Thread by @iowahawkblog

Today's episode of #DavesCarIDService is brought to you by the all-new 1956 Studebaker Golden Hawk -- the car that's irresistible to clowns!

Despite the restyling of Raymond Loewy's immortal '53 Starlight design and innovative clown ad campaign, by 1956 Studebaker was in an inexorable slide to doom.

Then, somehow, in 1961, their ad men declared MOAR CLOWNS.

Studebaker died in 1963.

*Studebaker's South Bend plant closed in 1963 after making 1964 car models, and a limited run of '65s were made in Canada. Shame, because Studebaker made some quite beautiful cars, like the 1953 Starliner and 1963 Avanti, both by Raymond Loewy Associates.

Before diving into today's batch of car IDs, a quick reminder to 1. check your politics at the door, 2. tag your ID requests with #DavesCarIDService, and 3. we prefer those mystery cars from your old family albums.

My beloved Aussie pals at Alaskan Rock Vodka sponsored my ill-fated 2016 Cannonball Run entry, so they get to jump to the front of the ID line. Close, but no cigar here; the half-buried wagon is a 1963 Dodge Polara.

https://twitter.com/AlaskanRock/status/1485384774340743168

*That Cannonball Run saga resulted in my only known mention in the Washington Post, but that's a story for another day.

But I encourage you to enjoy the refreshing taste and beautiful bottles of Alaskan Rock Vodka, wherever fine spirits are sold.

Gramps is already perfecting his gangster lean in a 1927 Chevy coupe. Gotta say straw boater hats deserve a comeback.

https://twitter.com/ward_beecher/status/1486728015304278028

It's time for a 1927 Chevy... Twin! Spin! Mom is modeling her Addie Pray bob atop another '27, this one with a very common ornamental good luck grille horseshoe. Could be early 30s; when Depression hit, people held on to their cars longer.

https://twitter.com/JamesARogers7/status/1487203208971837444

The Gus Grissom buzzcut groom and his lovely bride are puttin' on the Ritz here, getting into a 1960 Cadillac Sedan DeVille.

https://twitter.com/WesternMan18/status/1485999524313186316

Great Gram & Gramps are sweating it out in the Florida sun in front of a 1937 or 38 Buick Special slantback sedan. If the photographer had focused a bit more I could tell you which year.

https://twitter.com/William78600178/status/1484927646404423693

GAAHHH! I see two 1932 Ford coupes here, inside row 1 and outside row 2. Outside row 1 is a 1937-38 Ford coupe. If those racers knew what they were worth today, they'd be cursing themselves for using 'em as dirt track door bangers.

https://twitter.com/BrianRinging/status/1484618777539100674

I am simultaneously horrified and delighted seeing '32 Fords used as jalopy racers. Most amazing barn find I ever witnessed was in downstate IL. Old 1950s speedway racer dude who stashed away 10 '32 Ford coupes for racing projects, then wisely sat on 'em as value went up.

**Old dude wanted to sell them all as a package. Some hot rod friends and I tried to organize a syndicate to buy and divide them amongst us, but a mystery guy in MN bought them all up. It was... a lot of money.

Enough of Dave's automotive memoirs, back to the IDs. This wallflower in saddle shoes is standing aside a 1949 Lincoln Cosmopolitan, the first major Lincoln postwar restyle.

https://twitter.com/fobrg/status/1486441811434426378

*1949 model year is when most brands introduced their modern postwar designs, and Lincolns were among the most radical changes; here's a '48 v '49 Lincoln.

Albatross? How dare you! I could totally see this 1961 Ford Fairlane Town Sedan as stealth sleeper street racing car.

https://twitter.com/potroastnut/status/1484963289507397632

A 1958 Chevy Biscayne 4 door sedan, and I suspect the young cowpoke there was quite a Roy Rogers fan.

https://twitter.com/VeryTiredMom/status/1484949101598986246

These wacky back-to-nature Thoreaus went roughing it in (1) a 1963-71 International Scout 80 or 800, and (1 and 2) a 1970-71 Jeep Gladiator J20 pickup.

https://twitter.com/wesleywood73/status/1483831474285686788

*

A toughie here, but I strongly suspect a 1923-25 Maxwell. Not just saying that because of Jack Benny, but embossed running board splash apron. Gotta love the kid on running board at least *trying* to smile.

https://twitter.com/JeffPow/status/1483796538149253120

Well hot-cha-cha, Great Auntie was the "It" girl of Patoka in her circa 1927 Durant (or Durant's lower price model Star) rumble seat roadster.

https://twitter.com/ejmortsfield/status/1482810640939077645

Yes, I also wonder who the It Girl of Patoka is today.

Good gravy, I believe you are behind the wheel of a first year 1961 Jaguar XKE here. The other 2 cars are similar year Jag Mk II saloons; I suspect this is a Jaguar showroom in 1961 or late 1960.

https://twitter.com/SCOAMT/status/1487164028413779971

Always enjoy old farming pics from my Hawkeye homeland. This would have to be very late 40s at earliest, truck is 1949-53 Studebaker R-series; tractor a circa 1948 Massey-Harris 30; and that thingamabob in middle is a Minneapolis-Moline corn sheller.

https://twitter.com/JasCrafton/status/1481278894552625153

Let's close off today with a spooky scene featuring one more clownworthy Studebaker, this one a 1950-51 Champion sedan.

https://twitter.com/fobrg/status/1486442149252116485

Sorry folks, got to run for now. Back tomorrow with more ripping yarns from the case files of Dave the Clown Car Detective. Happy Motoring!