50 Champion reputible mechanic needed.

[James Caspi]

Can anyone lead me to a good Studebaker Champion mechanic in South Florida, around Ft. Lauderdale or Palm Beach. I need someone who knows our cars well?

Jim

[jclary]

I have read your request and seen similar ones in the past. I am struggling with how to answer without coming across as condescending or a "smart ass know it all." The last thing I want to do is offend anyone. I have seen a lot of what I call "comer's and goer's" in the club over the years and what I mean by that is that I have met many good people who are new to the old car hobby that come in extremely enthusiastic only to become quickly discouraged and all too soon disappear from the scene. Mainly, I think, because of a combination of a lack of knowledgable support, unrealistic expectations, and the expense that can quickly pile up as a result. My first suggestion is to get familiar and make friends with your local chapter members of the SDC. What ever the mechanical needs of your champion are, don't get too impatient. Take the time to discuss the issues with other members and hopefully someone will get you to the right person. Buy the shop manual, chassis manual, and body manual for your car. Take the time to learn all you can. Even if you feel you can't or just don't want to soil your hands turning wrenches...the more you learn, the less likely you are to be taken advantage of and become discouraged. The more confident you can be in your own knowledge, the less likely you will be to have some mechanic charge you for a complete brake overhaul when a paper clip clearing out the little(almost invisible) vent hole in your master cylinder cap would take care of braking problems. As to expectations...whether Studebaker or any other make of car, the cars of the past are simply made, but require more frequent tinkering than newer cars. Even if you pay a mechanic big bucks to have it working perfect, in a few hours of driving, the points setting could change, you can experience the famous "vapor lock," break a linkage spring, blow a fuse in your overdrive relay, or have a sticking contact in the electro mechanical voltage regulator. If most folks new to the hobby would understand and accept this as a normal part of these great old machines, I don't think they would see problems as so catastrophic and be so easily discouraged.
As for Florida...there are many terrific members of the SDC all over the state. Hopefully someone will contact you and help you find the resources you need. The comments I have made here are not intended to denigrate your knowledge but intended for the larger audience who might be new to the scene and searching for encouragement. I just hate to see people get discouraged and leave the hobby and often wonder if we do a good enough job of "reaching out" to encourage them. Good luck with your car and post a picture when you have a chance so we can enjoy it with you.

[StudeRich]

Studebaker knowledge

Very good comment John! I think a lot of times many of us are wanting to say something like that to some of these newer members, but just do not have the time or words to say it, without hurting someones feelings.

We have to just ignore the comment sometimes, or give a rather short answer to avoid saying what we really think!

And like you, I do not know how much of this applies to Jim if any, but it is good food for thought for many.

If I had to sum it up, I'd have to say it is about UNDERSTANDING! Really understanding something, takes a few years of real caring and learning, and unfortunately MOST people under 50 and more-so 40, do not have the patience, and were raised in a throw away society, so if any of that penetrated their brain, they are at a loss to understand FIXING anything!

I know it's an old worn saying, but true...KNOWLEDGE IS POWER!

[BobGlasscock]

John and Rich, very good thoughts and statements. Something we can all take to heart.

However, I think we should all take these requests for more expertise and/or ability to heart, also. I have been working on my Studebaker since I was physically able to squat (my dad taught me to NEVER sit on the ground around the car) and hold a box end wrench. Before kindergarten. All my life. Same car as well as others. But my Stude has had my fingerprints on it for as long as we have both been around. I am not a stranger to being able or willing to work on it.

But there are times when my intelligence tells me to get help. And I don't ignore that warning/advice. I don't have every tool in the book. I don't have a lift. I'm not physically able to do some of the muscle work. My brain isn't fully developed in mechanical details in some areas. And I have asked for help. A trusted mechanic, every member of my local SDC chapter, and on this forum. And sometimes I get what I need. There's only one problem I have that I haven't been able to get the help I need to solve it. One unsolved problem in life ain't bad. But it sure would be nice for me if I could get that help. And I'll bet that many others out there have come up against that brick wall once or twice themselves. And it sure is nice when someone steps up and says "I can help". Even if it is just advice or knowledge from their past experience.

I really hope you, James, find a good mechanic in Florida who can help you. You have decided you need the help, and I hope you get it. That way you solve one problem. And if I'm really lucky, your good mechanic in Florida will know one here in Lubbock.

[Bo Markham]

Unfortunately, there are none in South Florida. Your next closest bet is either myself, or Stephen Cade. He's up near Gainesville and I'm down in Ocala.

[jclary]

By the way James, aren't you the guy that drove your 50 champion all the way from New York to Florida? That would put you in a special knowledgeable class in my opinion. 'cept for some wear and tear from the trip...I would say that you must have one more tough little Champ!

[studegary]

There are good replys to this thread. I believe that your query is too broad. You may not find one person that can do it all, but you may find different people for different items, such as; engine, transmission, brakes, body work, electrical.
I think that your best source is to become friendly with the active members of the SDC chapters in the area.
I think that Bo in Ocala is within a reasonable distance when you are talking about an orphan marque specialist.

[railway]

I can't believe you can't find a Cuban mechanic in South Florida. (G)

[wolfie]

As Gary said more info on your specific problem might help steer you in a direction. I know some guys in Fl that do top quality repairs but they arent Stude specific mechanics. They arent afraid to tackle problems with our cars which is unusual here in SC but there are things they wont do. Steve

[Mike Sal]

The timing stinks.....I was just in Ft. Lauderdale Sunday & Monday morning. I'm quite familiar with every nut & bolt of a '50 (I've owned 3, one of which over 20 years). My daughter got married in Islamarada on Saturday & we flew out of Ft. Lauderdale Monday afternoon.

We did go to the Packard museum just north of the airport while we were killing time. They have a nice packard hawk, but no '58 sedan. The guys told me the local studebaker club was going to visit them in a few days.
Mike Sal

[James Caspi]

Well, you guys certaily wen to town with my request. Even a friendly 'lecture'!

For the record, I have owned this Studebaker for 13 years, been a member for most of that time, but due to dropping it for a year, lost the website continuity. I have owned the manuals for all that time, have leaned a great deal and did drive the car 2000 this March from NYC to Ft. Lauderdale, 75% of which was not on 'Impossible 95". The trip was unimaginable and the car extremely reliable, and I have trouble shot it numerous time, have spend my adult career fixiing things, like you guys from out in America do, even though some of you might think me a 'city sllicker' who brings his car to his Park Avenue dealer.

Thanks to those who gave me concete ideas, and they guy's comment about the Cuban, who is why I have been put in this compromised position int he first place. It was one of them who messed up 'God only knows what' on my perfectly OK car. Ever since it has not been right.

My several choices are to ship the thing back to NY where I have control with my local 'guru' and bite the bullet. I hesitate to drive it to Nashville to visit family since I value my life more than 500 bucks!!

Jim

[jclary]

Good to see you back on the forum Jim. So what is the problem with the car? Brakes? Engine? Even is we can't walk across the road and help you with it...let us know about the symptoms so we can all chime in as if we were really capable of doing something about it.