1930 Studebaker Limo?

[Hudsy Wudsy]

I don't quite understand what I'm looking at here. It appears to be a hearse that someone has put a great deal of time and work into converting into who-knows-what? You'll note the hanging brake pedal, modified floor shift asy and wide tires.  Would someone really do all of this to a vintage hearse? Maybe some of you can enlighten me

Marketplace - 1930 Studebaker presidential limo Sedan | Facebook

 

 

[Grimy]

Very short radiator--look through grille in head-on shot.  Likely has a SBC.

[West Peterson]

It may be stock. Many times this type of vehicle was a "dual purpose" unit that also served as an ambulance. The passenger side B pillar may be removable, or swings out with the door.

[Walt G]

Could this possibly be a special order built car ( when new) for a funeral home to carry/transport mourners?

[Hudsy Wudsy]

1 minute ago, West Peterson said:

It may be stock. Many times this type of vehicle was a "dual purpose" unit that also served as an ambulance.

Yes, but wouldn't it have a conventional rear access door?

[8E45E]

This book by George Hamlin may be of interest:  https://www.studebakermuseum.org/store/Studebaker-Professional-Cars

 

Craig

[George Smolinski]

I would think if it was a hearse, it would have a rear door or doors to slide the coffin in.

I like it, but it looks like a really big car.

[alsancle]

That is a hearse until proven otherwise.  Nicely done, but I guess a sbc for sure.

[31plymouth]

SBC?

[TerryB]

8 minutes ago, 31plymouth said:

SBC?

Small Block Chevy engine.

[Hudsy Wudsy]

When I remarked about a great deal of time and work, I was considering the possibility of someone filling in the rear access door, even though that seems like a ridiculous amount of work. But who knows? I've seen guys do some bizarre things when they get a notion.

[George Smolinski]

1 hour ago, alsancle said:

That is a hearse until proven otherwise.  Nicely done, but I guess a sbc for sure.

I PM'd the seller & asked what engine & a photo. If I get an answer, I'll post it.

[Twisted Shifter]

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 28, 2022 by Twisted Shifter (see edit history)

[Twisted Shifter]

2 hours ago, West Peterson said:

It may be stock. Many times this type of vehicle was a "dual purpose" unit that also served as an ambulance. The passenger side B pillar may be removable, or swings out with the door.

Per the photo, passenger side "B" pillar appears to be stationary...

[alsancle]

I'll say this,  if it had a rear entry door they did a great job of covering it up.

[Hudsy Wudsy]

BTW, indicating that the car is insured with Haggerty for $49,000...doesn't that simply mean that the owner declared it's value at that figure? That seems like a simple way to hype up the perceived value, doesn't it?

[Buffalowed Bill]

The car is not as configured from the factory. The fact is that the car was recently stretched be an owner. I can get the name of the owner who did the work and when, but I doubt that it makes much difference except to an owner. The engine is not stock.

[alsancle]

40 minutes ago, Buffalowed Bill said:

The car is not as configured from the factory. The fact is that the car was recently stretched be an owner. I can get the name of the owner who did the work and when, but I doubt that it makes much difference except to an owner. The engine is not stock.

Was it a long wheel base sedan and they stretched the rear quarter out? That would explain it. That’s a lot of work!

[58L-Y8]

According to the text American Funeral Cars and Ambulances Since 1900 by Thomas A. McPherson, it started life as a 1930 Superior-Studebaker Buckingham funeral coach, 156" wheelbase on the commercial President chassis.  The factory price was $3,975.00.  Superior Body Company of Lima, Ohio was the coachbuilder.

Edited December 29, 2022 by 58L-Y8 (see edit history)

[Hudsy Wudsy]

I was admiring the gently arched roofline when I realized that it flattened out above the rear windows. I didn't think much about it at first, but I think now that maybe this body has been heavily modified. Moreso than just meets the eye initially. Could this have just been a sedan that suffered an inappropriate sort of extension?

[1937hd45]

Its missing a clutch pedal. 

[wayne sheldon]

Unless someone (likely Buffaloed Bill?) knows a particular car, things like this are often difficult to know what it was and what is right or wrong about it.

The fact is, that most companies that built hearses or ambulances also built what were known as "funeral coaches". They were usually oversize limousine-like vehicles with extra seating for family and friends of the deceased to ride together in some degree of privacy. Although most of them were never driven much, they mostly went out of style, and were left out to rot and few survive today.

That said, several things about this vehicle suggest that it has been modified greatly since it was originally built. Whether someone lengthened a regular sedan? Or filled in a proper hearse? I can't tell from the photos. But I have seen a few original funeral coaches, and that thing is all messed up in the back inside! The flooring is all wrong. The seats are all wrong. It looks to me like someone went to a great deal of effort without knowing what was right.

 

My quick opinion based upon too little information.

[zepher]

4 hours ago, Twisted Shifter said:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you for posting pictures of the car for those of us that do not have FB accounts.

One thing that doesn't look proper is the truck rack sticks out much further than the rear bumper and the rack is angled down, something that would not have been the case in a factory build.

 

[Hudsy Wudsy]

I apologize for not posting a full set of photos from the beginning. I forget that Facebook/photo situation.

[8E45E]

13 hours ago, Buffalowed Bill said:

The car is not as configured from the factory. The fact is that the car was recently stretched be an owner. I can get the name of the owner who did the work and when, but I doubt that it makes much difference except to an owner. The engine is not stock.

58L-Y8 said:

Posted 12 hours ago (edited)

According to the text American Funeral Cars and Ambulances Since 1900 by Thomas A. McPherson, it started life as a 1930 Superior-Studebaker Buckingham funeral coach, 156" wheelbase on the commercial President chassis.  The factory price was $3,975.00.  Superior Body Company of Lima, Ohio was the coachbuilder.

The President-Superior body as currently modified is a possible "would have could have" back in the day, for a company to use as an 'executive coach' to shuttle clients or even a wealthy individual with a large family to have custom ordered.   

 

A period photo of a 1926 LeBaron bodied Studebaker, and a custom bodied 1935 President here:   https://forum.studebakerdriversclub.com/forum/your-studebaker-forum/general-studebaker-specific-discussion/59085-most-elegant-studebaker/page2?57663-Most-elegant-Studebaker=&highlight=yale

 

Craig

[alsancle]

29 minutes ago, 8E45E said:

The President-Superior body as currently modified is a possible "would have could have" back in the day, for a company to use as an 'executive coach' to shuttle clients or even a wealthy individual with a large family to have custom ordered.   

 

A period photo of a 1926 LeBaron bodied Studebaker, and a custom bodied 1935 President here:   https://forum.studebakerdriversclub.com/forum/your-studebaker-forum/general-studebaker-specific-discussion/59085-most-elegant-studebaker/page2?57663-Most-elegant-Studebaker=&highlight=yale

 

Craig

I always enjoy seeing the 33 President Speedway.

[8E45E]

2 minutes ago, alsancle said:

I always enjoy seeing the 33 President Speedway.

And 1928-'33 Studebaker Presidents didn't attain CCCA certification until the early 1980's.

 

Craig