1958
|
1958 |
A 1958 Studebaker car will be one of
three models, based on the engine:
PRESIDENT
(58H)
259.2 cubic inch overhead valve V-8 8.3 : 1 compression 180 H.P. (195 H.P. w/ 4 barrel carb) 116.5” Total Commander production – 11738 cars Starting serial numbers: 8471601 South Bend 8965101 Hamilton
COMMANDER
(58B)
CHAMPION
(58G)
Since 1954, Studebaker and Packard
had been merged as the Studebaker-Packard Corporation.
Cars of
true Packard origin had sadly ceased production in 1956. So 1957 and 1958 Packards were shared body
shells with Studebaker, plus enough unique features to make then stand
out. There was a Packard version of the
hardtop body.
PACKARD
(58L)
On the cowl
tag, a 1958 hardtop will be designated by the “J” code.
Body type
codes for 1958:
J = Starlight hardtop
F = 2 door
sedan
W = 4 door
sedan
Y = Longer
wheelbase 4 door
P = 4 door
wagon
D = 2 door
wagon
C =
pillared Hawk
K = hardtop
Hawk
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
President
hardtop production (58H-J6) : 1171
How many
survive?? See below for 1958
hardtop registry…
Commander hardtop production (58B-J?) : 2555
Champion hardtop
production (58G-J4) : 120*
Packard hardtop production (58L-J8) : 675
* While not planned, records show 120 made for export outside the U.S.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Identifying the four 1958 hardtops:
Besides the engine and grille emblem, the differences are in trim and appointments. The wheelbase of the cars
is the
same. The Packard hardtop has a vastly
different front end and double fin treatment.
President
side molding stops right after the door and does not connect to the chrome
molding along the fin. On a
Commander/Champion
the side molding runs on through along the fin bottom.
Any 1958 hardtop runner, project, or non-runner is
welcome here. Please contact me with additions, changes, or removals. Serial numbers will be tracked but not
posted. Any known history, options,
or stories are welcome. Jpg photos
are best, but I will return anything mailed. Dan Branch 165411 C.R. 653 Gobles, MI 49055
Photo coming…. Commander Owner:
Bernie Lafaut – British Columbia Status:
Project car After a long 2200 mile journey Bernies hardtop has
finally arrived at his door. Work
has begun, with engine and trans overhaul first on the list. The commander is jewel beige with a
white roof, and an original bronze interior, although it’s mostly
shot. A few options are present,
including 4 barrel carb and twin traction.
President Status:
Driver He says: My car was built
1/9/58. The car was sent to Plymouth, Mass and I presume sold
somewhere in that state. It was special ordered with the reverse of
the White and Blue 2-tone such that the blue is the accent color. It
was fitted w/Automatic, Power Steering, Whitewalls, Climatizer, Clock, and
Electric Washer from the factory. It appears to have had an 8 tube
radio, rear speaker and deck antenna installed by the dealer. Since my purchase I
have ended up rebuilding the engine, tranny, power steering system, brakes,
front and rear ends. It was not equipped with factory TT but I found
an original for it. It has new wheels, tires, shocks, electrical,
cooling, and is upgraded to take a vintage AC system. Plans from this point
include a dual master cylinder. It needs replacement of all the
weather seals and window channels, and I plan to convert the windows to
power (as was available) using original switches I have found. The
floor has required some rust repair and the Quiet Ride Solutions company
measured and made up a custom insulation kit for the whole car. I
also found a rare original signal seeking radio which has been internally
upgraded to AM/FM but looks and appears as original. If all goes well the
car will make the trip to South Bend this summer, but will not likely have
had any major interior restoration or a repaint by that time. Commander Owner: Status:
Keeps that tire from being stolen – Photo 2006 No other information is known. Probably worse than it looks, but with
so few left, I say a restoration candidate.
Owner: C Fisher - California
Packard Owner: Status: Ebay auction from California – Photo 2007 Had a winning bid of $100, Super rough shape.
President Owner: Status:
Long since recycled into somebodys toaster Car was at least 1 year old when it came to this
nasty end, as evidenced by the 59 Chevy it mated with. I won’t make any guesses as to the
health of the parties involved here, but I bet that the two-tone colors on
this president were probably quite fetching. Owner: Status: Rough project – Photo ~ 2004 Photo by Leonard Shepard that dates from the big
York, PA Studebaker swap meet. No
other information is known.
President
President Status: 1 Restored, 1 Project Mark has been active in the SDC since 1994, and
has been taking pictures of 58 hartops and talking to owners way before I
started this website. Here are his
personal 2 cars. The show car is White
(parchment) and Forest Green metallic. The other President is Sky
Blue and White. The blue car has
some pretty bad rust issues but is still all complete.
Owner: Mark Kush - Michigan
Click here to see the window sticker on the white/green
car.
Coming soon… Owner: Phillip
Kindberg – Auckland, New Zealand Status: Phillip believes his hardtop to be the only one in
NZ. Options: V8
auto, p/s, a/c, twin traction, radio and clock.
Commander
Commander Owner: John Poulos – Maryland Status: Original
survivor A recent ebay purchase. This car has only 18,000 original miles, and almost none in
the last 20 years. Not too much is
known of the history. While not
perfect in every respect, it seems to be remarkably original. This car has been sold to a new owner. Options:
Automatic, Climatizer, twin traction Packard Owner: Al Hunter – California Status:
Original survivor He says: My dad bought it in Aug 58 for $3200 (on sale, last
one they had) in Stockton, Ca. He drove it 30,000 miles, from Death Valley
to Pikes Peak and locally. He died in 1973, and I got the car. I have
put on another 30,000 miles, usually at local car events. I did make
to the big Studebaker meet in Portland in 1995 I think. Got a second in class (best I have ever
done). I don't usually show it for
trophy's as it needs interior.
Other than routine maintenance the only other work needed has been
to rebuild the steering pivot, rebush the front end, rebuild the
trans, and replace the master
cylinder and front crankshaft seal.
Options: Paint- 5840 Park
White, Trim-839A GR 23, Flight- O-Matic, Power Steering, Tinted Glass,
Padded Sun Visor, Undercoating, White Sidewalls, AC2884 Climatizer