I think I have it
right. Richard Nixon with someone from the State Department had a hand in
having Porsche produce a radically different car, smaller  wheel base, a
radically different engine and suspension system and present these to
Studebaker for evaluation.

This was happening at the same time line as the introduction of the Mercedes
and the idea of VW being distributed by SP.
--------------------

According to an old Porsche list the models numbers assigned to Stude<br>
were:

542 -- Studebaker Saloon 1952-1954
633 -- Studebaker Saloon prototype
-- 


 This sounds like Porsche designed/built cars for Studebaker.  What I am 
referring to is a Porsche powered Studebaker Lark factory prototype.  I 
believe that the one I saw was a Porsche engine in a '59-'60 Lark sedan 
(2 dr.?).    Gary L.  <P>
Dec 2004
(Actually, Jeff, you are closer to the truth than you knew!)  The 
Porsche-engined '59 Lark was built as a test bed by Curtis-Wright in early 
1959.  The entire transaxle and torsion bar suspension from the Porsche was 
used.  Curtis-Wright also manufactured an adapter to install - guess what? - 
a Wankel rotary engine.  Curtis-Wright owned manufacturing rights to the 
rotary engine, but the relationship between C-W and Studebaker ended before 
a Wankel could be installed in the car and C-W later sold the Wankel rights 
to Mazda.  The Lark with the Porsche engine - and another Lark with a 
prototype air suspension system (was destroyed later in a fire) - were sold 
off by C-W.

See http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Garage/7365/docs/history.html for a 
short rotary engine history.

I did find the car, its current owner, and a former owner.  It's about 120 
miles from my house, so I'm tempted to go see it.  I am getting some more 
info and pictures.  It's not currently on the road, hasn't been for maybe 10 
years, needs some minor work.  But, it exists and the documentation is very 
good.  Stay tuned for more info!