Late, Collectible Greats
They were innovators and game-changers. Some were the scrappy underdogs, while others were industry-leading juggernauts. What do they all have in common? They met their demise all too soon and were relegated to history. We asked our panel of editors to assemble a list of a dozen examples from their favorite orphaned brands—the ones for one reason or another they’ve always been fascinated by. It’s an eclectic grouping that not only spans the globe, but two centuries and a broad array of interests. Read on, and tell us about a few of your favorite late collectible greats at mmcnessor@hemmings.com.
1959-’66 STUDEBAKER LARK
The 1958 recession proved that America wanted change. The compact Rambler’s combination of low price, overall economy, and reliability was apparently irresistible to the budget-minded. Detroit would satisfy the growing niche in 1960, but for ’59, humble Studebaker was able to beat the Big Three to market, and made bank while doing it. Offering inline-six or V-8 power in three body styles (coupe, sedan, or two-door wagon; convertibles and four-door wagons arrived for ’60), the Lark gave Studebaker something to crow about. Marque sales surged from 14th to 11th in the annual production figures, nearly tripling its 44,759 sales for ’58, up to 126,156 for ’59. Studebaker confirmed that small cars were the right idea for America, and beating the Big Three to market by a
