This old photo at Dick Copello’s Flickr page states that this is “unloading Hudsons in the late 1940s”. I don’t think so, but I was instantly taken by how handsome these cars are. And then I set myself to identifying them, as it wasn’t obvious right off the bat. 1939 or so Studebakers was my first guess. No. Nashes? No. I Googled and flipped through my Encyclopedia, and drew a blank. WTF? This is embarrassing.
We’re off to Port Orford in a couple of hours and have a lot to do, so I could only give a few minutes to this. I’m sure one or more of you will instantly peg them, and I’m going to feel dumb. But whatever they are, I really like their crisp roof line.
I’m guessing 1942 or ’46 Studebaker Champions.
The ’42 was heavily facelifted which proved especially short-lived considering ’42’s industrywide short run and Studebaker’s short run of ’46s on the other side before the “First by Far With a Postwar Car” ’47s that appeared fairly early in calendar 1946.
Of course. They screamed Studebaker, but I was looking at earlier years because the front fenders looked too old fashioned for 1942+.
1946 Studebakers
After some googling, I believe these to be a truck load of 1946 Studebakers. The taillights and side trim seem to be the biggest differences between these and the pre-war Studes.
1942 Studebakers
I think the glare of the top of the roofs is making them look more crisp than they actually are.
Or Paul was fooled by the fat chrome rocker panel trim.
Studebaker brought in a new body style so quickly, it’s understandable to not recognize this design. We really don’t see as many of the war-era cars as we do with their new design.
The thing that screamed “Studebaker” at me from these cars is that little vent flap on the – oh wait, that’s not the front fender, but rather an exposed cowl, another oddity that Studes had until 1953. The flaps lasted through 1957, and were on Hawks until the end in 1964.
My guess is 1946 Studebaker Skyway Champions. From what I can tell the 46 dropped the chrome spear along the beltline and added the chrome rocker trim.
46. The ’42s had superfancy deco taillights.
Wow they really do look great .
The taillights gave them away .
Notice the truck is a ’41 ~ ’46 Chevy .
-Nate
I see the identifying has been done (I couldn’t have helped); all I can add is that the postwar 1940s newspapers list Arco Car Carriers facilities in South Bend, Chicago, Kenosha, etc.—which makes perfect sense:
Truck is not a Dodge but a 41 Chevrolet or GMC I believe.