Today, August 15th, marks the 50th anniversary of my first day with Studebaker and it was spent in South Bend, Indiana becoming acquainted with the Studebaker empire stateside. My first, and life-remembered, impression was that this great company occupied such a huge part of South Bend. Little did I then know that Studebaker would remain an integral part of my life these many years. The first Studebaker I drove was a Wagonaire and there has been at least one Studebaker in our life for all but four years of this half century. We probably have had at least twenty Studebaker products over that time, two of which included a Mercedes-Benz 220S and a DKW Junior. That DKW was certainly a piece of work!
Allow me to do a little reminiscing about those 50 years. Many of you are aware of my stories about the relentless efforts us Canadians put forth to try and save this company. But living Studebaker daily back then only lasted for under three years. Soon to become a Studebaker collector, I quickly formed friendships with an international group of Studebaker aficionados who were instrumental in ensuring that the Studebaker legacy would become part of my life. Sandy Ross in Canada purchased one of my old company cars and got me interested in SDC. Crossing the border for the first time for a Studebaker meet, the Dudeck family and the Shrock brothers made us feel very welcome. Before too long I became Zone Coordinator, National Director and International President with encouragement from George Krem and Skip Lackie. And for sure I must acknowledge the support of Gary Lindstrom along with Phil and Cindy Brown.
Over the years I've managed to stay continuously involved with SDC with responsibilities including the Studebaker National Museum Capital Cost Committee, International Meet Committee, Turning Wheels Advertising Arbiter, Studebaker National Museum Life Trustee and, most recently, SDC's By-Laws Committee. Locally, I'm able to keep in touch with former Studebaker staff personnel such as Jack Holden, Peter Sant, John Spillett, George Wingfield, as well as Studebaker dealer Roy Graham, all of whom are SDC members.
I'm only too happy to have been able to record some of my memories in my two books, Requiem to a Pioneer and My Father The Car: Memoirs of my life with Studebaker. I continue to appreciate the opportunity to dialogue with all of you through the Studebaker Forum and Turning Wheels. I hope this will continue for many more years. Thank you for your support.
Stu Chapman
Allow me to do a little reminiscing about those 50 years. Many of you are aware of my stories about the relentless efforts us Canadians put forth to try and save this company. But living Studebaker daily back then only lasted for under three years. Soon to become a Studebaker collector, I quickly formed friendships with an international group of Studebaker aficionados who were instrumental in ensuring that the Studebaker legacy would become part of my life. Sandy Ross in Canada purchased one of my old company cars and got me interested in SDC. Crossing the border for the first time for a Studebaker meet, the Dudeck family and the Shrock brothers made us feel very welcome. Before too long I became Zone Coordinator, National Director and International President with encouragement from George Krem and Skip Lackie. And for sure I must acknowledge the support of Gary Lindstrom along with Phil and Cindy Brown.
Over the years I've managed to stay continuously involved with SDC with responsibilities including the Studebaker National Museum Capital Cost Committee, International Meet Committee, Turning Wheels Advertising Arbiter, Studebaker National Museum Life Trustee and, most recently, SDC's By-Laws Committee. Locally, I'm able to keep in touch with former Studebaker staff personnel such as Jack Holden, Peter Sant, John Spillett, George Wingfield, as well as Studebaker dealer Roy Graham, all of whom are SDC members.
I'm only too happy to have been able to record some of my memories in my two books, Requiem to a Pioneer and My Father The Car: Memoirs of my life with Studebaker. I continue to appreciate the opportunity to dialogue with all of you through the Studebaker Forum and Turning Wheels. I hope this will continue for many more years. Thank you for your support.
Stu Chapman
Comment