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  • New Perspective on Cars/Car Shows

    Spent a hot Oklahoma day at a car show today. Felt good to get out of town,
    and away from the recent mess I have gotten myself into.

    298 cars registered at the show, many others shown, but not judged. 'Sheba (the only Stude at the show) came home empty handed today, and that's OK, the competition was STRONG and
    plentiful! This is the show I took both Studes to last year, and won a nice
    prize with 'Sheba, and the grand prize of two round trip airline tickets to
    anywhere in the U.S. So, I reckon that made up for this year!

    But, I think I may have found a new nitch. I ran onto a vehicle that has
    changed my whole perspective of car shows. I have to admit, I love car
    shows, but am getting tired of the routine of constantly having to repair
    and detail to the degree that it takes to be "successful." I know I could
    just let my Studes go, but the "competition" aspect is what has challenged
    me to keep from doing that. I can't help it, I'm anal, and although I like
    to (and do) drive the wheels off of my Studes, I can't stand the thought of
    just "relaxing," and letting them run down.

    The guy who's car I am about to introduce you to has absolutely the right
    idea! Enjoy your old car. Drive it to shows. (Yes, he DROVE IT to the
    show!) Once he got there, he had more fun, and put more smiles on more faces
    than any of the 300+ other vehicles there today.

    He used not one drop of elbow grease, water, soap, wax, DWG, tire dressing,
    or anything else, and he had a ball! He made my day, and several other
    folks' day! While I have walked over to several folks to complement them on
    the cars they toiled over to present at a show, today is the first time I
    ever walked up to anyone, shook their hand, and THANKED them for bringing
    their vehicle to a show!

    I failed to take my camera today, so had to ask a friend to shoot pictures
    of this vehicle for me. He took far too few pictures, and missed way too
    many details, but here are some of the pics he took. In order to truly
    enjoy the full impact of this vehicle, one must take several minutes, and
    look closely at just about every 2 square foot area, as there are little
    surprises and messages all over, inside and out. I'm quite sure I didn't
    catch them all.



    There is a fellow either dead, or taking a nap on top of the vehicle. There
    is a still in the back of the vehicle. The sign you can just barely see on
    the left sez, "Revenoors Bewair." The tool box on the front bumper is full
    of antique tools.



    At the end of the
    chain protruding from the front bumper is a chicken being choked by the
    chain. He is wearing "OU" socks. (Won't mean much to someone not from OK.)
    The "guy" under the vehicle has a funnel in his mouth, and is catching
    drippings from the still. On the running board is a button to push in order
    to file a complaint. The button triggers a steel trap, and there are
    several bloody fingers lying around the trap. Hanging off of one of the
    sticks sticking out the back of the vehicle is a thunder pot, with a sign
    that reads, "Taked from under Momma's side of the bed." Under the left
    front tire is a squashed chicken. Too many other funny little this's and
    that's to mention.

    Pretty well sums it
    up, but not really. The wild animal box contains a prank that scares the
    pants off of the kids, much to the joy of everybody watching.

    When I go back into retirement, I think I just might relieve myself of a
    couple of PITAs, and build me a new Studebaker show vehicle. It breaks my
    heart that that won't happen before Omaha. <G> I'm ready to lighten up!

  • #2
    Dave - Do you feel okay? Maybe it was the heat <G>? Are you employed - again? How about just making some kind of a display on the back of Goliath?

    Gary L.
    1954 Commander Starliner (restomod)
    1959 DeLuxe pickup (restomod)
    Gary L.
    Wappinger, NY

    SDC member since 1968
    Studebaker enthusiast much longer

    Comment


    • #3
      quote:Originally posted by studegary

      Dave - Do you feel okay? Maybe it was the heat <G>?
      Gary, you think I might not, "feel okay?" [:I] Well, it was hot today; perhaps I should chill out before taking the leap.

      quote:[Are you employed - again?
      Yep, and I'm in over my head this time... acting City Manager. [8] At least it's temporary... and I have to admit that I (once again) think (hope) I can help/serve my community by offering my services. [?]

      quote:How about just making some kind of a display on the back of Goliath?
      Well, such displays are cute. But, that does not address 'Sheba, and with or without her, I would still feel compelled to keep Goliath, "up to the 'Standard.'" [xx(]

      I gotta tell ya, this guy, and everybody around him was having FUN! He wasn't worried about points, winning, losing, or anything else. He, quite obviously, was not concerned about condition, or wear. He was, quite simply, having fun, as a participant in a car show! He wasn't concerned about originallity, Peoples Choice (although he had my vote,) what was "right," "correct," "original," that God awful word, "Restored," "modified," or any other darned thing... he, and every one around him was simply having a good time!

      As is apparent, I envied him.

      Shucks, I'm already stessing out over Omaha. Before I once again went out of retirement, I thought I had plenty of time to get both Studes ready for an International... just like I (thought I) did in '02. Well, it didn't happen in '02... Goliath stayed home, and 'Sheba busted my butt, both ways, going to Charlotte, and coming back home. I got back home with my second International first place trophy, and a huge headache!

      Now, I have more than a full time job... how can I do that? I wanna do that... BUT, HOW? These vehicles don't prepare themselves, and since I don't keep them in a sealed envelope, they show the miles I put on them. Judges dock points, based on signs of a car being driven. That's not wrong, but it's a fact.

      Tomorrow will be a new day, and I will have forgotten all about it.




      sigpic
      Dave Lester

      Comment


      • #4
        Dave - that very car showed up at a fall car show once near Wichita many years ago, and it was all anyone could talk about. It is so neat! Everyone invited him back, but he said he never goes to the same show twice. I'm just glad to see it (and he) are still kicking!
        The only difference between death and taxes is that death does not grow worse every time Congress convenes. - Will Rogers

        Comment


        • #5
          quote:Originally posted by Chris Pile

          Dave - that very car showed up at a fall car show once near Wichita many years ago, and it was all anyone could talk about. It is so neat! Everyone invited him back, but he said he never goes to the same show twice. I'm just glad to see it (and he) are still kicking!
          He's having too much fun! He and the car should be around for quite some time, as neither are experiencing any undue stress! His wife seems to enjoy the experience as much or more than he does.


          sigpic
          Dave Lester

          Comment


          • #6
            I hear you, Dave... I will tell you that I've never had any interest in owning a "show" vehicle; could never understand the point! I love old cars of all makes; I always want to open the door, sit down, feel the wheel and shifter, step on the pedals, start them up, and take them for a drive!

            I drove race cars for 24 years; we put a lot of effort and pride in our cars' appearance... but always kept that in balance! We would take them to Motorsports Expos and various other shows; I was always amazed at the other racers that were so anal about their cars- ropes and stantions, DO NOT TOUCH signs, etc ... yet by the next week we'd be banging wheels at 130 MPH [xx(] My cars NEVER had stantions, but did have 2 big signs that read: "Go ahead and touch it, it'd a RACE CAR!" and "Sit in a real race car- Price: 1 smile!" I can't tell you how much fun I had lifting kids into the cockpit, or giving adults a chance to sit in the car that otherwise would never get to! Interestingly, there were always other racers (with ropes around theirs) that poo-pooed my attitude like there was something wrong with it; of course, they could never refute my logic!

            My point is, I can't see the purpose of owning a vehicle that's going to cause me grief and worry! My beautiful 65 Lincoln Convertible gets driven, parked in parking lots, and has kids in and out very frequently; and sometimes I show up at our weekly meet with it dirty, because I just got back from a road trip somewhere [8D] My recently acquired 57 Wagon is currently getting the mechanicals done correctly so it can be driven ASAP... it needs paint and interior- which it will get eventually- but my town will see this car around PLENTY before that's done!

            Try not to worry about the competition aspect, and just use your car for the reason it was built in the first place; to drive and enjoy!!

            Robert K. Andrews Owner- IoMT (Island of Misfit Toys!)


            Comment


            • #7
              Dave:

              Now for the real question, did it have a SBC powering it?

              Dan White
              64 R1 GT
              64 R2 GT
              Dan White
              64 R1 GT
              64 R2 GT
              58 C Cab
              57 Broadmoor (Marvin)

              Comment


              • #8
                quote:Try not to worry about the competition aspect, and just use your car for the reason it was built in the first place; to drive and enjoy!!
                But... isn't that what wears 'em out?


                sigpic
                Dave Lester

                Comment


                • #9
                  quote:Originally posted by Dan White

                  Dave:

                  Now for the real question, did it have a SBC powering it?
                  Well, there is now coffee on my monitor. Funny you should ask, but I can't answer the question, because this uh... vehicle's hood was not open for inspection of the powerplant, and I fergot to ask.

                  Before the next logical question arises, (I'm amazed sombody hasn't already asked) this beauty is NOT for sale. I know, because I
                  DID ask.


                  sigpic
                  Dave Lester

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    But... isn't that what wears 'em out?




                    Yes- also what they were intended for!

                    Plus, gives an excuse to refresh them!!

                    Robert K. Andrews Owner- IoMT (Island of Misfit Toys!)


                    Comment


                    • #11
                      GENTLEMEN.
                      This was a helluva lot better read than this mornings' paper.
                      Thanks for the smiles you put on this ole coot!

                      '49 Starlight Coupe
                      1936 Miller Replica

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Thanks for sharing, Dave.

                        A great example of the fact that there are many, many ways to enjoy our hobby.





                        Dick Steinkamp
                        Bellingham, WA

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          quote:Plus, gives an excuse to refresh them!!
                          That is what is wearing me out! Ya mean that part of it is supposed to be fun, too? Sure seems like work to me. [}]


                          sigpic
                          Dave Lester

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            NAH- It IS fun if you're just keeping it really nice... I think the stress comes in trying to make it show quality... which is why I personally have no interest in owning "show" cars, even though at this stage of my life I could afford some if I wanted...

                            Robert K. Andrews Owner- IoMT (Island of Misfit Toys!)


                            Comment


                            • #15
                              I don't think the rubber chickens were 'correct' for that year of car.

                              LaSalle,Il
                              61Hawk
                              60Lark
                              Oglesby,Il.

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