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This seems to be the most common photo of the Predictor out there, in fact I think it's the only color one I've ever seen.

So, other than a cool apocalyptic-movie type setting, why was this photo taken in this strange location, and does anyone know where it was and any history, such as who might have taken the shot?

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The Predictor is now housed in the Studebaker National Museum in South Bend, Indiana. It seems to me that this photo was taken somewhere around the old Studebaker plant in South Bend. I think that Roy Query took the photo.

The Summer 2008 issue of The Packard Cormorant magazine featured a very long article on the Predictor. There are lots of color photos of the car, including on the cover and center spread.

Thanks for the info. For some reason this is the photo of the Predictor that shows up often on the 'net.

What a desolate background, and the car is so pristine. It's actually kind of neat. Almost looks like a futuristic spaceship that landed in the midst of Armageddon.

As far as I know there was only one Predictor built and that car in fact is exhibited at the Studebaker National Museum. I had the opportunity to see that car when it was shown at a special exhibition at the Geneva Motor Show in Switzerland in the late 80ies. Among other one-offs there also was Pininfarinas '61 Cadillac Jacqueline Coupe.

IIRC, the Predictor was based on a '56 Clipper Chassis. Wouldn't that make it, correctly, the Clipper Predictor?

I believe Guy is asking about the location of the photo shoot... not the present location of the car.

I agree with Guy about the photo. I love to set up photos where you have a perfectly restored car with an "armageddon" type background.

Armageddon or junky backgrounds are stupid unless you are photographing a heap or an ordinance vehicle.

Appropriate backgrounds look best. A modern luxury car looks good in front of a modern luxury hotel opera house mansion or similar location. For an old car find the age appropriate equivalent.If you were really, really good and had unlimited time you could match the vehicle and architect. A 1934 Chrysler Airflow in front of a 1934 Frank Lloyd Wright house,a 1950 Cadillac convertible with mid century Miami Modern, a 1959 Dodge with California Googie, and so on.

Or, if all imagination fails, nature is always good. A park, trees and grass.

West,

You're right. I changed the name of the thread. But the info on where exactly the car is located and when a recent article with new photos was published is good to know.

Re what makes a "stupid" photo, well, lack of imagination perhaps? The incongruous look of this pic makes it quite interesting. If anyone has other, more conventional shots, it would be great to see them too.

ECAnthony mentioned who might have taken the photo, Roy Query, and where it might have been taken. If Roy is still around, he might remember the circumstances.

It's possible the photo was expected to be used with the background dropped out, but usually that is done in front of a plain backdrop, to facilitate cutting the "ruby" mask, in those wonderful old days before photoshop. I think the lighting on the car is quite good (not easy to see in the low-res version posted).

The photo looks like it was taken outside the old Standard Surplus building which was at 405 West Sample Street in South Bend. It looks like it was in the side lot that went up to the Avanti Motors building.

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I guess I'm pretty darn stupid then, cuz I think park settings, trees and grass are about as boring of a background as you can find. What kind of imagination is there in that? Plus, I think a car photographed on grass looks out of place.

-> Story of the week by Robert Tate