Alan Young

[Scott]

Some might remember I had asked the SDC board to approve an honorary membership for the actor Alan Young. Ed Reynolds has informed me that he has been so honored and I'm happy to report he'll be getting Turning Wheels every month. We haven't heard from him directly yet, but hopefully the message will get to him about his membership before the TWs do.

Thank you Ed and all the board members!

[maxpower1954]

Nice gesture! My earliest memory of anything Studebaker was an Avanti commercial on "Mister Ed". Youtube has a few Stude commercials with Young and his TV wife hawking the '61 Lark. Did he get a free Studebaker? I know Jay Livingston, the composer of the theme song received a '62 GT Hawk and owned it till his death. Russ Farris

[JeffDeWitt]

That's great!

Jeff DeWitt

http://carolinastudes.net

[JBOYLE]

Well done...
A nice honor for the best known Studebaker pitchman.

63 Avanti R1 2788
1914 Stutz Bearcat
(George Barris replica)

Washington State

[Lark Hunter]

Neat deal, Scott (and Ed).
I have fond memories of watching re-reruns of Mister Ed as a child. The Studebaker avertising thing might have worked a little too well, though, as I was particularly taken by the '62 Lark Skytop that was featured in many episodes... only I was about 30 years too late to buy one. As an aside, does anyone know what happened to that car, or any of the others that were used in the show for that matter? Has anyone kept track of them over the years, or have they been lost to the sands of time? LH


"I'm allergic to small block Chevys."

[Roscomacaw]

One of the thrills of my Studebakering days was to have a private talk with Alan.

He gave a talk about his days on the Mr. Ed show at the '96 meet in Long Beach.
Afterwards, I eased outside and was taking in the evening air next to the Queen Mary. To my utter surprize, Alan walked out and stopped right beside me. He was without escort, and I started in by introducing myself. We had a great conversation that lasted 15 minutes or so. Just as nice a person as you'd hope to meet. I'm glad SDC has honored him so.[^]


1957 Transtar 1/2ton
1963 Cruiser
1960 Larkvertible V8
1958 Provincial wagon
1953 Commander coupe
1957 President two door

[gordr]

That's very nice indeed. Alan Young, if I remember correctly, comes from my home town of Vancouver, B.C.

Gord Richmond, within Weasel range of the Alberta Badlands

[maxpower1954]

I always think his best role was Philby, H.G. Wells friend in the 1960 version of "The Time Machine", one of my favorite SF movies. He was born in England but moved to Canada when he was 6 years old. Russ Farris

[Rerun]

A related bit of trivia: Jay Livingston, who penned the music for the Mister Ed theme, was a native son of McDonald, PA. A plaque has been erected there in his honor. He also wrote the theme music for Bonanza, but is best known for writing such favorites as Mona Lisa and Silver Bells.

Jim Bradley
Lewistown PA
'78 Avanti II

[jimmijim8]

I used to shoot pool at the Pitt bar in Mc Donald . jimmijim

Stude Junkie+++++++Do it right the f$$$$ Time. Never mind. Just do it right. When youre done your done. You'll know it.

[JRoberts]

What a nice thing to do. Mr. Young certainly deserves the honor.

Joe Roberts
'61 R1 Champ
'65 Cruiser
Editor of "The Down Easterner"
Eastern North Carolina Chapter

[stratovue]

Many years ago when living in California I owned a 1963 Daytona Hardtop with the Skytop option that was "supposidly" used on Mister Ed. The car was Blue Mist with blue interior. It was a 259 with a 4-speed and disc brakes. The production ticket had a line "hold for TV and publicity". The car was pretty thrashed but was rust free and restorable. It is now in Australia.

Ed Reynolds

[Studedude1961]

So great to hear Allan Young has been made an honorary member. Two others could be honored while they are still alive: Connie Hines (Mrs. Ed) and Zsa Zsa Gabor (who advertised for Studebaker). I believe Tom Bosley (Happy Days) also appeared in a Studebaker commercial touting the 1956 line.

John Waddell
Omaha, NE

[StudeRich]

Here is Alan's Car, taken at Hall Roach Studios near the show set.


StudeRich

[Dick Clemens]

Rich you forgot to tell them who Frank Afton was.

studedick from the lower Ozarks