August 24 Weekly Open Thread

It was a beautiful day in Northeast Ohio last Saturday, perfect for walking around the Studebaker Drivers Club Ohio Chapter meet in Talmadge.

I'll have a full report for you, starting tomorrow, on the many delightful and interesting cars I saw.

Today's discussion will deal with an automobile I saw there that is anything but delightful. In fact, one might call it go so far as to call it disturbing. We're talking about a vehicle that flirts with Ssangyong Rodius and Fiat Multipla levels of wrongness. Before you scroll down or click the "continue reading" link, just remember: once you see something, you can't un-see it.

This is a Studemino. It is created by taking a 1978-87 El Camino and adding a body kit composed of rear quarter panels and a front clip derived from the iconic 1950-51 "Bullet Nose" Studebaker. It is said that the same kit will also fit comfortably on a Malibu sedan or wagon of the same vintage, a concept that had me reaching for the brain bleach and vigorously scrubbing my mind's eye to keep from picturing it.

Now, the car itself is a remarkable bit of craftsmanship. It was assembled with care; the paint and graphics are eye catching; it is undoubtedly a great source of pride and enjoyment for its owner, who is probably a nice person. The problem is, though, that 1978-87 El Caminos and Malibus--love 'em or not--are squarish, slab-sided creatures, and 1950-51 Studebakers--love 'em or not--are anything but squarish and slab-sided, and when you put styling elements from one onto the other, it's just wrong, OK?

There were two Studeminos in attendance.

Judging by what was on display in the yellow one's bed, I have to give the owner credit for having a sense of humor.

There was a third vehicle there that, though not a Studemino, was an attempt to get to the same destination--But why would anyone want to?--coming at it from the other direction. Instead of starting with an El Camino and trying to turn it into an approximation of a Studebaker, this individual started with a late-50s Hawk and made an approximation of an El Camino out of it.

Words fail me.

This is the place to talk about Studeminos, or any other automotive topic.

--Cookie the Dog's Owner

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