Early 1920s Studebaker ?

3 minute(s) of a 173 minute read

Hello Garry

I sent an email yesterday and had a reply from Andrew Beckman this morning. I have just sent him a reply with another question regarding numbers of RHDrive Light Sixes in 1920. He was able to tell me that my car would have been built in South Bend.

Hi Scott.

Certainly your theory about the savings in Tariffs payable is very valid. As you will see in my next post #152, the Australian market was very influenced by  the need to appear "British Empire Built" in the  period following WW1. 

Thank You Scott

My next question was to be around the origin of the colour "Belgium Blue" . At this time many older people in Australia and New Zealand are reminded of loved ones lost in the battles 100 years ago in Northern France and Belgium. ( ANZACS) I know that there was some involvement of American Soldiers in WW1 too and wonder if the choice of the colour name had some patriotic relevance. My own mother, then a teenager, lost two of her brothers as young soldiers, one in the battles in Flanders.  That war (1914-18) would have been over less than two years by 1920.

Hello Studeboy

Thank you for your input, My car is undoubtedly blue and there is nothing that would suggest that it has ever been anything else. I doubt that in the comparatively short time it was in use prior to WW2 it would have had a bare-metal repaint. Just where the name "Belgium Blue" came from I cannot remember and will have to retrace my steps to discover it's origin. I am told by a Historian Friend who claims to be an expert on paint colours that Belbium Blue is a frequently used colour on British cars. As my car was quite apparently built for the export market perhaps the Blue paint was part of the package. i.e. Right hand drive, wire spoke wheels and magneto ignition. In addition it has, now badly worn Nickel on the radiator surround and windscreen frame and pillars which looks to be original.

Could you please send me an email with the copy of the parts book page as it tends to be a little blurred on my screen.  [email protected].

I hope to collect the top while I am away next week. I believe that this could very well be the original material. I have one of the rear side screens and it is a black "ripple" rubberised material with a khaki twill on the inside. It is interesting that it has "Lift the Dot fastenings and that those on one half ate fitted "back to front" as they must have been intended to face into the car. I will not know exactly where on the car this section was fitted until I get the rest of the hood and fit it to the car. Apart from the translucent (window) section the fabric is in excellent condition, considering its age.

The more I try to sort out my car's history the more it tries to hide from me  and confuse me.