How about writing a letter? Another request

[Bob Andrews]

As you may know, I am working with Borgeson hoping to convince them to produce
studebaker power steering box conversions. You can read about it here:

http://forum.studebakerdriversclub.com/showthread.php?52858-Converting-manual-box-to-power-steering-UPDATE-7-21

As it stands now, I have presented the case to Mr. Grantmeyer. He will look into the feasibility of it and get back to me/us. Feasibility, in this case, is defined as interest in a sufficient amount that they determine they can sell enough to make development and production wortwhile.

This is where you come in.

Mr. Jeff Grantmeyer is in Sales at Borgeson, and it is he that is looking at this for us. He now has the info I sent him, and a bunch of pictures, plus my best pitch. It might prove to be a big help if we flooded his e-mail inbox with letters of encouragement! Let him/them know your thoughts about the possibility of this becoming available to the Stude community. Maybe a few brief words about your own car and an attached photo. But mostly, let him know that you may be interested in a kit now, or that you may in the future; or if you think it's a good product that will be an asset to the Studebaker world.

I think if it were I, a bunch of letters indicating Studebaker lovers were aware of and interested in a product I'm considering developing would be a huge influence on the decision.

So if you would like to have a hand in helping this project along, please take a minute to write to Mr. Jeff Grantmeyer at Borgeson Products at jeff@borgeson.com . Reference this project, express your encouragement, and thank him for considering it; plus a bit of your own info if you like.

If we work together as a group, chances are very good we can get this done! Even if you don't need one now, or aren't interested in it currently, it would be a great addition to the array of helpful products available to current and future Studebaker lovers. Please help get this done!

Thanks in advance for your help

[sbca96]

Very cool idea, too bad I went through the system on my Avanti already. I had
contacted Flaming River about one of their R&P-ish upgraded boxes for Stude,
they replied with just that : not a large enough market to make it worth while.

Tom

[Bob Andrews]

Thanks Tom, I think we can convince them if we show a lot of interest. A letter from a bright guy like you would help, you might not need one now but you might want one in the future.

[Bob Andrews]

Saturday bump. Please help if you can!

[BobPalma]

OK, OK, Bob. Sent just now:

Hello, Jeff;

Might I add my encouragement to the Studebaker Steering Gear project you are considering with Bob Andrews' research and background information? This is a worthy project and will be a suitable repair for virtually all 1953-1960 Studebakers equipped with a Ross steering gear, which also includes 1961-1964 Hawks and 1963 and 1964 Studebaker Avantis.

Truth be known, the Ross gear used in those cars was a marginal, high-friction design. Ross gears have not worn well through the years because of not only that design, but because of the difficulty in securing the correct lubricant for them. It required a special Kendall lubricant (Kendall 400 or, later, Kendall C-999) that, realistically, has not been available for decades. Suitable replacement lubricant has been brewed and seems to work OK, but does not have the benefit of extensive, long-term testing as automobile and lubricant manufacturers would have teamed up to do in years past. Many Ross gears have seen extensive wear due to ordinary 90-weight gear oil having been poured in them, which is incorrect and does not provide adequate lubrication.

Too often, Studebaker enthusiasts will "clip" an entire front end on one of these cars to attain a better steering setup when, in reality, the balance of Studebaker's design is very good. If a better steering gear was available, one based on the excellent Saginaw recirculating-ball steering gear used in 1961-1966 "Larks," people would find it far easier (and, in my opinion, far safer) to upgrade their car's steering system while retaining virtually all the existing Studebaker components and related geometry.

Incidentally, I am a Life Member of The Studebaker Drivers Club and Technical Editor for the club's international monthly magazine, Turning Wheels, a position I've held almost 30 years.

Sincerely,

Bob Palma
Technical Editor
Turning Wheels

[Bob Andrews]

Excellent, Bob. Well-written with more technical info than I'd be able to give

Hopefully Mr. Grantmeyer's inbox will be overflowing with letters of encouragement

[stupak]

Bob: Email sent to Jeff. stupak

[Pat Dilling]

Bob: Email sent to Jeff. stupak

Sent one too

[starliner62]

I sent my Christmas wishes also.

[Bob Andrews]

Groovy. The more interest they see, the better the chance we'll see it made!