Pick of the Day: 1956 Studebaker Pinehurst

can you think of it A manufacturer that had great success with styling, only to waste it? Chrysler comes to mind because several of the company’s 1961 models were far removed from the stunning ’57s. However, the 1957 and 1961 Imperials were from different generations. Our pick today is a Studebaker, a car that’s of the same generation although it’s lost the muscular styling of a few years ago. This 1956 President Pinehurst Carriage is for sale on ClassicCars.com by a seller in Waterford, Ontario, Canada. (Click the link to view the list)

Let’s start with the name: Pinehurst refers to a village in North Carolina that’s known as the “Home of Golf in America.” Nowadays it’s not unusual to name a vehicle after a famous location or reference an image, but at the time, Tony Pinehurst was as meaningful as Bel Air or Montclair.

Studebaker thrived after World War II because it was “by far the first post-war automobile.” Studebaker also developed the V8 engine “on time” at a time when many independents seemed to be lagging behind in updating their eight-cylinder engines, even if eight-cylinder engines were not offered (hello, Caesar!). Studebaker introduced the modern 232.6ci solid lift V8 engine in 1951 in the Commander series. By 1956 it was increased to 289ci, and performance-oriented versions would soon use superchargers to compete in the “horsepower race” of the mid-to-late 1950s and beyond.

The lovely 1953 Studebaker series was designed in the office of famous industrialist Raymond Loewy. The coupe in particular was more stylish than most American cars of the time, with elegant and attractive styling. The problem is that Studebaker used a shorter wheelbase (116.5 inches) for the four-door and wagon, giving Studebaker’s bread and butter a chunkier look that doesn’t match the coupe’s four-inch longer wheelbase.

By 1955, the Studebaker style was still looking good, and based on that, the company heavily redesigned the line, because that’s what was done at the time. There have been some changes to the handsome looks of previous years – yes, the coupes are still around, but now they’re sold as Hawks and have a prominent Mercedes-style grille with fins in the Golden Hawk film, a first for Studebaker. The four-door and station wagon mimicked the Eagle’s facelift, but the redesign wasn’t as pretty, chunky and all, as those lovely 1953s. All wagons are two-door, available in Pelham, Parkview and Pinehurst models, each corresponding to the sedan’s Champion, Commander and President trim levels. By 1959, these four-door Studebakers were gone, replaced by the compact Lark, a parts-bin clever hodgepodge.

This 1956 Studebaker President Pinehurst wagon is rare even when new, as only 1,522 were produced. According to the inspection sticker on the windshield, it has history in California and North Carolina (possibly in Pinehurst?). A two-speed Flightomatic transmission supports Studebaker’s Sweepstakes V8, in this case a 289 two-cylinder rated at 190 horsepower and equipped with dual exhaust pipes. This South Bend truck is finished in Air Force Blue with Dawn Blue highlights, a white and blue vinyl interior, and a fold-down rear seat. The dash has a nice drum speedometer and AM radio, and updates include under-dash air conditioning, FM receiver, and seat belts. A 12-volt alternator under the hood provides a more reliable drive for modern life.

Yes, Studebaker squandered a good thing during the Studebaker-Packard years, but there’s no denying that the wagon looked modern for its time, and boy, did it come with a still-baby engine. Abundant fins. A touch of personality costs just $25,500.

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