Every yard-find gallery tells a story, but some tell several at once, particularly when it’s a place like Eric’s. And unlike some other such places where forgotten classics sit quietly among the grass and trees, these cars don’t just lie around and rot for a change. Eric is an interesting guy, and he’s constantly buying, selling, or trading cars. I’ve been to his place a few times, and every time the yard is rearranged with things coming and going.
We actually saw Eric’s place last week at CC, featuring classic era finds. This time, we’ll check out what else I’ve found, starting with perhaps one of the rarest; a 1958 Imperial convertible, one of 675 built that year. (No 1958 Imperials at CC, but a 1959 has been featured.)
Some vehicles go into Eric’s barn, where there’s a full shop with a lift (here showing some hot rod projects). He also has his friends come and help with different projects, or they bring their own cars to work on.
Here, a pair of Willy’s/Jeep wagons, surrounded by related parts and other stuff.
Elsewhere, parts are stacked and gathered in places, waiting to be reused… at some point.
I caught this trio of 1970-1971 Ford Rancheros in 2024, but they were sold and no longer around during my most recent visit.
Another interesting find from 2026, a hot-rodded ’57-’58 Studebaker Hawk.
Foreign makes are found as well. Here’s a Hillman Husky wagon.
And to close, here’s our host, Eric, and his Studebaker President behind him.
Anyone recognize what car donated the Hawk’s roof?
It looks maybe like early 60s Ford Starliner or Edsel Ranger profile, but tough to tell given the camera angle. The roof looks a bit long which demonstrates how the Studebaker body is smaller than the full sized donor.
I’m thinking a ’57 or ’58 Studebaker two door hardtop. It might be a simple swap as the basic body structure is the same.
Rick, your comment got me looking further- the 58 Packard fish nosed Hawk did have such a roof design. I think it is the only forward sloped C-pilar as all Studebaker Hawks up through 61 had the reverse slant C-pilar with the wrap around rear window.
Almost certainly a 1958 Studebake Starlight hardtop. This was the 1-year hardtop on the standard (non-Hawk) line. There was very little of the passenger compartments of the two lines that was shared, so this surely involved a good deal of fabrication.
Photo #5: three radiator grills
I’m throwing my hat in the ring and guessing they came off a Chrysler product. Sometime in the early to mid 60’s. Just can’t find a picture yet.
The first photo looks like a crashed spacecraft, but too much vegetation to be area 51.
Bottom grille looks like Mercury Comet. Eric seems like an interesting dude.
I believe all three grilles belong to a Comet. From the top; 1960,1962,1961.
Hillman Huskys were not uncommon back in the day. Their rather unique format, a precursor to the modern hatchback, made them an appealing buy for young families.
Eric is living his dream.
Is that a blue ’57 NYer convert lurking in the background! I had a black ’58, 392 hemi, a great car. Eric is an interesting guy, like him I bought and flipped a lot of vintage cars for 40 years, it was a bit less cluttered at my place though and no shop with a lift 🙁
Another collector. What would really interest me would be a psychological study of them more so than the cars.
I certainly hope both those wild Chrysler rag tops get saved and taken out of the rain soon .
I bet any oldtimer would enjoy looking through all this stuff, I know I would .
-Nate