Set your time machines for the 1960s. We’re going to visit TV’s talking horse, Mr. Ed, and check out the new 1963 Studebaker Wagonaire.
Two fabulous trends of the ’60s converge in this awesome commercial spot. First, there’s Mr. Ed, star of the television show of the same name. This Filmways sitcom was actually about—no, really, kids—a talking horse and his hapless straight man of an owner, Wilbur Post. (Other Filmways productions included The Beverly Hillbillies and Green Acres.) For the show’s first several seasons, Studebaker was the presenting sponsor, and this clip includes Mr. Ed’s weekly cold open: “Hello, I’m Mr. Ed.”
Second, there’s the Wagonaire, produced by Studebaker from 1963 through 1966. First developed by freelance designer Brooks Stevens on his 1959 Scimitar wagon concept, the novel sliding roof panel was adapted to Studebaker’s Lark station wagon line as a means to jazz up sales. As our little film demonstrates, Stevens’ retracting roof opened up numerous cargo-hauling and lifestyle possibilities. Enjoy the video.
All the rage now on TV is old sitcoms and classic movies. Some of the classic movies, mostly B&W, aside from the great car spotting, are actually really good movies. It’s amazing how stupid the sitcoms were, and we watched those religiously when younger. Mr. Ed is one that appears quite often, and the Studebakers are great to see. Aside from Wilbur’s Lark, his neighbor, Mr. Addison, drove an Avanti. Andy Griffith Show and Green Acres featured Fords and I Dream of Jeannie featured Pontiacs and Ward Cleaver drove Plymouths.
Great points, sir. The old cars are often my favorite parts of the shows.
I’ve always liked the idea of the sliding roof and was pleased when it came back a few years ago on some Chevy SUV. Either it leaked as the Studebaker did or I’m the only one who found it useful because it was gone again with the next refresh.
They killed the musclecar so that we could have smog-free air and now nobody opens their windows at work, at home or in the car.
I love my Wagonaire and I love Mr. Ed. It’s a great day!
Studebaker seemed to always be ahead of their time. Look at that folding step on the tailgate, Ford only recently put those on it’s pickups. Disc brakes, Stude had them first in the US. Too bad the management at Studebaker wasn’t as forward thinking as their cars were. You can only wonder what they would have looked like now,
Part of the reason for the demise of Studebaker was the fact that employees were paid when they were not even at the plant. A friend would sign them in and out. This also happened at the GM truck plant in Dayton. When they found out and fired the employees, the union would get them back in with full pay. My father-in-law worked for Studebaker and lost all of his pension; he was one of the reliable workers.
That clip is very 60s. Unsecured kids in the back of an open roof car? Plus how many exhaust fumes are they all inhaling?
Interesting fun clip,, the most sensible part is Mr Ed!!