Studillac

Studillac is a name given to a customized aftermarket car assembled in Rockville Centre, New York between 1953 and 1955, comprising a hard-top Studebaker Starliner coupé fitted with an OHV 210–250 hp Cadillac V8 engine. Bill Frick Motors charged from $1500 to $1795 (manual 3-speed vs automatic) for the conversion or about $4500 to $5000 for a complete car. An option was a dual-range Hydra-Matic transmission. Other extras included leather, wire wheels (bolt-on or Borrani knock-off), electric tachometer, etc. With top speed of 125–130 mph and 0 to 60 in 8.5 seconds, it was a very good value compared to the Aston Martin DB4 introduced five years later costing £3967 including taxes ($19,835) having 240 hp, top speed of 139.3 mph and 0 to 60 mph in 9.3 seconds. In fairness, even though the Studillac had upgraded drum brakes, the DB4 had all-wheel disk brakes, and very fine fit and finish.[1]

1954 Champion Starliner Hard-top
Hard-top for five passengers

References
  1. Multiple vintage magazine articles collated by Bruce Allen, "Studillac", Fleming's Bond, May 5, 2014.
  • Kowalke, Ron (1997). Standard Catalog of American Cars 1946–1975 4th Edition, Iola, Wisconsin: Krause Publications. ISBN 0-87341-521-3

Further reading
  • Wilbur Shaw (July 1953). "Studebaker with a Cadillac Engine". The Popular Science Monthly. New York: Popular Science Publishing Co. pp. 76–80, 210, 212.


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