Survival rate of the 1931 President Four Season

[studeq]

Though there are no production figures by body style for pre 1934 Studebakers we have determined by some extrapolation using the serial and body numbers that about 1500 '31 President Four Season roadsters were assembled. For many years Rex Miltenberger (Niles, MI) made it his responsibility to hunt down every known example and record the serial, engine and body numbers. According to his records there are 54 survivors. Over the years I have assembled photos of about 32 of these and they are shown below. Would be interested in seeing any additional photos or hearing of heretofore unknown cars.  

[Guest]

Congratulations to both of you and thank you for sharing.  It would be wonderful to get photos of the other twenty two.

[alsancle]

Interesting how the different color/wheel/tire combinations make them look so different.

[studerex]

Anyone that owns or spots a 31 roadster please attach a photo or contact me to update the roster.  In the past the cars would change hands within the club.  Mostly after the owner passing. The problem lately is the cars going through auctions and the auctions houses do not disclose the buyers. I not only keep the serial numbers, body numbers, and engine numbers, but also a owner history. 

Edited January 15, 2016 by studerex (see edit history)

[studerex]

Here's one you don't have.  has no body tag  sn 7034735

Edited February 5, 2016 by studerex (see edit history)

[studerex]

Here's another.  body 1103

Edited February 5, 2016 by studerex (see edit history)

[studerex]

another  body 1054

Edited February 5, 2016 by studerex (see edit history)

[studerex]

another, This is in Spain.  I found on a google search and do not know the owner. If anyone knows anything about  this car please contact me.   It might be a new one that is not on the roster.

[studerex]

Here another  body 721

Edited February 5, 2016 by studerex (see edit history)

[studerex]

Peters 31 speedway.  body 1491

Edited February 5, 2016 by studerex (see edit history)

[studerex]

another

[studerex]

another   body 316

Edited February 5, 2016 by studerex (see edit history)

[studerex]

Ray Millers 31.  Where is it now?  body 1149

Edited February 5, 2016 by studerex (see edit history)

[studerex]

You have all of these, I just thought it is a nice photo to include.

[studerex]

Here is a better one of Cades  body 1220

Edited February 5, 2016 by studerex (see edit history)

[studerex]

Bixleys 31  body 1470

Edited February 5, 2016 by studerex (see edit history)

[studerex]

One of my favorite 31 roadster photos.  This is how to enjoy your cars on tours.

[studerex]

Here is another you don't have.   body 1334

Edited February 5, 2016 by studerex (see edit history)

[studerex]

another 

[studerex]

Is this photo one of the cars that you posted photos of?   body 324

Edited February 5, 2016 by studerex (see edit history)

[alsancle]

You have this one.  It is my dad who was born 6 years before the car was built.

[edinmass]

I am shocked that the number of cars produced was that high, and the survival rate is so low. They are great cars, and not often seen at the concours shows. There was one running around centeral Mass in the 90's with stainless Budd wheels, it might have been a 1932, it was all original. It was off white or light tan. Is that car still around or active? I don't have a photo, but I saw it at a CCCA local meet. Ed.

Edited January 16, 2016 by edinmass (see edit history)

[alsancle]

I was shocked too when I heard the production numbers.

[studerex]

  Here is another one.  Body 1141

Edited February 5, 2016 by studerex (see edit history)

[studeq]

Everyone who wants one has one. Some more than one!

[Studica]

Better photo of 7037321      1491

[Studemax]

One of our Midway Chapter members is awaiting the Four Seasons roadster he recently purchased... He's quite excited to have acquired the "Holy Grail of Studebakers". as he puts it.

[alsancle]

7 hours ago, Studemax said:

One of our Midway Chapter members is awaiting the Four Seasons roadster he recently purchased... He's quite excited to have acquired the "Holy Grail of Studebakers". as he puts it.

 

I like the 31 a lot.  But isn't the 32 the "holy grail"?

[studerex]

5 hours ago, alsancle said:

 

I like the 31 a lot.  But isn't the 32 the "holy grail"?

The dictionary describes it as an object or goal that is sought after for its great significance.  That is different for every collector.  I have both, so some might say the 33 is the Holy grail.  But not to me.  Had one and sold it.  There are 54 31 president roadsters, 8 of the 32, and 2 of the 33.  Some like the 31 for its true roadster look and the 32 for the classic look.   Both are great cars.

[Aussi John 1]

These were fast cars and would have been driven hard and fast, so a lot would have been lost to accidents.

 

Studeq say everybody that wants one has one.

 

Not everybody! I want one, but haven't won Lotto yet.

 

 

 

[Spinneyhill]

17 hours ago, Aussi John 1 said:

Studeq say everybody that wants one has one.

 

Not everybody! I want one, but haven't won Lotto yet.

 

I want one too, but I realise it is a pipe dream.

[alsancle]

So the 32 is 4 inches longer in the wheelbase which is all behind the door?   Also, the suicide doors?  Any other differences I can't see?

[Aussi John 1]

These were fast cars and would have been driven hard and fast, so a lot would have been lost to accidents. Studeq say everybody that wants one has one. Not everybody! I want one, but haven't won Lotto yet.

[Jet Doc]

Rex,

Did you include the serial number, and body number of the '31 that went to Chile?

Jeff

[studerex]

2 hours ago, Jet Doc said:

Rex,

Did you include the serial number, and body number of the '31 that went to Chile?

Jeff

Yep, It's in the roster.

[Buffalowed Bill]

I thought Rex or Dick would have answered the question regarding, the differences between the 31 and 32, but a couple come to mind. The dash gauges are  different, the 31 has rectangular gauges and the 32 has round gauges.  The wheel size went from 19" in 31 to 18" in 32. I don't think that the chrome artillery wheels were available on the 31 Stude, but they had been available on the 1931 model 42 Pierce Arrow.  The carburetor went from an updraft in 31, to downdraft in 32. 1932 was the first year for the synchromesh transmission. The later 31's that used the external salon horns, used larger horn with a "stovepipe" horn cover. The 32 used a horn that was smaller and had a rounded cover. The 1932 used the bird on the radiator cap the 31 didn't. You will see 31's with the bird cap, but technically it's not correct. We 31 owners use them because we like them.

 

Studebaker didn't like set production year model changes. Instead they introduced the models when they saw fit. They continued to make running changes within the model run. The timing of the running changes, coincided closely to the model 42, model 54 and the 836/1236 Pierce Arrow, as well. As always the experts will step in to clean up anything that I got wrong.

[V.Milke]

I hadn't checked the forum for a good while. Interesting to see such a post, making an internet picture roster of surviving cars. I hope we could have the same for many other interesting models in other brands.

 

Agreed, to my eyes, the President Four Season Roadster has to be the most significant Studebaker of all. Just gorgeous!

 

Victor

[M29C3284]

Here's a few more pictures of body no. 1054, before and after restoration.

Edited June 13, 2018 by M29C3284 (see edit history)

[alsancle]

Love the colors, but just thinking about the amount of work there makes me tired.

[studerex]

Yes Goran did a great restoration on that car.  I had 2 for him to choose from and he took the bigger challenge for sure.