Make Offer! 1964 Studebaker Wagonaire
The seller of this Studebaker states they know nothing at all about it, but it needs to go away! By looking at the pictures closely, I think it’s a 1964 Studebaker Wagonaire with a super-cool sliding roof! The car is currently in Forsyth, Georgia, and is listed for sale here on Facebook Marketplace. Thanks to Barn Finds reader David L. for sending in this unusual wagon! I’m guessing a few hundred dollars and it’s yours — but what would you be getting?
The Wagonaire was a result of Brooks Stevens’ 1963 redesign of the Studebaker Lark series and Studebaker president Sherwood Egbert’s desire to offer something different. The sliding roof panel design you can see above to allow transport of taller items was first seen on Stevens’ 1959 Scimitar All-Purpose Sedan, one of three Scimitar concepts you can learn more about here. Unfortunately, the early Wagonaire roofs leaked, necessitating a $100 per car redesign (a lot of money to add to a car that was listed for around $2,900 at the time). And no, that’s not the original wheels!
Neither the Wagonaire nor the Avanti was enough to save Studebaker, as on December 9, 1963, Studebaker announced its factory in South Bend, Indiana, was closing for good. As the Canadian factory in Hamilton, Ontario was viewed as the most efficient within the firm, some models would continue to be built in that facility. Sedans and Wagonaire production continued in Canada until early 1966, using Chevy engines after 1964 as Studebaker also closed their engine manufacturing plant. This particular car can be identified as a 1964 model due to it having a Studebaker engine. Honestly, the body doesn’t look to be in horrible shape, but you will want to have some welding skills if you want to restore this car.
Not only does the interior look relatively intact with upholstery that could be sympathetically repaired, I think the red and white with black exterior would be a great-looking color combination.
Ok, I admit that the rust on the driver’s side wheel well is very concerning, and may lead to this car being scrapped. But this is an original Studebaker V-8! Perhaps this car might still live again? Can any of you name the much more recent vehicle that featured a very similar roof treatment? I look forward to your comments!
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Comments
The sliding roof feature adds a bit of interest but this is still a candidate for the scrapper.
GMC Envoy XUV had the same sliding roof panel.
Yay, Gino! You are correct!
Would have LOVED to have discovered this 10 or 15 years ago preceding my issues now. I have had a few Studes but the Wagonaire was one that never presented itself and this one looks at first blush a viable candidate for restoration.
Back in the 90’s, I hotrodded a 56 Studebaker President Pinehurst 2 door wagon. That’s a lot tougher than doing a Ford or Chevy. Wish I had kept it.
I seem to remember sales literature for these wagons that showed the roof moved forward, and taking a refrigerator home in the back, standing up.
If it was a lot closer, and cheap, I could be talked in to this one.
Just purchased a fixer upper ’62 GT Hawk, entering the Studebaker world for the first time since the 70’s. For an orphan car, the availability of parts is unparalleled. The 289 V8 is overbuilt, basically a big block with small block displacement. Working on a list of issues to resolve as we speak.
Be sure to join the Studebaker Drivers Club. All the support and parts that you will need. I have been a member since 1969
And it’s gone.
Yes, the GMC Envoy XUV used a similar roof treatment.
Very good, RJ! You are correct!
And for only two years! 2004/2005. Have one with over 200,000 and keeps on purring down the road. Love it. But wish it had 4wd,
we would park it next to our 47 kaiser and 76 malibu wagon??Would never get to fix them??Too old::will leave them for next gen.??JIM
Someone got a steel on the Holy Grail of Studey wagons!
Your play on the word “steal” is a good one. ;)
…or, was it?
I had to honor of meeting Brooks Stevens in his museum while standing looking at a sliding roof wagon! (many years ago) I really liked the idea and was excited to sell them when working at a GMC dealership many years later. But, first of all, when I mentioned Studebaker and Brooks Stevens, everyone looked at me like I had 2 heads. The Sliding roof XUV Envoy did not catch on very well as it was expensive, extremely heavy and did have some leakage issues. I think that if you look closely you will see rot through on the tail gate of this wagon. So I’m guessing there is a lot more rot in other places also.
I like it, but do not want to play with body rot anymore.
I see a clutch pedal. I think this is a 3-on-the-tree, despite the seller’s “automatic” statement. Looks like somebody got a steal on a potentially awesome car.
For a short period, Mercedes also had a sliding roof wagon. It did not last long, either.
This owner has sold it to someone near Knoxville TN who purchased it to resale. He is looking for around $2k for it.
I have a feeling that this was worth quite a bit of coin to the right buyer.