You may recall my epic 10,000th post where I told of experiencing a time warp adventure while in the building that housed Visalia's last Studebaker dealer. Anyways, I was in that building again this morning - looking at the many antiques displayed there (It and the adjoining building - that used to be a Nash dealership back when - are now serving as antique malls.).
I looked out the front door today and wondered if the whole place would look at all familiar to the now deceased Stude dealer that once operated there. I've only recently found out that the empty lot directly across the street was Switzer&Jordan's used car lot. I'm certain that the lot's never been repaved since it's Studebaker days - even the two large Vs of lights that are rusting away are probably lights that lit a bunch of waxed offerings taken in trade on new Studebakers. I'll get a pic next time I go by there.
At the back of this lot is a very crudely constructed corrugated metal building that's half built with old used car dealer signs from subsequent tennats of that same lot. These signs are still somewhat readable and reading them - or trying to - got me to wondering what might be inside the building. Certainly, there weren't any unsold South Bend inventory, but who knows what might really be in there???
So I walk around said building and come to realize that the backside of it faces a trans overhaul place that's open and busy. The owner of the shop greets me and I explain that I'm not looking for work, only that I'm interested in the old building, seeing as how it abutts the old Stude used car lot.
The guy's busy and he says there's just some old junk in there and says: "Hey, we rent it. It's unlocked if you wanna see what it looks like."
Naturally, he don't have to say that twice! It's a struggle to pull open the dilapidated door, but as manage to step in and get my first peek, I find myself staring at a very unrestored 50 Champion 4dr!!!
WHAT a surprize! A 9G-W3 that's steeped in filth and missing it's driveline, but still.... 20 yards from a dealership that it might well have been sold from when new!
Other denizens of this rattletrap shed are a '64 Impala SS 2dr hardtop, A Harley-Davison 3-wheel scooter and a couple of late model pickup beds. That and core trannies and other misc auto bits.
I came back out of this treacherous tin temple and asked the tranny guy about the Stude.
"Oh yeah! My dad and me is gonna fix that baby UP! I gotta big block Chevy and a Ford rear an, an, we're gonna make that thing just like new!
Hey - who am I to argue? I'm still enjoyin' the fact that I "discovered" a Stude sittin' only YARDS from the old dealership. That'll be a tough one to beat![^]
1957 Transtar 1/2ton
1963 Cruiser
1960 Larkvertible V8
1958 Provincial wagon
1953 Commander coupe
1957 President two door
I looked out the front door today and wondered if the whole place would look at all familiar to the now deceased Stude dealer that once operated there. I've only recently found out that the empty lot directly across the street was Switzer&Jordan's used car lot. I'm certain that the lot's never been repaved since it's Studebaker days - even the two large Vs of lights that are rusting away are probably lights that lit a bunch of waxed offerings taken in trade on new Studebakers. I'll get a pic next time I go by there.
At the back of this lot is a very crudely constructed corrugated metal building that's half built with old used car dealer signs from subsequent tennats of that same lot. These signs are still somewhat readable and reading them - or trying to - got me to wondering what might be inside the building. Certainly, there weren't any unsold South Bend inventory, but who knows what might really be in there???
So I walk around said building and come to realize that the backside of it faces a trans overhaul place that's open and busy. The owner of the shop greets me and I explain that I'm not looking for work, only that I'm interested in the old building, seeing as how it abutts the old Stude used car lot.
The guy's busy and he says there's just some old junk in there and says: "Hey, we rent it. It's unlocked if you wanna see what it looks like."
Naturally, he don't have to say that twice! It's a struggle to pull open the dilapidated door, but as manage to step in and get my first peek, I find myself staring at a very unrestored 50 Champion 4dr!!!
WHAT a surprize! A 9G-W3 that's steeped in filth and missing it's driveline, but still.... 20 yards from a dealership that it might well have been sold from when new!
Other denizens of this rattletrap shed are a '64 Impala SS 2dr hardtop, A Harley-Davison 3-wheel scooter and a couple of late model pickup beds. That and core trannies and other misc auto bits.
I came back out of this treacherous tin temple and asked the tranny guy about the Stude.
"Oh yeah! My dad and me is gonna fix that baby UP! I gotta big block Chevy and a Ford rear an, an, we're gonna make that thing just like new!
Hey - who am I to argue? I'm still enjoyin' the fact that I "discovered" a Stude sittin' only YARDS from the old dealership. That'll be a tough one to beat![^]
1957 Transtar 1/2ton
1963 Cruiser
1960 Larkvertible V8
1958 Provincial wagon
1953 Commander coupe
1957 President two door
]
Bob (and others): Have you ever seen the B-movie done 15-20 years ago, entitled "Going All The Way?" The setting was mid-1950s and most of it was filmed here in Indianapolis. 
We've got to quit saying, 
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