New Car - S2D

[J_Cole]

As many of you already know via Facebook, my new Commander arrives tomorrow! I'm super excited, it's a total dream come true. I have a FitBit and my resting heart rate is sky high over the last couple days since I'm so excited to get the car!

I first saw it in 2007 at the South Bend swap meet and in the race where it beat the Nissan 350Z. I was home from grad school and went with Paul Pzikzszai and my sister to the swap meet then my sister and I went to the drag races. I didn't see the car at the swap meet, we actually went to go see that awesome red tubbed 53 convertible. But after seeing S2D beat the 350Z, I was smitten. We had to leave before I could see it up close so tomorrow will actually be the first time I've ever seen the car up close or sat in it. I've wanted a '53 Starliner literally since i was just over a year old and having attended my first swap meet in May of 1984 in South Bend.

I honestly cannot believe it's going to be mine. It hasn't set in yet.

[junior]

I don't do FB...but if what I think you are saying is that you actually purchased Dick Steinkamp's S2D then lucky you! That car is an iconic '53 modified Starliner. I saw it at the 2005 international meet, but it was raining so no one was around. Would have loved to see under the hood and chat with Mr. Steinkamp. Post some photos!
cheers, junior

[candbstudebakers]

I have seen, sat in, and ridden in it many times when dick lived in California, and also raced it in Omaha drags in 2006 with my 2001 Chevy pick up, the strip is a 1/8 mile, the race was close only because Dick in S2D had problems getting traction. My truck with traction control had no problem. it was a fun time at the races. Speaking of races I sure hope the pure stock races in Mi. will not be cancelled as I'am planning on being there in mid Sept. the pure stock races are always a fun place to be and my friend Ian Mackellar from Australia plans on coming over also. We have been there before.

[Dick Steinkamp]

[J_Cole]

junior it's one and the same! Thank you! I have always preferred the look of an original '53 and wanted a '53 Starliner forever. But Dick knocked it out of the park with this build, I absolutely love everything that he did when he built the car. I wouldn't change a thing, I'm not sure if there is a nicer one in existence.

Thanks for posting the picture Dick Steinkamp and for the help on the '54 Commander that I've been working on.

it's going to be a restless night tonight for sure. I'm sure it will be dirty when it gets here tomorrow but i'll post some pictures. I used Intercity Lines to ship it, expensive but didn't want to risk shipping a car as nice as this one with a no name shipping company. I was originally supposed to get it a month ago or so but the coronavirus and work commitments led me to having it shipped instead of picking it up myself.

[studegary]

I never knew that it was for sale. If I did, you would have had competition. The best of luck with a very nice Starliner.

[J_Cole]

studegary, Thanks! I'm so excited and equally nervous. It's a lot of pressure to be taking on S2D and being its next caretaker. It was never offered to the public. I emailed Ed last winter when I started looking for a Starliner and when I found the 54 Starlight I ended up buying, I mentioned to him I was still looking for a Starliner. He mentioned that he was looking into selling S2D and we worked out a deal. I am so gracious and humbled that he helped my dream come true. I never envisioned this day happening!

I talked to the truck driver a couple hours ago and it will be here around 830 or 9 tomorrow morning!

[J_Cole]

She arrived and is better than expected. I am so excited! It’s such a pleasure to drive.

[studegary]

It looks great. It reminds me of Bob Bourke's own Starliner. I hope that you have a good secure garage to house it in.

[Dick Steinkamp]

It looks as good as the day I finished it 20 years ago....maybe better since I know Ed made some excellent improvements to it.

It is a great driver. I think I put about 30,000 miles on it including Rod and Custom's Americruise...San Francisco to LA, then to Lincoln and back to SF. After the Phoenix zone meet I did Phoenix to SF in 13 hours straight. SF to Seattle for the Goodguys show in Puyallup non stop, and SF to Bellingham straight through when I moved here.

Drive it and enjoy it!

[J_Cole]

Dick Steinkamp i only saw the car from the drag strip in 2007 but fell hard for it that day. This is the first time I’ve seen it up close and it’s even better than I imagined. I had two friends come over today and we spent a couple hours just looking at it and crawling over it. And it looks like it was built yesterday. It’s in incredible condition. My friends were blown away when I told them you out about about 30k miles on the car. It looks new.

I can’t get over how deep the paint is either. My first car out of college was a 2005 Magnum RT and the paint wasn’t as deep. It’s like looking at a mirror! It’s amazing. The driving experience is so nice as well. I honestly didn’t think I could get more excited but after getting it and driving it, I’m so happy.

[6hk71400]

Dick, I remember the car when you drove it to Phoenix for the Zone Meet. It was hard to get a picture without a reflection from the dazzling straight Black paint job.

Purloining and modifying a line from Mr Blandings builds his dream house, Justin, you sure have a pretty car there. Take good care of it.

Bob Miles

[J_Cole]

Thanks 6hk71400 and studegary

[S2Deluxe]

Wow, Justin! You've got yourself, one awesome Starliner. I'll never forget the time, Dick took me for a ride in it. Up Arastradero Rd. To Page Mill Rd. Up Page Mill, to Moody Rd. And back down to El Monte Rd. This is a route the Motorcycle racers love to use, for practicing. I don't know, how well it's shown, on Google maps? But, you do get an adrenaline rush, if you're driving it? He may not have been going, all out, with me in the car? But, it did perform flawlessly.

Mark

[J_Cole]

S2Deluxe thanks! And that sounds like so much fun!! That does look like an awesome route. I’m definitely not ready to push it like that But I spent a couple hours driving it around the area on scenic roads and ended up in dc. The car is a blast to drive especially with the open headers. Haven’t pushed the RPM’s past 4K or so but I guess if revs to 6k or so and can be raised higher.