This rare Studebaker from Texas with a unique engine defies time
- The 1964 Studebaker Daytona Convertible had a rare engine
- Steve Styers has had the car since 2020
- The engine’s rumbling sound perfectly matched its powerful performance
Published on Oct 13, 2024 at 4:00 AM (UTC+4)
by Daksh Chaudhary
Last updated on Oct 11, 2024 at 6:00 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Tom Wood
This is the story of the 1964 Studebaker Daytona Convertible and a rare engine that made this car stand out from the rest.
It was a renowned car back in the day, known for its stylish looks and performance, and today, one of these beauties is owned by Steve Styers, who has had the car since 2020.
Steve is a car enthusiast, but he loves the unusual kinds of vehicles that are not often seen on the road.
This Studebaker fits that description perfectly.
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1964 Studebaker Daytona Convertible with rare engine
The remarkable story of Steve and his car was covered on YouTube by Lou Costabile, where he proudly talks about the engine’s rarity.
So, to start with, the car offered six different engine options – the Skybolt Overhead Valve 6, Power Thrust 259 V8, Thunderbolt 289 V8, R/1 Avanti Jet Thrust V8, R/2 Power Plant, and the rare R/3 Jet-Thrust Supercharged V8.
The car, in its classy blue color and silver accent, looked amazing and was still in pristine condition, just like decades ago – all thanks to Steve.
However, it wasn’t just the exterior that shined bright – the engine was equally well-maintained.
The 1964 Studebaker Daytona Convertible had an engine that stood at a 90-degree angle, unlike most V8s, which were usually set at 60 degrees.
This engine design made it strong and durable, perfect for long-lasting power.
Steve even mentioned that the car’s six-cylinder engines were heavier than some Chevy V8s, showing how solidly these engines were built.
The engine passed all the tests easily
He then talked about the tests performed on the engine, which were extremely tough.
The car was tested for 50 hours at 4000RPM, then another 50 hours at 4500RPM, and finally for 100 hours at full throttle – and it passed each test effortlessly.
The engine’s rumbling sound perfectly matched its powerful performance, proving that the Studebaker wasn’t just a pretty face, but a true beast.
