I happened to be reading a copy of the April 28, 1961 issue of LIFE magazine over lunch today (I have an almost complete collection from 1936 on). In an article about a gigantic financial tussle between Allan Kirby and the Murchison Brothers of Texas over Alleghany there was an almost full page front view of a Rolls-Royce (as shown below). The caption reads Further in the article it states that the Rolls was a gift from his children as Kirby himself eschewed public displays of wealth. Interesting to know that a man worth in excess of $300 million in 1961 dollars preferred the Lark to his Rolls! Wonder if he had the V-8 or Six?
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Multi millionaire investor prefers his Lark to his Rolls!
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Multi millionaire investor prefers his Lark to his Rolls!
Last edited by Studebaker Wheel; 09-15-2015, 11:12 PM.Richard Quinn
Editor emeritus: Antique Studebaker ReviewTags: None
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Maybe he's like the spiritual predecessor to Warren Buffet and his used mud brown Oldsmobile station wagon. Although, I don't know if he still has it since that story goes back to when they were still making Oldsmobiles.
BTW, I've heard that a Rolls requires a few thousand dollars in skilled dealership maintenance per year. So I'm guessing that it's conspicuous consumption in that somebody can brag that they have so much money to burn that they can deliberately buy and fed a white elephant year after year.1963 Champ "Stu Bludebaker"- sometimes driver
1957 Silver Hawk "Josie"- picking up the pieces after an unreliable body man let it rot for 11 years from an almost driver to a basket case
1951 Land Cruiser "Bunnie Ketcher" only 47M miles!
1951 Commander Starlight "Dale"- basket case
1947 Champion "Sally"- basket case
1941 Commander Land Cruiser "Ursula"- basket case
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This reminds me of a local man that I know. He was a founder of a very large organization that we all know, but will remain nameless for his privacy. He used to buy and drive new Mercedes. He got tired of the problems/repairs with the M-Bs and in recent years he bought new Honda Accords and is happy with them. Both dealerships are within a few miles of where he resides. Just in money that I know of, he gives away enough each year to buy several new M-Bs.Gary L.
Wappinger, NY
SDC member since 1968
Studebaker enthusiast much longer
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I've known a few who drove unassuming, low-key vehicles, despite their wealth. One individual I knew owned a lumber yard including the land it sat on, and several buildings nearby that were fully leased on both sides of a major thoroughfare. His car was a base model Valiant 4 door sedan with slant-six.
Craig
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Originally posted by Hallabutt View PostIf you drive a Lark today you sand out in a crowd.
Craig
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Hedge fund managers!
Originally posted by 8E45E View PostThat's for sure! Not sure if it includes all areas of the nation, but I am seeing a LOT more Porsches, Ferraris, Maseratis, Lamborghinis, Bentleys, RR's driving around than I did 20 years ago!!
CraigFrank van Doorn
Omaha, Ne.
1962 GT Hawk 289 4 speed
1941 Champion streetrod, R-2 Powered, GM 200-4R trans.
1952 V-8 232 Commander State "Starliner" hardtop OD
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Here in the Puget Sound area, we have probably the highest concentration of exotic cars, or at least the highest concentration of those purchased with legitimate wealth (I have never been to Miami). Microsoft and other cyber industry firms have created an amazing number of millionaires. What I don't know is what these guys drive to work every day.
If I were wealthy, I think I would still get the most satisfaction from driving these vehicles that I have created or modified myself. I think many of the owners of those very exotic super cars would not know how to change their own spark plugs.Trying to build a 48 Studebaker for the 21st century.
See more of my projects at stilettoman.info
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While talking with a Tesla assistant manager a couple weeks ago, I learned that very wealthy people come in and shop for a Tesla. He told me a man spoke with him who had a Rolls. He recently took it in for scheduled maintenance and the bill was $13,000!! The Rolls owner told him his car is/was wonderful and very luxurious but, wasn't happy with his ownership costs. Goes to show people are people and car expenses do matter (to some of them at least). So, sure the subject of this post would rather drive a Lark if for nothing else than to NOT draw stares from other motorists plus the Lark was most likely more economical to operate.JimsLeadCommander
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