Original Survivor: 1942 Studebaker Coupe
We love finding barn finds and we also love helping those in need, so when we can do both at the same time, it’s a huge plus. Reader Ranger H shared this 1942 Studebaker Coupe, which is being auctioned off at the Kansas MCC charity event on April 13th. This coupe was found parked in a barn and is believed to be unrestored. All the proceeds are going to a good cause. Find it here on the Wichita Kansas Craigslist.
This Coupe looks to be in great shape and should make for a fun project. Cars from 1942 are rather rare as a result of the war and with only 4600 built, it is amazing to find one in this kind of original condition. There aren’t many photos of it, but if you’re in the Hutchinson, Kansas area be sure to stop by and take a look. More info on the event can be found here. Special thanks to Ranger H for sharing this one with us! Would you leave this one is as is, restore it, or modify it?
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Comments
Buddy is a Stude fanactic. Through a strange twist of events,25 years ago he bought a 1939 Coupe from an elderly couple. The ladys parents had bought the car in town as a new car. It had the original paperwork and was in about the same shape as this one.
He was torn between restoring it and making a street rod out of it. I told him I would buy it from him before he rodded it. It was sitting in front of his shop and a guy made him an offer he couldn’t refuse. Have no idea what happened to that car.
Another example of so complete & original, I would hate to see it rodded. Restore to original or leave it as it is, but make it road worthy & rust free.
I would re-condition it. Restore to a “purist” translates to everything has to be factory correct. I doubt there are many factory repair parts available for this one, should it need a radiator, etc. The coupe body style is probably the more desirable—was a convertible available in 42 ?
Definitely a preservation/restore to driver condition car. There aren’t very many of these left and they deserve to be preserved and driven so people can actually one in operation.
Oh my – another reason to visit Kansas! Too bad I’m short on cash and short on time and space.
A 1942 ANYTHING is something worth restoring. Years ago I ran across a 1942 Packard club coupe in a cruise-in across the street from Daytona International Speedway during SpeedWeeks. The owner claimed it was one of only three survivors known to exist. I do have pictures of it buried in a box somewhere (this was sometime before I got a digital camera, say pre-2003 or so).
the event also has some nice tractors listed. i do hope someone makes a driver out of this car. want a great find.
IT DEFINITELY NEEDS TO HAVE SOMETHING DONE TO IT. I’M THINKING BRING IT BACK TO ORIGINAL BUT WITH MINOR UPGRADES LIKE CHROME WHEELS, IF IT HAS A THREE ON THE TREE MAKE IT FOUR ON THE FLOOR AND SEE WHAT MORE YOU COULD GET OUT OF THE MOTOR. IMO…
I like this a whole lot better than the MB 600. Better looking too. I doubt if it had many miles put on it from 1942-1946. Was it these or Hudsons that had 2 speed rear ends?
My father, who passed away last month at age 93, got a job at Studebaker right out of high school in 1938. He began as an apprentice in the tool and die division and had a hand in every Studebaker built between 1938 and 1950, when he moved the family from South Bend to Los Angeles, where he transitioned from the automobile industry to aerospace. He and I frequently over the years looked at photos of Studebakers and he was able to remember in several cases which tools he designed that made a specific part on a certain car. Thank you for posting this 1942 Coupe as it brought back good memories of my dad.
Nice memory, John.
Great pre-WW2 (barely) Stude. These 1942 M.Y. cars are pretty rare, and definitely worth keeping and restoring. I guess if there ever was a good reason to tip the argument about original vs. hot rodding it to the side of keeping it original, the fact that this is a ’42 is enough of a reason for me.
There were a few 1942 M.Y US cars made because the M.Y. introductions came out in the Fall, and the US didn’t enter the war until Dec. 7th. Soon after that day, car production stopped and war production began. Wasn’t until the 1946 M.Y that cars started flowing again, and those were essentially 1942 models.
This Stude looks a lot like the car I learned to drive in—a 1941 Pontiac straight-8 coupe. At a glance the two cars look almost alike in size and shape, and there would be other ’41 and ’42 coupes from other makers that look very similar.
I definitely wouldn’t modify or rod it!
I guess there is not a way to bid on-line (I looked all over their site and did not see any reference to that).
To bad, I’m going to be out of the country while it is selling.
I am the fellow in charge of the cleanup on this car. YOU WILL NOT BELIEVE THE ORIGINALITY OF THIS CAR. THE ORIGINAL FAMILY HAS KEPT THIS CAR TAGGED AND INSURED AND ON THE ROAD ALL THESE YEARS. It is well maintained and runs like a champ. ORIGINAL paper still in the glove box tell when to change oil; when to clean the air cleaner, etc. NO RUST and hardly a dent anywhere. Chrome is amazing. It comes from DRY western Kansas where it does not rain. Undercarriage shows NO signs of rust. For more pics and info give me a call at 620-367-8257 or go to the Mennonite Sale Website: kansas.mccsale.org
I really doubt you will have a problem moving this one–good luck.
If I was not in the end of re- condition a 58 Edsel Pacer Conv. I would probably jump on it.
We are NOT set up for on line bidding; BUT WE ARE SET UP FOR PHONE BIDDING if you set it up with Jerry Toews at 620-367-8257. THANKS for your interest.
Auction this Saturday with a 1942 Studebaker Champion Coupe.
http://www.auctionzip.com/cgi-bin/photopanel.cgi?listingid=2132257&category=0&zip=&kwd=