Retractable Roof! 1963 Studebaker Wagonaire
Studebaker was grasping at straws by 1963 when it was forced to sell its South Bend plant. With virtually no development budget, it was placing many of its models on the Lark chassis, while even the top-shelf 1963 GT Hawk used a slightly altered 1953 Starliner chassis. President Sherwood Egbert asked designer Brook Stevens to make the most of existing tooling and parts but achieve a broader product line – a Hail Mary attempt to save the company. Stevens must have been cheaper than Raymond Loewy, who worked for Studebaker from the ’40s into the ’60s, but whatever the case, it was Stevens’ previous work on three concept cars – the Scimitar series – as well as other retractable hardtops that begat the Wagonaire’s sliding roof. Thanks to roof leaks that annoyed consumers, the sliding-roof Wagonaire only sold about 12,000 copies in its four-year run. Rust generated by water ingress has limited the survival of this model, but here on eBay is this 1963 example. The asking price is $15,000 but there’s an option to make an offer. It’s located in North Hills, California.
So long as we’re talking about design, the Wagonaire is represented at MoMA, New York’s Museum of Modern Art, in this Raymond Loewy sketch. So somewhere along the way, Loewy must have pitched for this business; instead, he was awarded the Avanti. Had he executed the design for the Wagonaire, Studebaker fans would have been deprived of the retractable -roof party trick. Of course, customers were not so thrilled. The manual roof’s seals dragged at its progress along its channel, and as mentioned it leaked. Drain tubes plugged up, ruining the headliner, prompting many customers to opt for a “sliding roof delete”, which was simply the standard Wagonaire. This listing doesn’t include any interior photos and the description is scant besides, so the roof’s condition is a question mark. But at least we know it opens and closes.
The engine is one of the normally aspirated V8s offered by Studebaker. Two were on tap for ’63 – a 259 and the standard 289; the supercharged Jet Thrust 289 used in the Daytona was also offered. After South Bend was sold – to partners who used it to produce the Avanti II – every Studebaker was made in Canada, and the 283 V8 became an option. The seller says this car isn’t driven much but it will start readily and runs well. The transmission is a three-speed automatic.
This photo is as close as we can get to the interior; at least it shows the bench seat with its aftermarket cover. Too bad we can’t see the dash; I always liked its simple layout. The front fender trim on the driver’s side is missing and so are the rear lights just above the bumper. Otherwise, from what we can see, the chrome, paint, and lenses look decent. It may be the photo, but the sill on the driver’s side appears uneven. Anybody willing to weigh in on the price here?
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Comments
I had forgotten about these. Just one of those cool, quirky features that appeared over the years that was intriguing but never got enough traction to become mainstream. I don’t need it but I kind of want it.
Yes it was an interesting idea, so much so that some GMC engineer had an epiphany and tried it again with the 2004/05 Envoy XUV-and they made about the same number of models that Studebaker did before discontinuing it..
This is a unique and cool wagon but it’s a mystery why people don’t cotton to the idea.
What’s cooler than a wagon? One that does tricks. Of course not having a/c in those days meant that opening the roof could be welcome. Today comfort, Bluetooth and safety overrule any logic this may present.
Unfortunately, those roofs leaked like a sieve.
If having a sliding roof over the cargo area is the primary attraction…a 2004 GMC Envoy XUV can be had for about a third of the asking price of this old Studie…
I had an XUV. That was a nice and very handy ride.
Last time one of these was posted here on BF, I found and posted this picture of a camper that mounted into the back of the Wagonaire.
Apparently, this was not a popular option, as they made so few of these vehicles.
Would’ve needed the supercharger with this setup! Great picture find!
Don’t get it rocking.
Unless it’s parked…:)
The ask for this car is $15,000. As a LONG-time (45+ years) Studebaker collector and Studebaker Drivers Club member, it never ceases to amaze me when someone offers a so-so car at restored-car prices. The so-so photos show missing trim, a tired-looking interior (what you can see of it), and dirty/dusty engine compartment. The wheel covers are from a mid-60s Chevy SS car (as best as can be seen).
If you want top-dollar prices, clean it up, get better photos. As it sits, there’s a “1” in the asking price that doesn’t belong there. Just my $0.02.
As Thomas from Misfit Garage used to like to say, “So how much do you really want for this $2,000 car?”
“Studebaker was grasping at straws by 1963 when it was forced to sell its South Bend plant”…..wow haven’t heard that from a Studebaker lover.
@ MGA. Yes I recognize those wheels. They are from a 1964 Chevy Impala SS. I know that because I grew up with that car! How they got on to a Studebaker wagon is a puzzlement. Obviously there was a set lying around of 14″ hubcaps that fit!!!
No way on the wheels. The Chevy wheels are 5×4 3\4 . Studebaker are 5 x4 1\2.
14 inch wheels use 14 inch hubcaps
Stude Lark is 15”
I am always surprised by folks who seem to want to sell their car, list it at an ‘I know what I’ve got’ price but don’t bother to take the crap out for the few minutes photos take. I don’t expect the engine compartment to be detailed, but if it’s a runner then it ought to look better than a cat box.
It’s Brooks, not Brook, Stevens. It is Brook Benton, though.
I don’t think Studebaker was “forced to sell” its South Bend plant in 1963. It did close the plant in December ’63 when it moved production to Canada but my impression is the sale came after that. Part of the plant was sold to the guys building the Avanti II.
Cool car, owned one and parted out a couple due to rust issues, low production numbers due to company being controlled by bankers on the board, the company was doing fairly well with all the other divisions like STP and Paxton supercharger and Onan generators and many others. So No they didn’t have to sale the plant they just wanted out of manufacturing cars. Studebaker had some great ideas over the years but the design people were always handcuffed by the short sided banker mentality. This car looks solid from what we see and recently painted but the asking price of 15,000 is close to 3 times it’s worth.
It must have been “A Rainy Night In Georgia”.
Don’t forget GM tried the same thing with their trailblazer and it only lasted a couple yrs and they had the same problem ,,leaks
Hello everyone my wife and I looked at that car over a month ago. They originally asked 10,000 for it which was about $9500 too much. Do you photographs look intriguing but when you look at the car it’s been ridden hard and put away wet. Nothing on the car doesn’t need repair absolutely everything I value the car at seven to $1200 It’s had a crappy paint job and lots of rust spots everywhere all the chrome is pitted almost beyond repair you’ve got $20-$25,000 to redo this car. It’s not worth it. considering it’s a California car motor doesn’t run, although the owner says it runs great goes to show you that you have to always say something in person to purchase