Guest Magoo Posted October 29, 2014 Share Posted October 29, 2014 Some of you probably know this tale well, but for those of you who don't, presenting one of the great automotive PR stunts of all time, Studebaker's giant 1931 President Roadster. Great car lore with rare facts and photos. The Attack of the 50-ft. Studebaker | Mac's Motor City Garage.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keiser31 Posted October 29, 2014 Share Posted October 29, 2014 Damn shame they burned it to the ground. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dan at larescorp Posted October 29, 2014 Share Posted October 29, 2014 Damn shame they burned it to the ground.I'll second that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RPrice Posted October 29, 2014 Share Posted October 29, 2014 Well, you have to look at it from their perspective. The car was no longer in "style" and cars were looking more modern. So the company probably needed to make a decision regarding the car. I agree that it's a shame that they burned it to the ground. It would make a fascinating museum piece.Rog Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Harwood Posted October 30, 2014 Share Posted October 30, 2014 I keep imagining that thing restored and in a collection or showing up at an auction. Imagine the frenzy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary_Ash Posted October 30, 2014 Share Posted October 30, 2014 And, for you fans of Zippy the Pinhead, here is another take on the giant Studebaker... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keiser31 Posted October 30, 2014 Share Posted October 30, 2014 A while back there was someone....maybe on this forum....who showed off a few parts from the original giant Studebaker such as hubcaps and?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Magoo Posted October 30, 2014 Share Posted October 30, 2014 And, for you fans of Zippy the Pinhead, here is another take on the giant Studebaker...[ATTACH=CONFIG]278246[/ATTACH]Wow, thanks. I had no idea Zippy had visited. Awesome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary_Ash Posted October 31, 2014 Share Posted October 31, 2014 Magoo, I don't think Zippy actually visited (pinheads rarely leave Dingburg, MD, near Ellicot City), but the cartoonist Griffy certainly read the articles about the giant Studebaker.See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Griffith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Magoo Posted November 1, 2014 Share Posted November 1, 2014 Damn shame they burned it to the ground.I think the car's fate was probably sealed when they constructed it in untreated white pine. After a few Indiana winters it was most likely disintegrating. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
60FlatTop Posted November 1, 2014 Share Posted November 1, 2014 We have a town near us where a McDonalds was not allowed permission by the zoning board to have a red roof. Imagine trying to push the model Studebaker through today's zoning boards across America.A few times I have nestled into one of my automotive history books and looked at the roadside attractions from the 1920's to the '60's. So many would have died in the planning phase. No surplus bomber gas station, no derby shaped restaurants, no giant reptiles, Studebakers, or anything else that didn't conform with today's level of safe secure mediocrity.I can see the zoning board watching Pinhead climb up to the radiator now: Bernie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keiser31 Posted November 1, 2014 Share Posted November 1, 2014 These days the insurance companies would call that giant car an "attractive nuisance". My buddy had two big robots made from car parts on his front yard and he had to remove them so that he could insure his property. They were afraid kids would climb on them and hurt themselves. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Magoo Posted November 5, 2014 Share Posted November 5, 2014 Here's a photo just before they set a torch to the giant Stude. As you can see, it's looking pretty rough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Moskowitz Posted November 5, 2014 Share Posted November 5, 2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest AlCapone Posted November 6, 2014 Share Posted November 6, 2014 the company was very short sighted. It should have been donated to a museum so that generations to come could have enjoyed it. Wayne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dandy Dave Posted November 6, 2014 Share Posted November 6, 2014 Ahh Yes. Back in the day it was just another Advertising Gimmick that had out lived its self and was removed when it was basically an old model and used up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Magoo Posted November 20, 2014 Share Posted November 20, 2014 Couldn't resist. Had to circle back and do another post about the film clip. It was too weird and fun to pass up. http://www.macsmotorcitygarage.com/2014/11/20/video-attack-of-the-50-ft-studebaker-continued/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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