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1963 Studebaker Wagonaire restoration - got a title


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Back about 2005 I bought a rusty hulk of a 1963 Studebaker Wagonaire from a guy on Martha's Vineyard.  I already owned a restored 1965 Wagonaire so I thought this would be a not-very-difficult project.  I started the rebuild but got distracted by working on my 1932 Studebaker Indy car project.  The Indy car is now finished and the 1963 Wagonaire begged to be finished in my lifetime.  I had finished welding in new floors and rocker panels, got the engine rebuilt (but never started), and bought some fiberglass front fenders.  I got one of the fenders installed a few years ago before pausing the project.  Recently, a friend helped me get the engine started 10 years after the rebuild.  Faced with actually moving the project forward, I realized I needed a title for the car to eventually get it registered. 

 

I took a big risk and filled out the Massachusetts forms to get a title, sent them off with a check and a long letter of explanation of why I didn't apply 17 years ago (mea culpa!).  Lo and behold, I finally got a real title in the mail today.  Now I can feel more comfortable spending some cash to finish the rebuild and painting and get it registered.   Thanks to the Mass. Registry of Motor Vehicles for my title.  They are not an organization known for cooperation with antique car owners, but they did come though for me. 

 

This won't be a show car, but should be a fun driver with its 170 cu in OHV six and overdrive.

 

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The 1963 Studebaker Wagonaire Standard on the right when I bought it.  My 1965 Wagonaire Commander on the left.

 

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The right side door post and rocker panel before repair.

 

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The right side floor area after cutting out rotted pieces.  Note that the A pillar isn't connected to anything, nor is the frame support for the body.

 

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The floors after rebuilding and painting.

 

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The car as it is today with one fiberglass fender installed and the rebuilt engine now runs.

 

 

 

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