1928 Studebaker Standard Six Dictator

This majestic and venerable machine is being brought to auction by a vendor who inherited the car from his late father, an enthusiast with a small collection of vintage cars. 

The vendor has been quick to realise and appreciate that cars of this age require rare levels of devotion, patience, time and attention. 

Consequently, he has generously concluded that the curation and use it deserves might be better managed in hands other than his own.

The car was bought by the vendor’s father at auction some 6 years ago.

We have some listing notes written, we think, by the man from whom he bought the car - when it was living on the Isle of Wight.

From those notes (and bear in mind that the car has covered very few miles since they were written) we can glean the following. 

The car was/is currently fitted with a 1931 Chevrolet ohv 6-cylinder engine and matching synchro box. 

The original matching numbers flathead engine and gearbox are on a wheeled trolley at our HQ and will accompany the car in the sale. 

The Isle of Wight vendor stated that he had undertaken a ‘massive’ amount of work on the car and listed a few of the jobs undertaken, which included: reconditioned road springs; a sympathetically rebuilt timber (ash) frame courtesy of an expert coachbuilder; new marine-ply running boards with new aluminium trims/tread plates and rubber; and new, correct, tyres and tubes all round.

He further stated that the interior was in great condition and showing no signs of heavy wear, rips or tears. He ventured that it was possibly retrimmed some years ago in the States. 

Finally, he told us that this is not a car for anyone who is shy or doesn’t want to engage in conversation because - ‘people want to stop and talk about her, which is not always good if you’re parked at the pub and trying to make it to the bar before a coach party.’

Quite so.

There is a CD with the car showing pictures of some of the restoration work in progress.

The vehicle is described as being a pleasure to drive.

We can confirm that it takes power and that the engine turns over, but it has been inactive for a while and will require light recommissioning before it’s ready to take to the open road once more.

The car is in very decent condition but is clearly some way from being a museum piece, concours-quality rosette winner, or pampered show-pony.

The vendor’s father bought it because he liked owning it, tinkering with it and, not least, driving it.

So, it looks like a car that’s had a life, albeit a very careful and gentle one.

The green paint on the body has retained plenty of lustre and shine, but there are scuffs here, scratches there, and pimply blistering elsewhere, depending on where you cast your critical gaze.

The black paint on the wheel arches has not held up quite so well and is, variously, displaying assorted cracks, scuffs, flat spots and, on the o/s/r wheel arch, there is a section of missing paint exposing the bare metal beneath.

The fabric on the roof is in fine fettle and appears to have borne the vicissitudes of time with fortitude and stoicism aplenty.

The bodywork is free of any dents, dinks, ripples, folds or creases of any consequence.

The doors open and close with reassuring weight, certainty and precision.

The running boards feel strong and safe. 

The wheels (with their delightfully anachronistic wooden spokes) look to be in good order.

The chrome is foxed and pitted on top of the grille and in places on the bumpers and lights.

The section of bodywork beneath the rear screen is home to numerous small paint chips.

There is a small outbreak of nascent bubbling on the bodywork behind the n/s/r door above the wheel arch.

There’s more green velour fabric in here than you’d find in Kermit’s wardrobe.

It’s on the upholstery. It’s on the headlining. It’s on the door cards. And it’s all in really very good condition.

The seats, front and back, are supportive and comfortable.

It’s all very evocative of a bygone age that was probably long gone even in 1928.

The window winders - front, rear and on the pop-pout windscreen - are intact and fully functional.

The carpets are decent.

So, too, is the headlining.

The intriguingly rectangular dials are good – and we particularly like the temperature gauge, which has ‘Cold’, ‘Driving Range’ and ‘Danger’ as its three measurable zones. 

The steering wheel, gear lever, instruments, and controls all look good to us although, as we haven’t driven the car, we can’t vouch for their functionality, efficacy or accuracy.

There is some rust visible in the recesses beneath the doors, but it looks to be mostly superficial in nature from what we can determine. 

The (in situ) engine and engine bay are clean and tidy. 

The original engine (on its trolley) looks intact – but there’s not much more we can say about it, obviously.

The undersides look to have a good deal of structural integrity as far as we can see.

This car comes with a current UK V5, showing date of first registration in the UK as 7th December 2001.

It also comes with a photographic record on a CD of the restoration work carried out, 2 Studebaker Service Reference Library Books and a Collectible Automobile Magazine Dated 2018.

This car was built in the year before the Great Depression started and right in the middle of the USA’s Prohibition era. 

Al Capone was at the peak of his infamy, Bonnie and Clyde had yet to embark upon their short life of crime together, and Mickey Mouse had just made his first ever screen appearance.

That any working vehicle has survived intact since then is commendable. 

That one should have done so with such style and in such splendid condition is little short of remarkable. 

We are happy to offer this superannuated survivor for auction with an estimate in the range of £10,000 - £15,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are strictly by appointment.  To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.