Video - 36th Annual Zone Meet of the Northeast Oklahoma Chapter of the SDC

Wow. This is a really long segment for a 2009 newscast! And for Studebaker!



Here is a link to the video.

Quick Digression - 1957 Cadillac Coupe Deville

This is a contact's completely custom 1957 Cadillac Coupe Deville: shaved door handles; air ride; billet grille; custom fins ... just amazing.

Saving a Studebaker - Bastrop

File under "wow." Fire destroyed his home and his life's work - a high-performance engine shop. However...

"Volunteer firefighters John Ertz and Steve Podkamenski managed to save one of his prize possessions.

"We saw a Studebaker sitting in the breezeway," Ertz said.

When Ertz and Podkamenski came across Cook's home and shop in flames they knew it was too late to save, but they refused to walk away. "We needed to at least save that car before we continued fighting the fire on the ground," Ertz said.

With a broken arm Ertz, and Podkamenski along with a few others, helped move the car out of harm's way. "It was just the right thing to do," Podkamenski said. It was a selfless act that shed light on an otherwise dark day for Cook."

"I can't describe what's inside here [my heart]. The firemen that saved this car ... the young man that rebuilt it at the shop just so I could be there. Those are friends," Cook said."

Read the full story here.

Studebakers in the UK

Here are some great photographs of UK Studebakers. I'm particularly interested in the slight customizations, e.g., spotlights, eyelids (or lashes?), bumper guards, sunshields, etc. on the '50 Champions.

"Through visits to the Studebaker International Meets in the US and the encouragement received there in particular by Harry Barnes, Denny Lockmon and other Studebaker Drivers Club officers, the pressure was on to consolidate all this UK interest in Studes!"

See members' cars here.

1950 Starlight owned by Dick Russell

Studebaker Golden Hawk - Lark

CarThrottle.com has an interesting article about "Offbeat and Obscure Performance Muscle Cars." Included are the Studebaker Golden Hawk, 1958 Packard Hawk, and the '63 Super Hawk and Super Lark.

"It has been over 50 years since the Studebaker Golden Hawk graced America’s highways. Since Studebaker is no longer in business, can we now ask if the Golden Hawk is or is not a muscle car? I think it’s worth taking a look. With 2 different powerplants in this period, both producing 275 HP, in a low slung Raymond Lowey designed coupe, it was certainly a performer. It was also one of the few factory produced cars that introduced a Supercharged engine."

Read the full article on CarThrottle.com - Part 1 and Part 2.

Quick Digression - Marquis DeSoto - Custom Cars

The story of a custom car and a one-of-a-kind guy. Not a Studebaker, but full of that same spirit and love of classic cars.

“I’ve never taken an art class,” Mr. Heller said. “I have a B.A. in psychology. I never realized this is what I wanted to do.”

He had held down an office job in San Francisco and “wore a suit and tie” before being laid off. In 1971 he moved to Woodstock, where his family had a house. Two years later, he opened Fabulous Furniture in nearby Boiceville."

Read the full article on the NY Times website.

Studebaker - Boom and Bust - South Bend, Indiana

The sad story of prosperity and then decline.

"In its heyday, the west side was the bustling center of life for many workers at the Studebaker Corporation who made their homes on the west side and also supported neighborhood businesses. But after Studebaker Corporation closed, the west side began its decline."

"Despite its challenges, Davis says there are many bright spots in the 2nd District, such as the Studebaker National Museum, Center for History and a future Civil Rights Heritage Center at Indiana University South Bend. Davis says the Monroe Park neighborhood near downtown also shows a lot of promise."

Read the full article on the South Bend Tribune website.

Studebaker Romance - 1957 Golden Hawk

Here's an uplifting story about Studebakers... and love.

"Dan Talbot and his wife celebrated their honeymoon 50 years ago in a Studebaker. Now, they’re celebrating their golden anniversary in another Studebaker."

"These are the kinds of stories I love. There just seems to be an undeniable attraction between people and the cars they grew up with. Fond memories and life-changing moments surrounding certain types of cars make folks wax nostalgic. A prime example of this is the Studebaker. Studebaker clubs exist all over the world. People never tire of these old-school classics and demand for them is higher than ever."

Read the full article on CarReview.com.