Homeward Bound: '64 Daytona collection goes home (w/update)
Studebaker National Museum Board of Directors member Ron Whiteford said it was OK to announce his purchase of my 1964 Daytona collection and its farewell to central Indiana, homeward bound for South Bend. Ron is not acting on behalf of The Studebaker National Museum; these will be his own cars.Ron lives in Granger IN, near South Bend, and owns Whiteford Kenworth, the Kenworth Truck dealer on South Bend's west side...on West Western Avenue, as a matter of fact. That's about as "west" as you can get!
I don't think Ron is on the SDC forum, but he heard of my collection through the grapevine up there and expressed an interest in buying all of them so they could stay together and "come home," which is happening. As of this writing Monday afternoon, October 24, Ron has paid for all the cars. He and his friend Andy picked up the convertible Saturday morning, October 22. He came back for the Wagonaire this morning; Monday, October 24th.
Here he is, "northbound and down," as Jerry "The Snowman" Reed would say, headed back up U.S. 31 to South Bend.
Being only 59 years old, Ron said he's gonna' do a "turn and burn" and come back for the hardtop yet today...that's two six-hour round trips in one day! Ah, youthful exuberance.
I'm not sure of Ron's ultimate plans for the set, but I have an idea he is going to improve them....which won't be at all difficult.
He is "for sure" going to keep them together; he is enchanted by their being a full set and wants them home in South Bend.I can't let his Notre Dame sweatshirt go unchallenged, so here we are Saturday morning, October 22, when he picked up the convertible. ('Sorry it's so dark; I wasn't taking the photo.) There is good Notre Dame / Purdue rivalry within the Hoosier State, so it was important for me to have my Purdue sweatshirt on that morning to keep the state's higher education scales balanced.
Folks have understandably asked, "Aren't you sad to see them go?" To which I answer, "Not really." At the end of the day, we are only caretakers of these pieces of historical iron. If we want them to "live" after we're gone, we must take steps to ensure their proper future as best we can while we are still here.
To that end, I was pleased that my good SDC friend Rex Miltenberger of Niles MI took delivery of my 1971 Plymouth Barracuda convertible on Thursday, October 20. Rex has bugged me for decades to sell him that car, as have others. When it became medically obvious that maybe I had better choose someone to "carry on" after I had owned it 46 years, Rex was at the top of my list, so I offered it to him first. He jumped at the chance.
While Rex and I were out loading the Barracuda, his wife Pam and my wife Cari were talking inside. Pam told Cari, "You can't believe how happy Rex is to finally get that car," to which Cari replied, "I hope he's as happy to have it as Bob is that it went to him." A wonderful transaction all the way around; good vibes.
Here's Rex accepting the Barracuda's 1976-issued Indiana title just before their departure north. (I think Rex is trying to grip the Barracuda's RF fender to make sure I don't change my mind!
)A busy week, to be sure. A report of the chemo and cancer goings-on will follow in Bob Miles' topic soliciting same. Thanks for all the good wishes that have been tendered here and through snail mail cards and such.
Update 5:45 PM Monday, October 24. Ron and his "assistant" Andy just left with the Daytona Hardtop:
First time behind the wheel: Ron Whiteford in the hardtop.
Easy does it, Ron; it takes time to find a given gear with an original Studebaker 4-speed shifter...that ain't a Hurst, ya' know!
Saying goodbye to a car I had cared for, such as it is, for 45 years as of September 20.... since September 20, 1977, as a matter of fact. (Good job framing the photo, Andy; it looks like the American Flag on the property next door is sticking out of my head! 'Nothing wrong with that.)
Heading back home to South Bend!
BP
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