1:18 scale Studillac

Here's a small scale Studillac I made, starting with a '53 Stude model. It has a 331 Caddy motor with the two 6 volt batteries in the trunk and a floor shifter. Enjoy!

Another Bill Frick Motors Ad.

This one sent in by Hank Meldrum. Thanks!

Click on ad for larger view.

Bill Frick Special

Though not a Studillac, these cars are as closely related to Bill Frick as anything is.

Found here.

Frick, Bill (USA) Bill Frick acquired early a reputation for his sporty, Cadillac-powered creations on Ford and Studebaker bases (the so-called Fordillacs and Studillacs), as well as the Cadillac-Allard and the two Cadillacs entered at Le Mans in 1950. Bill Frick Motors of Rockville Center, Long Island, offered no catalogue creations; all cars were special order and ran a minimum of $8750. There was a 4-5 month wait (7 months for a more spectacular creation). The Frick special illustrated below is 17 feet long and 6 feet wide; it cost less than the 1956 Lincoln MKII Continental yet provided superior appointments and performance (0-60 mph in 7.2 secs.) In an article by staff writer Charles Ericson, published in Sports Cars Illustrated in May 1956, we are told that the wheel base was 114 inches; there was also a double air cleaner to lower the hood height; the interior is upholstered in unborn calf hide; hardware is German silver; the car has a wood-rimmed 18¼-inch diameter. steering wheel; the Stewart Warner instruments have faces by Vignale; they include a clock, speedometer, tachometer, oil temp. and pressure gauge, water temp. gauge, manifold vacuum and fuel gauge. Frick Specials weighed from 3600 to 3800 lbs. The article cited mentions another Bill Frick special 4-pass coupe with sliding roof, in the making in 1956, with an Eldorado motor coupled to a 4-speed, manual, Pont-a-Mousson gearbox and Hi-Tork rear end [see Dream Cars section for 1957]. (SCI, 5/56)

Road and Track tests the Studillac

Another great article submitted by Michael Bostedt.

MI Tests the Studillac

Quite an interesting article by Mechanics Illustrated. Sent in by Michael Bostedt.

Click any pic for larger view.

Studillac Pics

Here's a nice little picture of a '54 Studillac from a 1961 car show brochure, the show was put on by the Asphalt Angels in Richmond, VA. I know nothing more about the car.
Provided by Leonard Shephard.

Studillac 'Factory' Photos

Found these on the web here. Very cool indeed. Yes, I know the main focus is the Mercedes, but note Bill Frick's shop in the background, and of course the Studillac. I suppose you might call these 'Studillac factory Photos'.

Here's a close up of the Studillac. Note the wire wheels.

A Mysterious Survivor

This is an extremely cool "Barn Car" 1953 Studebaker Commander Starliner that belongs to a guy in my SDC Chapter. The car is pretty much original and unrestored, but has a nice little surprise sitting between it's fenders. You guessed it, a Cadillac V8, of 1953 vintage, making it the famous 331. It has the LaSalle top-loader 3 speed trans. This car looks stock, pretty much sounds stock, but can blow the doors of any stock '53 Stude. (Don't get me wrong, the '53 Studes are fantastic cars)
Many pics here by Jeff Rice, and a few here by me.

This car is in great condition, considering it's spent the last 20 years under a lean-to on the coast of Georgia. This one runs great, and I got to put the first mile on it in the twenty+ years it's been off the road. I drove it around and around in the parking lot of a Stude show. The minute I parked it back into its space, the lower radiator hose CLAMP was so rusty that it actually broke; yet the hose was still OK.

The owners are going to fix this one up and drive it. Power to them! The black '62 Stude GT Hawk in the middle picture belongs to them as well.