Comments

Great detail!

Wow, these pictures look like some of the pictures my daughter showed from Iraq!

But why be so destructive?

Guess some people feel, why not take them; they're going to sit here and deteriorate anyway; even though it IS stealing.

Is all this from vandelism?

Left to rot, left to rot, left to rot; time and time again

lol ive been there...places is MESSSSSED up

Hey, Cruiser, very interesting post! When my father realized that I was serious about getting my driver's license waaayy back when, he found a 1947 Studebaker for $100 to teach me how to drive. I loved that car! Column shift that most people today wouldn't know what to do with, and to this day, I could still drive it if I could! Can't remember what he did with it after I got my license. But I remember what a cool car it was! Thanks for the info!

Unbelievable. Studebaker closed this plant in 1963......and people STILL think that Studebaker automobile components are STILL stored there. Obvious most do not read thoroughly. NO Studebaker parts or components are stored here......much less "stashed away here". When this plant closed in 1963, all remaining components and tooling dies were shipped to the Canada plant where production continued until 1966. When Studebaker closed this facility......it CLOSED this facility and emptied it of it's contents. The only items left were the Clearing hydraulic presses for stamping. Too large to properly move, they were sacrificed after the closing of this plant. The next occupants CHRYSLER CORP took possesion of the plant....and continued body stamping, because the presses were already there. When they left......they TOOK THEIR STUFF ALSO and left the stamping presses. Im surprised somebody hasnt accused these USED Hercules LDS 465 Diesel TRUCK engines of being some sort of "lost" Dodge Hemi !!!!!!!

Obviously, these engines are being stored here.....till they can be properly A) disposed of.....B)sold.....C) reissued for civilian use. And it's obvious they are of military decent and are part of government surplus. Most likely.....they are well worn....and have frozen bearings and scored cylinders. Military trucks take a pounding. They are NOT Studebaker "NOS" engines......as Studebaker did not produce a diesel engine for civilian use. They did produce radial engines for the B-17 Flying Fortress. And these arent leftover B-17 engines.....so dont go down that route !!!

And ......NO they're not Dodge Hemi's !!!

Studebaker was a very sturdy automobile. It was intended to be of a "middle class" automobile. An affordable option for transportation. However, Studebaker was in dire straits several times throughout it's automobile building history. Near bankruptcy......receivorship......poor manangement.......really poor marketing.....very poor sales......all resulting in eventual closing of the company. Very well built cars, very poor company management. After the war years and the cease of Bomber engine production and return to civilian production.......Studebaker provided nearly all of the "pick up type" trucks to the military in WWII.........the company enjoyed it's most successful time........till sales went thru the floor in the mid 1950's. Studebaker was the only American manufacturer to bring out a brand new model after the war ended. In 1947.....the first "new" car came off the Studebaker assembly line. In 1946.....the "Big Three" had only produced warmed over 1941 models for the 1946 model year. They did not have the resources and materials to design completely new models. By the time they caught up to Studebaker....they were actually surpassing Studebaker. As the other auto makers were introducing large, powerful cars with lavish use of chrome and bold paint coloring and marketing schemes.......Studebaker languished in it's "affordable car market". They were considered "dull" by 1955. The "Big Three" were prospering...as the mid 50's was a VERY prosperous time in this country. By 1959......Packard, whom had been aquired by Studebaker, had dropped from the Studebaker front office.......and Studebaker developed it's Lark. Very popular for what it was. By 1963 sales again were in the grave, as they could only warm over the Lark just so much.......and the huge FLOP known as the "Avanti".......sealed the fate of Studebaker. The South Bend plant was closed.....and all production continued in Canada until a certain blue and white Studebaker Cruiser was the last to roll off the assembly line in 1966.

So......in summary..........NO.......these are NOT Studebaker engines.......there is no hidden secret stash of Studebaker parts that the collectors will kill for. They are surplus military transport truck engines......an obsolete version. Everyone should read the comments a bit closer......you'll not ask the same question or ASS-U-ME the same thing every time !!!

In all likelihood......these engines will be sent to the smelting plant......or sold to another country where they will be put into civilian duty.......that is ......if there are spare parts included in the sale.......and these engines arent worn to the point of useless.

It just amazes me......the assumptions some stil make.......considering the questions and assumptions were answered and debunked numerous times !!!!!!!!!!!

However.......this facility still facinates me. As this is American automotive history. A story of rags to riches to rags. The only proof.....other than the few automobiles still on the streets......that Studebaker was actually a real car company, and there werent always JUST GM, Ford and Chrysler/Dodge !!!

What a treat to see what it really looked like.

This looks like an old photo like the ones you used out of that book for the before and after shots!

I wonder how many germs and diseases are contained in that nasty sponge?

Sounds like a Mastercard commercial, lol.

What a waste!!

are those leaves on the ground?