks right, not even on those Thunderbird-based abominations.

Thanks for the tip, Mike!

[Source: eBay]

Gallery: Studebaker Bullet-Nose Taurus Wagon

eBay Find of the Day: Studebaker Taurus originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 10 Jun 2007 07:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>customebaygrafthot rodHotRodstudebakertauruswagonSun, 10 Jun 2007 07:37:00 EST<![CDATA[Kit Carnival: Odd bullet-nose Stude replica in NYC]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/09/kit-carnival-odd-bullet-nose-stude-replica-in-nyc/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/09/kit-carnival-odd-bullet-nose-stude-replica-in-nyc/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/09/kit-carnival-odd-bullet-nose-stude-replica-in-nyc/#commentsFiled under: ,


Click for gallery

So there I was, exiting Madison Square Garden after watching my Rangers have their season ended at the hand of Chris Drury and the Buffalo Sabres. As I walked east on 33rd street, I couldn't help but notice the orange bullet-nosed Studebaker Business Coupe stopped at the corner. Only it wasn't a Studebaker. it was a kit, and from the looks of things, I believe that there might have been an older (Fox body?) Thunderbird somewhere underneath it all. The nose looked fine, but it it kinda became a disaster as you moved aft from there -- the proportions seem totally out of whack. My Google powers have failed me, as I haven't been able to dig up anything on the kit. Now I'm just curious. Feel free to weigh in with your own comments.

Gallery: Studebaker Bullet-Nose Kit in NYC

Kit Carnival: Odd bullet-nose Stude replica in NYC originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 May 2007 17:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>buller noseBullerNosebusiness coupeBusinessCoupekit carKitCarstudebakerWed, 09 May 2007 17:34:00 EST<![CDATA[Curses! Avanti's planned comeback may be foiled]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/05/curses-avantis-planned-comeback-may-be-foiled/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/05/curses-avantis-planned-comeback-may-be-foiled/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/05/curses-avantis-planned-comeback-may-be-foiled/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Avanti, the originators of the "continuation" model concept, are facing a potential setback in their planned re-emergence. There were plans in the works to unveil a car at the Chicago Auto Show, but that's been put on hold. It appears that Avanti CEO Michael Kelly has been charged with being a dastardly gentleman. At issue is Kelly's involvement in a real estate Ponzi scheme. The FBI paid Mr. Kelly a visit two days after Christmas and placed him in custody, where he awaits arraignment on mail fraud.

More after the jump.

[Source: Autoweek]

Continue reading Curses! Avanti's planned comeback may be foiled

Curses! Avanti's planned comeback may be foiled originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 Feb 2007 11:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>avantichicago auto showChicagoAutoShowcontinuationkit carKitCarlisterraymond loewyRaymondLoewystudebakerstudebaker avantiStudebakerAvantixuvMon, 05 Feb 2007 11:56:00 EST<![CDATA[eBay Find of the Day: 1957 Bonaguro Special]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/15/ebay-find-of-the-day-one-off-bonaguro-special/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/15/ebay-find-of-the-day-one-off-bonaguro-special/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/15/ebay-find-of-the-day-one-off-bonaguro-special/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

This sensational one-off 1950's custom is a hand-crafted built over the course of six years (1957-1963) by one man - John Bonaguro. If you're picking out elements from other cars of its time, you're not alone-- the designer cribbed a 1955 Oldsmobile Rocket V8 and transmission for motivation, the taillamps are Chevrolet circa 1958, the seats are from '62 Ford Thunderbird, and so on.

The hand-laid fiberglass body is original, and the car 'received a sympathetic restoration a few years ago,' which appears to have put it in good running order, with the patina of a vehicle that is actually meant to be driven. It boasts a radically low-slung greenhouse with a pursed split rear window and gorgeous looking custom aluminum bumperettes.

The car has a solid show history, and was featured in a 1964 Hot Rod magazine Custom Car Annual. As the eBay listing's text correctly points out, complete custom cars from this era are hard to come by, as many were subsequently cannibalized or scrapped to yield parts for later project cars.

We think this Bonaguro Special is a real looker, with a cohesive design language that has held up far better than most of the period pieces still seen circulating now and again. If its condition is as good as it looks in the listing, the current bidding price of $25,100 would appear to be less than half of what it is worth.

[Source: eBay]

eBay Find of the Day: 1957 Bonaguro Special originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 15 Apr 2006 17:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Bonaguro SpecialBonaguroSpecialCustom-bodiedFiberglassHot RodHotRodOlds RocketOldsmobile RocketOldsmobileRocketOldsRocketOne-offStudebakerSat, 15 Apr 2006 17:32:00 EST<![CDATA[eBay find of the day: 1951 Studebaker Champion]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/09/ebay-find-of-the-day-1951-studebaker-champion/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/09/ebay-find-of-the-day-1951-studebaker-champion/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/09/ebay-find-of-the-day-1951-studebaker-champion/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Autoblog reader Phez turned us on to this 1951 Studebaker Champion... and boy, does it look like it could prove the old adage that restoring a car is a labor of love. The odometer reads a repectable 56,600 and the engine is an inline 6-cylinder, so if the mechanical stuff runs right it could be a great find. It evidently served as a working model for a tech school, so interpret that how you will (it's either in great shape or was a mad scientist experiement).  Cosmetically, the vehicle looks like it needs some mad TLC... the ripped headliner, "tired" upholstery and rusty innards (and outards) will all need some attention, but as Phez says, "Damnit, its a Studebaker."

eBay find of the day: 1951 Studebaker Champion originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 09 Apr 2006 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auctionebayrestorationrestorestudebakerSun, 09 Apr 2006 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Crazy BABE seeks bangers to mash from Big Apple to New Orleans]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/06/crazy-babe-seeks-bangers-to-mash-from-big-apple-to-new-orleans/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/06/crazy-babe-seeks-bangers-to-mash-from-big-apple-to-new-orleans/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/06/crazy-babe-seeks-bangers-to-mash-from-big-apple-to-new-orleans/#commentsFiled under: , ,

National road rallies are nothing new for North American enthusiasts. Brock Yates' Cannonball Run offshoot, the One Lap Of America has been plugging away in earnest for decades now. But for those without big budgets, trans-continental automotive hooliganism has remained somewhat less accessible.

Enter the BABE, or BigApple2BigEasy. Basically, it's a 'run whatcha brung' event from NYC to New Orleans on public roads. The catch? Competitors can only spend the princely sum of $250 on a vehicle. In other words, expect a parade of bangers, heaps, jalopies, junkers, and the stray basketcase.

The four-day event will be interspersed with 'challenges' which will likely take the form of scavenger hunts and the like. The event is not a race (Gumballers need not apply), but it is scored, and there are awards. The top team takes home $1,500, with the second place team netting $350, and the third-place finishers putting a $150 dent in their gas receipts/future chiropractor bills.

Trophies to be awarded will include 'Team to Hitchhike the Farthest' and 'Most Creative Repair Job.' Participating hoopties must be forklifted registered by April 30th, and the BABE requires a $250 entry fee.

Sounds like fun to us.

[Sources: BABE and IMCDB.org]

Crazy BABE seeks bangers to mash from Big Apple to New Orleans originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 06 Apr 2006 11:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BabeBig AppleBig EasyBigAppleBigEasyCannonball RunCannonballRunHitchhikeMuppetNew OrleansNew YorkNewOrleansNewYorkNYCOne Lap Of AmericaOneLapOfAmericaRoad RallyRoadRallyStudebakerThu, 06 Apr 2006 11:56:00 EST