I first saw this beautiful 1954 Studebaker Conestoga Wagon at the Adirondack Nationals car show in Lake George, New York. It really caught my eye, and the fact that it had a “For Sale” sign in the window peaked my interest even more. I loved the body style, and the fact it was a station wagon. Of course the engine had a lot to do with my attraction to the car as well. I have always liked Studebakers, and in fact my first car was a 1962 Studebaker Lark that I drove back and forth to College. I had never seen a wagon, so that really got me even more interested.

I then proceeded to negotiate the purchase from the owner, who lived in New Jersey. I arrived with truck and trailer, loaded it up, and headed back north to Vermont (where we live when not wintering in Florida as “snow birds”). The car has been driven to numerous shows in northern Vermont for the past three summers. Having sold my previous ride that I kept in Florida, I had the Studebaker transported to our Florida home last fall. Now we are enjoying driving and showing this beauty here in the Central Florida area.

This car was restored and modified at a custom shop in the Carolina’s back in the early 2000’s. Some of its features include the removal of the C-pillars for a cleaner look, which then of course allowed for full length side glass in the back, a 4-inch pie-cut chop behind the B-pillars, and the stock “clam shell” tailgate was modified to a one piece liftgate. Under the hood is a Corvette LS1 engine bolted to a 4L60E overdrive automatic transmission linked to a Chevy S-10 rear end with posi traction and 3:42:1 gears. The dual exhaust system has an H-pipe with Magnaflow mufflers. It’s suspension consists of a Mustang II front clip, with a four link rear setup, all fitted with an air ride system. It runs on 235/40ZR 18-inch front and 245/40ZR 20-inch rear low profile tires wrapped around Foose wheels. The car has 4-wheel disc brakes, a Kenwood CD-MP3 and Satellite radio system, Vintage Air, and a custom gray and black interior with red stitching. The body has been painted with Dodge Magnum brilliant black, has subtle gray/silver ghost flames on the hood and on the sides of the front fenders and doors, with custom pinstriping finishing everything off. CN