Re: SP merger

Posted by 58L8134 On 2015/3/2 18:47:17

Hi Steve203

That view really points up how much undersized the Studebaker was versus what was accepted as a standard, full-sized car then. A shared shell with Clipper sized appropriate for its segment would disadvantage Studebaker for its intended target. The difference in customer preferences was simply too great for a one-size-fits-all platform.

What is telling about how relatively narrow Studebaker's "full-sized" cars were then was that when the Lark was being the developed on the carry-over 1958 shell, no narrowing was necessary, only shortening overall length. Width nearly matched the popular Ramblers exactly.... Probably stretching things bit to say management was being prescient when developing their '53 line.....more like dumb luck!

Steve