Black Plates Redux in California, for a Fee

Will you get reproduction California black plates?

"State Governor Jerry Brown has signed a bill allowing for the return of those plate styles. If the Department of Motor Vehicles receives 7,500 pre-orders between January 1, 2013 and January 1, 2015 for the vintage replica plates, it will begin issuing them for any vehicle for a personalized plate fee of $50. If fewer than 7,500 pre-orders are received in that two-year span, those who submitted $50 payments will have their money refunded. According to the Los Angeles Times, if the program goes through, buyers of the plates will also have to spend a further $40 every time they renew their registrations."

Read the full article.

Studebaker - Karel Staple Chapter February Meet-Up

We had a good turnout at the February Karel Staple Studebaker Drivers Club meet-up. Here are a few photos from our get together.

62 Degrees and Sunny

It's 62 degrees and sunny in California today - perfect driving weather. Here's pic of Doc all safe in his cave after an hour drive.

Studebaker Pickles - Oakland, CA

I've seen Studebaker cars, Studebaker pies, and an effort to revive the Studebaker automobile. Now, I've been given Studebaker pickles! The Oakland company features handmade pickled goods - labels to letterpress to spicy picked epicure foods. Find them at Studebaker Pickles dot com.

Hot Chili And Cool Cars Come To Rocklin, CA - Packard Hawk

"Hot Chili And Cool Cars Come To Rocklin" takes place on Saturday, September 17th. L.C. of the Karel Staple Chapter of the Studebaker Drivers Club will be showing a rare 1958 Packard Hawk - only one of 100 still in existence - at the event.

See the video at KCRA.com.

Elk's Lodge - Studebaker Meet-Up

We had a great turnout at the Elk's Lodge #6 in Sacramento, CA, today. Here are a few new pics:

Sacramento Vintage Ford - Rancho Cordova - CA

The Karel Staple Chapter of the Studebaker Drivers Club met at Vintage Ford of Sacramento today. The store has a great variety of car parts, attractions, toys, models, collectibles, signs, and more - including a '50's diner replica where a simple lunch of hot dogs, pizza, et al is served.

Les Schwimley Motors - Sacramento, CA

Another wonderful Studebaker dealer advertisement courtesy of my research friend at Eichler Homes in Sacramento, CA.

This ad is for the 1950 Studebaker Champion! "Millions of people are talking about it."

Studebaker Advertisement - Sacramento Union Newspaper

Another "thanks" to Eichler Homes in Sacramento for the Studebaker advertisement below.

"Studebaker's really rolling. $633 down including Overdrive, Hillholder and Sales tax. Monthly payment only $68.68. 1510 J Street."

Studebakers at Reiff's Gas Station - Woodland, CA

Here are a few of the great Studebakers at Reiff's Garage today. Photographs of Reiff's Gas Station and Museum are below and at www.reiffsgasstation.com.

Karel Staple Chapter Visits Reiff's Gas Station in Woodland, CA

Today, the Karel Staple Chapter of the Studebaker Drivers Club visited Mark Reiff's Gas Station and Museum in Woodland, CA. Reiff's garage is a tourist attraction and museum featuring a 1950's diner, barber shop, gas station, general store, and old-time movie theater. The visit was a great one, despite our driving a Brand X to the meet-up.

Studebaker Champion - McClatchy High School

I took "Doc" for a cruise to Freeport, CA, today. The town is home to less than 130 people, and has some lovely roads, country stores, fields, farms, and rural topography.

Here are a few pics of Doc in front of McClatchy High School in Sacramento, CA, which we passed along the way, and named after the publishing magnate.

2nd Annual California Automobile Museum Car Cruise

I'm very close to entering my car into this classic car cruise. Regardless, I'm headed to Midtown to check it out. The 2009 Cruise was excellent!

2nd Annual CAM Car Cruise to roll through the streets of Sacramento in July

On Saturday, July 31, get ready for Sacramento to come alive with the sights and sounds of over two hundred unique cars from various eras and manufacturers as they converge on Downtown and Midtown Sacramento to celebrate an American summertime tradition of hot rod cruising with community-wide participation.

The 2nd Annual CAM Car Cruise, hosted by the California Automobile Museum (CAM), will be a fun-filled day for the whole family and will begin with a car show at the California Automobile Museum. Cars will then proceed on a car cruise through the streets of Sacramento and re-park for a second car show (location to be determined). Price for car cruise participants is $39 early registration, $49 after June 30 with an extra $5 off for CAM Gearhead members.

All cars of interest welcome! General admission is free for spectators.

What:
Family- friendly, fun-filled day beginning with a car show at the California Automobile Museum, a car cruise through the streets of Sacramento, and a final car show.

When:
Saturday, July 31, 2010

Cost:
Price for car cruise is $39 early registration, $49 after June 30 with an extra $5 off for CAM Gearhead members. General admission is free for spectators.

Click here to visit the Car Cruise web page.

1955 - Studebaker Advertisement - SacBee

"Studebaker ... so much better made ... worth more when you trade.

In looks alone, Studebaker is far, far ahead - the winner of 34 important Style Awards."

The Studebaker dealer in the ad, Chester Palmer, 515 Riverside Ave, Roseville, CA, is no longer a building; it's an empty lot. Love the ad though!

Many thanks to Eichlerific for this ad.

Reiff's Gas Station - Woodland, CA

I picked up a business card for Reiff's Gas Station at the California Automobile Museum in Sacramento, California. I was amazed by Reiff's website and now must book a tour. A bit about Reiff's:

"Mark started his collection with the purchase of a 1930's Wayne Gas Pump at a neighborhood garage sale. Since then he has added a Diner, Barber Shop, Gas Station, General Store and Old Time Movie Theater."

Click here for a photo of a Studebaker "bulletnose" at Reiff's. It's sad to see the nose up on the wall, but better there than rotted out in a field.

Visit the Reiff's House website.

Studebaker Car Trailer

I may have finally crossed over into the "fanatical category" re: Studebakers.

We were on a family getaway in Napa, California, this past weekend when I spied this trailer in a yard; I won't say where out of consideration for the owner. That said, it was very cool to see a Studebaker logo so unexpectedly.

There were plenty of Fords and Chevys sitting in overgrown brush nearby, but not a Stude in sight.

Amphicar?

"... Amphicar, the only civilian amphibious passenger automobile ever mass-produced. There were 3,878 Amphicars built in Germany from 1961 to 1968, and 90 percent of them were exported to the United States."

See the Sacramento Bee article about the Amphicar here.

Photo: LEZLIE STERLING / lsterling@sacbee.com

First Annual Drive Your Studebaker Day

I prepared with a 45 minute cruise yesterday. Today, my five year-old accompanied me on a tour of a few local parks and areas in Sacramento, CA, including: Land Park, Curtis Park, Midtown, and Downtown. "Doc" performed well and is now parked proudly in the driveway for all passers-by to see.

I was wary of driving as far as Grass Valley, but appreciated the invite by the Karel Stapel chapter of the SDC.

1949 Studebaker Champion - Nugget Market Shopping Bag

A 1949 Studebaker Champion makes unexpected cameo on the Nugget Market's reusable shopping bag. Pretty cool image from yesteryear. A scan of the Tyvek-type bag is below.

Studebaker-Packard Dealer, Los Gatos, CA

The Studebaker-Packard regalia is gone, but it's known that this hardware store in my hometown of Los Gatos, California, was once a Studebaker-Packard dealer. More can be seen at the "Los Gatos Car Dealerships: Selling the California Dream" exhibit. See the link below for more information.

See the article in the San Jose Mercury News.