Sacramento Swap Meet - April 2011 - Hudson Hornet

Quick digression: here's a great Hudson Hornet spotted in the parking lot of the April 2011 Sacramento Swap Meet. I really like the badging and branding on these Hornets.

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.

Jay Leno's Garage - 1950 Studebaker Champion

It’s a documented fact that I have an unhealthy obsession with our Studebaker. And aside from the joy that the car has brought my Dad and me, "Doc" has introduced me to a bunch of really fine people. It’s been great fun to connect with, trade information with, and help out (and be helped by) other Studebaker owners.

I was really pleased to see this post about “Doc” on Jay Leno’s website. Thanks to “Daymo Johnnie” for the post.

"There was a time when I thought not too much of cars like this but now, in the gray and saggy years, they look pretty good and take me back to what my dad used to put me into to go places in. I like to see good restorations and appropriate custom hot rods done from them and this restoration looks first class and gets a really deep nod. My dad has moved on but while yours is still here, get into that beauty, cruise out for a brew or burger and keep on being buddies through the car and in other ways. Thanks for the look-see at your gem and we’ll see you down at Clancy’s."

See our page on Jay Leno's website.

An Airplane Without Wings

This morning, Jack's Towing stopped by to pick up our 1950 Studebaker Champion, "Doc," and bring him to the shop. A wiring short has Doc out of commission for a few days.

I needed to move Doc from the driveway into the street in order to position him for the tow truck. I unhinged the emergency brake, and with one push from within the driver's seat Doc glided into the street without effort. The manual steering wheel eased with the car's movement. All was silent save the wind and Doc's aching joints.

Doc is an example of all that's right about cars of his day; he is a marvel of engineering and design. He is the manifestation of Loewy's and Exner's imagination. Pop the hood, and he's exposed. Every part is evident.

While parenthood and work are complex, Doc is simple and beautiful and real. Yes, he's a car, but he's our car - and there's only one of him.

First Ride - 1950 Studebaker Champion

The Studebaker Champion, "Doc," just came back from the shop where they refreshed all of the fluids, rewired the the dash, and installed seat belts.

The idle is a bit low or the carb isn't getting enough air, because we're stalling out a bit more than we'd like. Otherwise, the car rides beautifully. Being a Gen-Xer, I'm not used to the amount of heat coming through the floor of older cars. And ABS brakes sure are a luxury compared to the the old-style brakes.

Our drive was a bit turbulent, but I can see my Dad and I cruising in no time. Overall, a really great experience and exactly what I wanted from this father/son project.

Until next drive.