Forget the Wagoneer, how about a Studebaker WagonAIRE!

[@loveisall5520]

Growing up in the sixties, a neighbor had one of these. I've always thought these Studebakers were fine cars, just caught in the downward spiral of planned obsolescence by the Big Three. Using a chassis over a decade old at the time of this Wagonaire was like going back prehistoric. One of my friends liked the fact that on this wagon the floors were flat, so much easier than cleaning the carpet in my parents' Pontiacs. Thanks for sharing!

[@goldenhawk352]

I've seen a 1956 Studebaker Hawk with original seat belts. They were an option long before that Wagonaire was built. Studebakers were assembled in Canada from 1947 until 1966. Engines after 1964 were Chevrolet, since Studebaker was unable to produce them after closing the US facilities. The Studebaker Avanti survived the end of Studebaker. At first, in 1965, with a Corvette engine, and in the 70s and 80s with other Chevrolet smallblock V8 engines. An Avanti held the speed record in its class on the Bonneville Salt Flats from the early 1960s to sometime in the 1990s. Although it was somewhat prepped for racing, the Avanti that set that record used basically street/factory parts. If you ever pull up beside any Studebaker with an oval badge indicating "Avanti Powered" on the front fender, avoid racing it. Ask to be matched against another car or feign mechanical issues and pull off the track.

[@WylieWiggins]

There were a couple Hawks in my hometown, even at a young age I did appreciate them for their cool looks.

[@robyoung9968]

Great video, I’ve always had a thing for the Studebaker.

[@gregrogers6886]

In the early 1960s, Wagonaires were popular with news services because they could stand the film camera up in the back and had a much less jarring ride than the pickup trucks used at the time.

[@johnhaddad3401]

Two of my favorite cars were a 61 Lark convertable with a V-8 and overdrive and later I got a Lark station wagon that had formerly been a U.S. Navy car.

[@seed_drill7135]

The Lark did save the company, they just took the profits from ‘59 and ‘60 and diversified out of the car business.

[@davewinter2688]

71+ year old FUD here. Seat belts were available before 1965. Although not required by federal law until 1968, all U.S. states had laws requiring all new car to come with front seat lap belts by 1965. My 1965 Studebaker Commander has seat belts. So did my parents 1965 Dodge Coronet 440 which they purchased new off a dealer lot, not a special order. Also my grandparents’ 65 Ford Galaxy 500 and my uncle’s 1664 Ford Galaxy. Nash offered seat belts as an option in 1949. My father had aftermarket seat belts installed in our 1957 Ford in 1962. He got me into the habit of always wearing them when ever I got into a car. That kept me from being seriously injured when my 1970 Plymouth Duster was rear ended by a heavy pickup truck when I was driving to work one morning. FYI. Technically the only two engines available in the 1965 and 1966 Studebaker, the 194 cu. In. inline 6 cylinder and the 283 cu. in. V8 were not Chevy engines. They were built by McKinnon Industries Ltd. in St. Catherine’s, Ontario Canada which is not far from Hamilton, Ontario and very close to Niagara Falls. McKinnon became GM Canada in 1969. I have read some reports that the blocks for the Canadian built 283’s were somewhat different or heavier than the U.S. built versions but I can’t verify that.

[@rickdebruhlcars]

Ford had a big push for seat belts in the mid 50s but then lost steam because folks just didn't seem to care about safety.

[@davewinter2688]

@rickdebruhlcars They start to care after they scrape one of their kids off the pavement after going through the windshield or being ejected when the car rolls.

[@buqwik525]

Studebaker caught the BIG-3 off gaurd in 1959 with the Lark. Studebaker sales soared. It was a breath of fresh air for Studebaker and hope. The BIG-3 jumped on the "compact car wagon" with the Ford Falcon, GM Corvair, Plymouth Valiant. Unforunately, the BIG-3 won out and Studebaker died.

[@BillLaBrie]

I remember Rick DeBruhl from Phoenix TV in the 80s, reporting on channel 12 I think. That’s comforting somehow. He was likely a car guy back then as well.

[@jeffking4176]

I always thought that, had the full merger gone through, as proposed [ Studebaker, Packard, Nash, Hudson, ] and done right, they might have been successful. I’m old enough to remember Studebaker. And there were still a number of the other marques around. I always liked Studebaker. This style front reminded me of a Chrysler - very classy. Studebaker was Always innovative. 🚗🙂

[@henrytowne7463]

My mother had this in 1963. I slid back the roof to transport a snowmobile. They married with a 1956 golden hawk. Mom got a lark sedan followed by the wagonaire. Dad got a daytona with a chevy 283. Haliki's in Dunkirk, NY Toby HALIKI of Gone in 60 Seconds...

[@BillLaBrie]

I’m proud of myself for understanding these cultic references.

[@Johnnyk999]

The collapsing roof idea was also offered as an option on the 1st generation ('05, 6) GMC Envoy SUV line.

[@neildickson5394]

Studebaker was the oldest wheeled manufacturer in the world. These Wagonaires are the most important wagon design since the all steel wagon. Put some headrests on, which were available and these later Studebakers had a distinctly European flavor. Studebaker had offered seatbelts since the 50's. I've had 6, and all from 1960 to 1966 had seatbelts. Interesting too is Studebaker was known for predicting future auto trends. Those high mounted taillights are the norm in the 21st Century, but not in 63-66 the years the Wagonaire was being built. That no design changes lasted one year. The 66 had new grills, trim, and interiors. Studebaker needed 65 to transition over to the Canadian operation as 64 had been so chaotic after closing the US plant.

[@boboren8246]

Ford offered seat belts in 1956. Had a Thunderbird that had them in I only ever seen one other 56 ford that had seatbelts. It was not a very popular item

[@neildickson5394]

@boboren8246 Your very correct. Tho it is a no brainer by today's standards, in the 50's and lesser in the 60's, it implied your brand was unsafe.

[@kennethbode2017]

the engineering of the Envoy roof killed it. It would get stuck open for all sorts of reasons. They should have done it like Studebaker did with manual operation

[@jeffking4176]

I always thought that, had the full merger gone through, as proposed [ Studebaker, Packard, Nash, Hudson, ] and done right, they might have been successful. I’m old enough to remember Studebaker. And there were still a number of the other marques around. I always liked Studebaker. This style front reminded me of a Chrysler - very classy. 🚗🙂

[@stevekaminski5327]

I worked for a GMC dealer in 04 when those Envoys were new. They leaked too!

[@jeffbranch8072]

I worked for Delphi Electronics (nee Delco Electronics) and was onsite at the GM Tech Center at that time. I had an ad of the Wagonaire posted at my cube with a note that 40 years later GM proved that nobody wanted them still. LOL! In fact, GM was in a mode of proving that a number of 40-50 year old ideas still didn't sell, thinking these were fresh, new ideas. "Those who don't learn from (or even know about) history are doomed to repeat it." That's what happens with an auto company not run by automotive people and marketing people from Pepsi, snack food companies, etc., and don't listen to the automotive people. I've ever only seen 2 GMT370's out and about, and one of those was at the Tech Center.

[@WilliamKiene]

This Wagonaire is from the Studebaker Lark era. We had a nice 1956 Studebaker President station wagon in the 1960s.

[@martybgood62]

That sliding top is actually very cool!

[@davidzdziarek-zl8cu]

I rode in a Jet Black example with a contemporary red and white interior at four, and I vowed it would be my first car, however.....

[@ericbrammer2245]

The Avanti II, lived up until 1983, based upon the 1961 Loewry design. In the 289 plus a Supercharger, the Avanti was a Corvette Killer in 1962. It, indeed, presaged the arrival of the Mustang.

[@lancasterritzyescargotdine2602]

It was also uglier than an open grave, a feature neither Mustang nor Corvette had to deal with.

[@rickdebruhlcars]

I've been an Avanti fan ever since I was a kid and it was on the car wallpaper my mom hung in my bedroom!

[@seed_drill7135]

1965 Studebakers have seat belts. Also had electronic ignition, optional disc brakes and positive traction (Twin Trak).

[@annenelson5656]

Seat belts were mandatory in 1964.

[@seed_drill7135]

@@annenelson5656 '66, I believe. '68 for shoulder restraints (except convertibles).

[@rickdebruhlcars]

I forgot that this belts had come in by this time. Oops!

[@annenelson5656]

@@rickdebruhlcars no biggie! 🎃

[@michaelquinones-lx6ks]

Maybe Studebaker would have been better off with AMC had things gone differently.

[@seed_drill7135]

Odds are AMC would have folded them into Rambler and kept Packard.

[@michaelquinones-lx6ks]

@@seed_drill7135 Thank you very much for responding to my comment, Much appreciated, Also, Packard was folded into Studebaker in 1956 it would make no difference.

[@michaelquinones-lx6ks]

@@seed_drill7135 Much appreciated and thank you for answering my comment.

[@andy41417]

Matchbox made a model of the car.

[@jeffking4176]

I had a blue one.🚗😁

[@jimf4492]

I did too, but I couldn't remember if it was a Matchbox a Corgi. But, IIRC, the roof moved.

[@johnhpalmer6098]

Yep, my best friend had his brothers old Hot Wheels/Matchbox cars, and had the Wagonaire from Matchbox and it wad blue and had the silver sliding panel in silver/gray plastic.

[@mattskustomkreations]

Yes, they originally came with separate plastic hunter and hunting dog figures.

[@deepwater2652]

A blast from the past!

[@49commander]

Actually the Canadian GM engines cost MORE than the Studebaker 6 and V-8.

[@seed_drill7135]

But less than running a foundry in another country for 30,000 some units sold.

[@cedarhillsstudebaker7574]

Love My Studebakers!!!

[@21stcenturyozman20]

I owned a ’64 Cruiser with Chevy engine. It was RHD (assembled in Australia) and, being a police highway pursuit vehicle, it was tuned 'hotter' than standard. It went like stink! Unfortunately, it had minuscule drum brakes, which needed augmenting with a boat anchor and a parachute to stop - even with both feet and all my weight on the pedal. I loved it, but it was scary to drive at speed. (Handling, you say? According to the Australian motoring writer Evan Green in the '60s, the average American motorist wouldn't know handling if he found it in bed with him. lol) I also owned a '64 RHD Gran Turismo which, being longer and heavier than the Cruiser, handled even more abysmally. The first car I steered on a public road (I was nine years old) was my doctor's '53 Stude Champion. Perhaps the most impressive part of the Studes I had was the workshop manual - amazing detail and easily understood.

[@janderson8401]

Thankyou for showing a great example of Studebaker innovation. I do disagree with a few things. One there are thousands of ‘real’ businesses that are sole proprietorships, LLCs, or partnerships, but are not corporations. Secondly, not every family had a station wagon. Personally I think station wagons are better than mini vans and SUVs and I have owned or driven all three.

[@garypaul1033]

I still have the medium blue-colored Matchbox model of this vehicle (a 1964 Studebaker model as seen in the grill and "sheet metal" of the car) bought new at Granny's Hobby Shop on the south side of 5 Mile Road, between Beech Daly (Daly pronounced as "Daily") & Telegraph in Redford Township, Michigan, back in he 1960s. And yes it has the sliding roof, & the hunting dog is still in the back & of course the trailer hitch is still connected to a boat trailer with the blue & white colored speedboat mounted on it. (the model came with all these elements together) It states on the bottom of the car: "MATCHBOX SERIES No 42 STUDEBAKER LARK WAGONAIRE MADE IN ENGLAND BY LESLEY." The bottom of the metal trailer states: "MATCHBOX SERIES No 9 MADE IN ENGLAND BY LESLEY." There is nothing stated on the high quality plastic boat. The axles & wheels/tires on all these Matchbox models back then were quite sturdy (the wheels & tires are all one black colored piece) & the paint on the metal body is good (not chipping or falling off). The plastic quality on this model is also very good as nothing is broken off such as the plastic trailer hitch or even the dogs tail! Of course the plastic roof also slides perfectly. The metal that makes up the dark-blue colored trailer (It is clearly darker than the color of the car) is also quite substantial & the boat slides onto it perfectly so it holds in place as a kid plays with it "driving around." I have it on display on a coffee table in the living room. Considering that I played with it as a kid, it must have had reasonably good quality, although I admit I did not take it outside in the sand box or try to blow it up with a typical one & a half inch long firecracker as us boys enjoyed doing back then with any plastic models that the boys in the neighborhood wanted to donate -to see how far away the blown up parts would end up landing! Maximum distance was a tire that landed three whole houses away! ;-)

[@Bill-im6nt]

Station wagons are more popular than ever, they just call them SUVs a lot. I'm just waiting for the vinyl "wood" siding. I learned to drive on my Dad's 1955 Conestoga Station Wagon. Yellow with green trim, 6 with a 3 on the tree!

[@rickdebruhlcars]

I learned to drive on a 64 Rambler station wagon!

[@21stcenturyozman20]

SUV = Stupid Ugly Vehicle.

[@larryg.9187]

... My 1965 Studebaker Cruiser is my daily driver ! ...

[@jeffbranch8072]

The rhetoric was marketing pitch, the **real reason** for the Wagonaire was the Studebaker didn't have a fullsize wagon that things fit in with all the doors shut. So to bring a refrigerator home in a compact wagon you **had to** stand it up.

[@stephenandloriyoung5716]

In days of old, when these were new, and print media was a thing, Dodge or Plymouth ran a magazine ad for their station wagons, in which they challenged anyone in the "space race", which was also a thing then. Before long, Studebaker responded with an ad accepting the challenge, and showing a refrigerator standing up in the back of their WagonAire. Advantage: Studebaker

[@James-ik8yz]

64-66 basically the same

[@James-ik8yz]

Some came with a option Camper that would go over the whole roof. .

[@davidzdziarek-zl8cu]

No one wanted to deal with buying a brand new Studebaker in 1964, much less the Wagonaire. You were much more comfortable if you wanted an airy suburban to let your local International Harvester dealer put you in a Scout!

[@DanieltheTruebadour]

That's a dog's tail - waggin' air!

[@801walt]

Too funny. I had a Matchbox of this, with the rear roof that slid away.

[@James-ik8yz]

'64 1/2 - 66 are all 283 Chevy

[@davidzdziarek-zl8cu]

🎼Ob-La-Di-Ob-La-Da🎶HA...TRA LA LA LA Life Goes On🎵

[@James-ik8yz]

63 looked like a Mercedes

[@joshhoman]

Interesting concept, but I can see why it would fail.

[@lancasterritzyescargotdine2602]

Its failure was no different from other innovative automotive failures, including both genres of Ford Skyliners, the Chevrolet/Pontiac Nomad/Safari, Nash's reclining seats that made into beds, the stillborn Kaiser Traveller with lifting hatchback deck lid or Chrysler's swivel seats.

[@seed_drill7135]

Yes it was. The Wagonaires leaked. They were also, mechanically, 1953 cars.

[@lancasterritzyescargotdine2602]

@@seed_drill7135 All cars like this leaked, even Ford's retractable Skyliners were called "Skyleakies". Studebaker's failure was from being locked financially into 1953 tooling and resources.

[@James-ik8yz]

I also have 2 super Rare '58 Packard-Baker Wagons super Charher & a 4 spd.

[@James-ik8yz]

Many were made with the inside rails to keep cost down.

[@jimdevilbiss9125]

I have seen a picture of a television crew with their camera large size set up in the back with the roof slid open as a portable camera mount. I’d like to see that picture again.

[@thomasmcmahon400]

We had a 63, also a 62 Lark Scotsman. The dealer was a friend unfortunately.

[@rickdebruhlcars]

I love the Scotsman name. They chose it because they wanted to imply the car was for thrifty people!

[@stephengottfried]

no such model as a 1962 lark scotsman.

[@troyandog8749]

Not a Scotsman, it was the Lark Standard

[@stephengottfried]

@@troyandog8749 Sorry guys ;The Lark Standard was a 1963 model. The 1962 Lark model line up was Deluxe, Regal, Daytona and Cruiser.

[@troyandog8749]

@stephengottfried Yep, missed he said '62; just saw Lark.

[@James-ik8yz]

I have 12. Down from 15 of these 😊 1 of 3 '64 Daytona super charged 4 spd 63 Right handbdeive Diesel. And many more

[@johnking6252]

Beautiful automobile, to bad today's technology and manufacturers can't come close to the style and class of the Old days 👍

[@James-ik8yz]

Had many Dodge n Plymouth Caravans.

[@BubbaSmurft]

ANOTHER background "car" that's more worthy of a segment than the OG. Let's get the low-down on the Frontenac Ranchero in that back there. (The Wagonaire was ALMOST my first car... tried to convince my mom to let me buy it and tinker with it when I was 10-12, it WAS only 25$ :) )

[@rickdebruhlcars]

Good catch on the Ranchero! I'm looking forward to doing that video soon.

[@James-ik8yz]

No one makes the Cardboard headliner unfortunately.

[@smokey2459]

Toyota has introduced what many believe is a modern station wagon, the Crown Insignia for 2025.

[@drewcoowoohoo]

The death of the station wagon and the replacement with things like minivans and SUVs had to do with the CAFE standards. It wasn't because the newer vehicles were better at moving families. [edit to pluralize "standards"]

[@z978ady]

Maybe disc brakes and cruise control would have worked better than that leaky sliding roof.

[@JohnJ-q5j]

I think Studebaker started out making horse drawn wagons

[@rickdebruhlcars]

They put america on wheels... just wagon wheels back then. It's part of the video. Thanks for watching!

[@BertMacklin_FBI]

What car collection or museum is this?

[@James-ik8yz]

The roof leaked. Cold winter rain water. Rite down your neck ! 😮😅

[@joebarber4030]

I wish this guy would of done some research he could of learned something! Fun fact the Jeep Wagoneer and the Studebaker Wagonaire both were introduced in 1963. The Studebaker gave you a choice of two Studebaker v8’s a 259 or 289 cubic inch and with the added option of a paxton supercharged 289 And Studebaker was building cars in Canada before world war 2 and opened the plant in Hamilton in 1947 and the reason they went to gm engines for 65 and 66 was because the stupid bankers on Studebaker board shut down the Studebaker engine plant in June of 64 in South Bend Indiana cutting off the supply of engines for there cars being built in the plant in Canada. Real smart banker stupidity!!!

[@frankcrawford5404]

The 289 was not built by GM!!!! It was built by a Canadian supplier to GM. None of the parts are interchangeable.

[@Nicksonian]

Stop touching the car! Lol

[@adoreslaurel]

Studebaker once had a Land Cruiser but time probab;y handed that name to Toyota.

[@richardeldridge5305]

Hudson had a combo wagon and pickup truck before this.

[@radarriau]

I like studebakers, but that one's a loser :-)

[@superchevy1958]

Quit leaning on the car

[@James-ik8yz]

Actually Studebaker is the first to offer Seat belts in thier cars in '58.

[@BubbaSmurft]

'49 Nash was first w/seat belts.

[@danielulz1640]

Nope, Ford in 56, Nash in 49.

[@James-ik8yz]

Gmc XUV

[@wintersbattleofbands1144]

Don't make shit up. It wasn't like they were rusting in months and people were hearing about it and ordering the delete version. That was years later.

A beautiful example of a finely styled automobile. Sadly, all Studebakers were utter crapola. My mother's 1950 had more problems than all of the other cars we ever owned combined. If you were around in the 1950s you would have noticed that most Studeys smoked and General Motors cars never smoked. The buying public noticed such things and killed off this orphan.

[@James-ik8yz]

'65 Were all chevys

[@James-ik8yz]

The tail lights are the same on 54 Ford Panel

[@danielulz1640]

Similar, but not the same.

[@Nicksonian]

The modern American SUV is essentially a station wagon. Only the classification has changed. It’s like they used to be “USED” cars and now they’re “PRE-OWNED.” I am on my second Subaru Outback…tell that that’s not a station wagon.

[@wintersbattleofbands1144]

Thumbs down for poor audio editing.

[@jeffbranch8072]

IMHO station wagons are still around everywhere in abundance, in fact over abundance. "SUV" (sport/utility vehicle) is a term badly misapplied by marketing people in the 1980's that heard a term, didn't understand the real meaning, and didn't care, they just ran with it. "Crossover" is pure stupidity. Bottom line it's all in the math: 4 doors + 1 tailgate/liftgate = STATION WAGON. Period. More evidence: 1) It's in the name Jeep WAGONeer, not Jeep SUVeer, 2) Suburbans, Carryalls, Travelalls, etc. were advertised as "utility wagons" (IH Travelall ads: "This is what a station wagon should be".) back when the industry ran on common sense, and finally 3) because that's exactly what state registrations say they are. We have a Ford Flex and everything about it scrams STATION WAGON. The only thing missing is vinyl sheet faux woodgrain. Hmm... maybe I should see if there are aftermarket kits... 🤔

[@christophersmith1155]

SUVs are station wagons on steroids. They still have 5 doors.

[@eddietucker3334]

Bad sound.

[@Al-thecarhistorian]

Typical auto expert wannabe that secretly hates all old vehicles because they are "dangerous" and didn't have "seat belts". I get so tired of listening to the whiners who have no respect for automotive history. I'm surprised he knows about the great Brook Stevens.

[@rickdebruhlcars]

I'll be the first to say I'm not an expert, but I do love cars. I'm the TV voice of the Barrett Jackson auctions and I have a 1958 BMW Isetta in the garage as well as an El Camino. I did forget that seat belts were available for this car. But the reality is that we were lucky to survive back then. I remember driving in my mom's 49 Plymouth standing in the front seat. The only safety restraint I had was when my mom put out her arm to stop me during sudden starts. And even when belts were made mandatory, we didn't use them much. My family had a Rambler station wagon and we played all day long in the untethered back. Most of all, I love automotive history. That's why I started this channel. I'm on the board for the Martin Auto Museum and I want to tell the world about the interesting stories behind these cars. And yes, I do remember Brook Stevens!

[@davewinter2688]

Sorry to tell you pal but although old and classic cars are fun to own and drive ( I have a 65 Studebaker Commander, 54 Dodge Coronet with a 241 Hemi, 71 Jeepster Commando) they were death traps in a collision or a single car crash. Body on frame construction transmitted force through the vehicle to occupants even if they weren’t ejected or thrown through the windshield. Crumple zones and unibody construction has help that somewhat. Newer cars , although a computer and service nightmare, last much longer and are much, much safer. I know that Studebaker was ahead of all the big three in technical advances such as first with finned drums for heat dissipation when braking, but you were no better off in a crash than in any other vehicle. The handling on most U.S. built cars from those days totally sucked compared to many European built cars. Both my 1977 Mercedes 240D and 1979 Mercedes 300SD turbo handled much better than later built U.S. cars that I have owned. The Mercedes were designed so that in case of a frontal impact the engine would slide under the body instead of going into the passenger compartment. Just because one points out the inadequacies of older vehicles does not mean they are disrespecting automotive history.