Barn Find/Rare Marque/160ci Continental Engine/Rumble Seat

1928 Erskine Studebaker Coupe

NO TITLE-SOLD ON A BILL OF SALE ONLY

The Erskine was an American Automobile built by The Studebaker Corp. in South Bend, Indian from 1926 to 1930. Ray Dietrich designed the Erskine and it was named after Albert R. Erskine, a onetime Studebaker Corp. accountant that ran the company from 1915-1933. The Studebaker Corp. was quite successful in the medium-priced field, but Erskine wanted to expand Studebaker into the lower and higher priced automobile market. The Erskine was nicknamed "The Little Aristocrat" and was quite stylish compared to other automobile of 1927. The Model 50 Erskine had a 107-inch wheelbase. The engine for the Erskine was bought by Studebaker from Continental. This Continental engine was a long stroke, small bore six cylinder rated at 40 horsepower. The Continental was cheaper to use than the more expensive, better built and more powerful Studebaker six cylinder.

For consignment, a 1928 Erskine Studebaker coupe. Most definitely a barn find project, but when is the last time you saw one in the flesh? It is an honor for this writer to be in the presence of so many rare and often ignored classic cars and this marque is one of them.

Exterior
Presenting in a medium light blue wearing Gulf gasoline stickers, this body is in definite need of TLC. Invasive rust is present in most lower sections of the main body. While the fenders and running boards remain solid, they are riddled with dents and dings that only time and use can provide. A honeycomb radiator brings up the front while a spare tire hangs on the rear. Wooden spoke 20-inch wheels are present on all four corners and are shod in tires that are showing their age in the form of dry rot and cracking.

Interior
A turn of the door handle and we are greeted with simple black door panels that house release levers and window cranks. A brown vinyl bench seat stretches from door to door and provides space for two. A wooden floor greets us below and has 2 sticks emerging from the center, one the gearshift and the other a parking brake. A well-preserved wooden steering wheel sits in front of the driver and behind that is a well-worn dash with gauges for engine operation and a speedometer. Above is a black headliner that is sagging but not torn. Out back is a rumble seat in brown vinyl for your passengers to enjoy open air motoring.

Drivetrain
A 160ci 9-F Continental inline 6-cylinder engine is under the dual cowled hood topped with a 1-barrel carburetor and making 43 respectable horsepower. Sitting gracefully behind is a 4-speed manual transmission and power to the ground is transferred via a 5.25 geared rear axle.

Undercarriage
Moving underneath we see a frame that is only affected by surface rust. The floorpans however have a large amount of invasive rust and the holes created have been patched over with wood. Leaf spring suspension is at both front and rear as are mechanical drum brakes (a rarity for the day).

An example of a long defunct marque in need of TLC. A very ambitious project or perhaps a parts car to save another better off Erskine. The choice is yours, visit the Classic Auto Mall and dare to be different!

NO TITLE-SOLD ON A BILL OF SALE ONLY

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.