Here it is, January First again! If Ted Harbit could go as fast as the years do, well, NO ONE could even give him a challenge!
I'm hoping this year affords me the time and incentive to finish a few of my Stude projects. Primarily my 53 Commander and the '57 President 2-door. So much else of higher priority keeps stepping to the head of the line that the project cars feel neglected.
My projects aside tho, I hope to see this forum grow in importance and participation as more and more Stude people become aware that it's here.
There ARE other forums. They have a loyal following and there's some great Studebaker minds in attendance of them. I hope some of them eventually start to chime in here as well.
Sonny & Jeff R. & Transtar60 along with others and myself are here to answer questions and offer advice with regards to Studebakers. Some of us (like myself) prefer to keep the breed as pure as is practical. For myself, a Studebaker has to have Studebaker power to be a real representation of the marque. My contention is that their engines were as much a part of a Studebaker as was the standout styling that makes them much more appealing than the ubiquitous '57 Impala or such. That Stude-powered cars are STILL setting records is vindication for the persistence of those who feel like I do.
That said, I realize there's a segment of the Stude world that consider alternative powerplants to be the ideal way to put a "Stude" back on the road. This segment has it's justifications for going that route and yet I just keep driving my Studebakers with Stude engines and not worrying about the trouble that supposedly awaits me. I might add that I've been doing so for 30+ years now. I can look you straight in the eye and relate that I've NEVER been stranded by a Studebaker or had a breakdown that had me stopped for more than 30 minutes.[^]
That last paragraph isn't a slam to cusstomizing your Studebaker. It's only to point up that I personally can't offer advice about embracing a GM 350 or a Fatman clip because I've never done such and don't forsee me doing such in this lifetime. There are others who can tho. And I hope they volunteer to provide answers when such questions arise here.[:I]
Let's dive in to the new year with gusto and see how much entusiasim we Stude types can stir up! We West Coasters have the International meet on OUR truf this year (Spokane Wash in August) Let's make the most of it! Amongst the independent makes, Studebaker is FAR AND AWAY the one with the most life and activity left to it. I could go on as to the reasons for this, but that this forum and others related to Studebakers are thriving tells the story well enough.
There's still plenty of Studes for entry level inductees to play with. Even here in California - every time I think the last of the undiscoverd Studebakers has turned up - bang! - another one presents itself. This was the case with the 53 Commander that laid itself in my lap last May! In fact, I just got word of two more Studes that have come out of hiding recently - one's a 61 V8 hardtop and the other's a 63 Cruiser. I've yet to go look at them but I plan to. If anyone's interested in them, drop me a line. I should be getting up to look at them in the next couple weeks.
Anyway - Happy New Year to you all and Happy Studebakering as well!
StudeBob, [}]
Miscreant at large.
I'm hoping this year affords me the time and incentive to finish a few of my Stude projects. Primarily my 53 Commander and the '57 President 2-door. So much else of higher priority keeps stepping to the head of the line that the project cars feel neglected.
My projects aside tho, I hope to see this forum grow in importance and participation as more and more Stude people become aware that it's here.
There ARE other forums. They have a loyal following and there's some great Studebaker minds in attendance of them. I hope some of them eventually start to chime in here as well.
Sonny & Jeff R. & Transtar60 along with others and myself are here to answer questions and offer advice with regards to Studebakers. Some of us (like myself) prefer to keep the breed as pure as is practical. For myself, a Studebaker has to have Studebaker power to be a real representation of the marque. My contention is that their engines were as much a part of a Studebaker as was the standout styling that makes them much more appealing than the ubiquitous '57 Impala or such. That Stude-powered cars are STILL setting records is vindication for the persistence of those who feel like I do.
That said, I realize there's a segment of the Stude world that consider alternative powerplants to be the ideal way to put a "Stude" back on the road. This segment has it's justifications for going that route and yet I just keep driving my Studebakers with Stude engines and not worrying about the trouble that supposedly awaits me. I might add that I've been doing so for 30+ years now. I can look you straight in the eye and relate that I've NEVER been stranded by a Studebaker or had a breakdown that had me stopped for more than 30 minutes.[^]
That last paragraph isn't a slam to cusstomizing your Studebaker. It's only to point up that I personally can't offer advice about embracing a GM 350 or a Fatman clip because I've never done such and don't forsee me doing such in this lifetime. There are others who can tho. And I hope they volunteer to provide answers when such questions arise here.[:I]
Let's dive in to the new year with gusto and see how much entusiasim we Stude types can stir up! We West Coasters have the International meet on OUR truf this year (Spokane Wash in August) Let's make the most of it! Amongst the independent makes, Studebaker is FAR AND AWAY the one with the most life and activity left to it. I could go on as to the reasons for this, but that this forum and others related to Studebakers are thriving tells the story well enough.
There's still plenty of Studes for entry level inductees to play with. Even here in California - every time I think the last of the undiscoverd Studebakers has turned up - bang! - another one presents itself. This was the case with the 53 Commander that laid itself in my lap last May! In fact, I just got word of two more Studes that have come out of hiding recently - one's a 61 V8 hardtop and the other's a 63 Cruiser. I've yet to go look at them but I plan to. If anyone's interested in them, drop me a line. I should be getting up to look at them in the next couple weeks.
Anyway - Happy New Year to you all and Happy Studebakering as well!
StudeBob, [}]
Miscreant at large.
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