1964 Studebaker Cruiser, 4-door sedan, series 64V
Original price: $2,595.00
On loan from: George Krem, Holdrege, NE
Previous owner(s): John and Alice Kriewald, North Loup, NE; Butch Lundstedt, Colorado
Number made: 5,023
Engine, etc.: 289 V-8; valve-in-head; 113” wheelbase; 3,270 lbs. Color: Jet Green
John and Alice Kriewald purchased this car from Fred’s Car and Truck Service in North Loup, NE. In 1976, Butch Lundstedt bought the car from their estate. It had 36,000 miles and had always been garaged. After briefly using the car, he kept it in storage, up on blocks, for 40 years until 2016. Late in 2015 he decided to sell it and George Krem was interested in buying it. As an experienced mechanic, Butch completed a mechanical restoration and even removed and cleaned the gas tank. George paid for all of the parts used. When George bought the car it had only 36,900 miles which equals less than 1,000 miles added during the 40 years Butch owned it.
This Cruiser was built in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada on July 21, 1964, very late in the 1964 model year. The last day 1964 Studebakers were made was August 18, 1964.
With the restyling of the 1964 models, Studebaker moved to phase out use of the Lark name. The Cruiser was the top of the line. This car has several options. Since some Studebakers sagged in the front after they grew older and had many miles on them, the car was ordered with heavy duty springs. Also ordered were white wall tires, split reclining seats, and the chrome dress-up kit. The bright grill, large chrome bumpers, distinctive tail panel and full-length sweeping trim make the car instantly recognizable and gave it a premium appearance. Unusual for what was considered a luxury Studebaker, the car did not have a radio. Mr. Krem added an AM/FM radio that was the same as the original optional equipment.
Studebaker make the Cruiser from 1963 – 1966.
Studebaker started in 1852 when brothers Henry and Clement Studebaker opened a blacksmith shop in South Bend, Indiana. They became a leading manufacturer of horse-drawn wagons and supplied the U. S. Army with wagons during the Civil War. At the turn of the century the company began making automobiles, starting with an electric car in 1902. The company began selling gas-powered cars in 1913 and later acquired luxury automaker Pierce-Arrow. It was hard hit by the Great Depression and was forced to declare bankruptcy in 1933. New management got the company going again but by the mid-1950’s it was having trouble competing with the Big Three automakers and merged with Packard. The Packard brand was dropped by the late 1950’s and production of Studebakers ceased in 1966 after a storied history of over 114 years in business.
Sources: “1964 Cruiser – A Brief History”, George Krem, Turning Wheels, Studebaker Drivers Club, vol. 48, no. 12, Dec., 2016, pgs. 20 – 21.
https://studebakermuseum.org/archives-and-education/the-studebaker-history/ (Pictures, Studebaker National Museum)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Studebaker_Lark
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/studebaker-goes-bankrupt
http://www.classiccardatabase.com/specs.php?series=8541&year=1964&model=99
