Why.

[tutone63]

We may have already had a few threads like this, but I gotta have an outlet for my thoughts. I took my Lark out for the first time in a while (for me) and had forgotten what it felt like to drive it. (shame) I have come to the conclusion that I love driving that car. But why?

It isn't because of all the attention it gets,

It isn't because of the way it looks or sounds,

It isn't because it is an orphan,

...Even though all of those are good reasons to enjoy the drive,

The reason I like driving it is because it is...not new. No, that isn't the right way to say it. It feels different. Not just because it doesn't have power steering or power brakes, or because of the lack of a headrest. It is something else, something deeper. It has character. It has personality traits. It isn't more than a car, per se, but it is more than what cars have become. It is itself. It lacks the sterile feel of transportation today. (I am not trying to put down the modern safetly and reliability or power of new cars, but they just aren't the same, I cannot describe it) When I drive it, I feel more in tune with the road, more of a connection with the landscape around me. Simply put, I feel...more. It makes driving an experience as opposed to a routine.

...and thats about all I have to say about that.

[railway]

Yep you got. I learned to drive with these old cars, and you paid attention where you are and where others are at. Brake sooner and not as hard as you learn to with newer cars. Just ask Matthew.

[53k]

We may have already had a few threads like this, but I gotta have an outlet for my thoughts. I took my Lark out for the first time in a while (for me) and had forgotten what it felt like to drive it. (shame) I have come to the conclusion that I love driving that car. But why?

It isn't because of all the attention it gets,

It isn't because of the way it looks or sounds,

It isn't because it is an orphan,

...Even though all of those are good reasons to enjoy the drive,

The reason I like driving it is because it is...not new. No, that isn't the right way to say it. It feels different. Not just because it doesn't have power steering or power brakes, or because of the lack of a headrest. It is something else, something deeper. It has character. It has personality traits. It isn't more than a car, per se, but it is more than what cars have become. It is itself. It lacks the sterile feel of transportation today. (I am not trying to put down the modern safetly and reliability or power of new cars, but they just aren't the same, I cannot describe it) When I drive it, I feel more in tune with the road, more of a connection with the landscape around me. Simply put, I feel...more. It makes driving an experience as opposed to a routine.

...and thats about all I have to say about that.

Very nicely said!

[Lothar]

Great topic, Tutone! I like my old Champion because I DRIVE IT. It doesn't guide me, direct me, warn me, comfort me, turn the brakes on and off when it feels the need, or tell me when I'm low on washer fluid. No, it won't do much to save me in a collision, either. Some people would say that I'm reckless, have a death wish, or that I'm even crazy to drive an old car ...well, ok, I would have a tough time proving my sanity, but not just because I drive a Studebaker. I enjoy life, but I enjoy it partly because I don't worry overly much about every possible risk to life and limb that I confront through the course of a day. I would rather LIVE than merely exist. Living requires taking a few risks, both literally and figuratively. As they say in New Hampshire "Live free or die!"

[Milaca]

I understand exactly what you are saying Tutone. I also can't exactly pinpoint or describe what it is about our Studes, but driving them just feels like the right thing to do. I guess driving Studebakers for us was simply meant to be.

[Johnnywiffer]

"Character" is EXACTLY correct.

Frankly, dunno of any other car that drives like a Studebaker and I've driven a couple in 3/4ths of a century. They may not have the fastest steering in the universe, so it takes a tad more energy to wrestle it into a parking spot and you may need to arouse the brakes when you wish to stop. But, doggone it, old-fashioned as they may be by today's standards, they're UNIQUE! All of 'em! (Wait! Can a multitude be UNIQUE? Well, you get the picture!)

I'm keepin' mine!

John

[tempestan]

Well said tutone63............ I drive new vehicles generally, but for pure pleasure I drive my street rods. They don't have the creature comforts that my newer ones, but they don't have much character either. Even though both of my rods have a number of updates, for safety and performance such as disc brakes, neither has an audio system of any type, excepting engine and exhaust music and various rattles and squeaks. Just love driving the old stuff. I live in AZ, so we see lots of older vehicles here, but beyond the simple pleasure of driving them, I get a lot of "thumbs up" and lots of positive comments when I'm at a stop light or parked. Especially gratifying are the "thumbs up" and/or the positive comments from really younger persons who don't have a clue what make or model it is. tempestan

[Flashback]

I don't know about yall, but, I know WHY for me. It is a part of me, when I drive my Studebakers.

[Chris_Dresbach]

I love driving mine for a lot of the same reasons. It's the same, but yet so different for modern cars. You can actually hear it running. It also has a feel and style that modern cars just can't give. One thing I don't like about most new cars is the seats. They are comfortable, but still hard. After sitting in a modern car for a six hour road trip my legs get stiff, my back hurts, etc. When I just sit in my '40, it is much more comftorable and it feels like I could drive it to... Some place six hours away and not have a problem (other than mechanical failure...). No power steering, it has a different feeling and my car has a bigger steering wheel than new cars. I also just like the change of scenery when in my Studebaker. Where is the padding? Where are the air bags? They aren't on my car, just black painted metal with style (nothing against safety, it just looks cooler). Driving mine also has deeper meaning to me. When I drive it downtown for any reason, I always think to myself "Man, this was made here. Forged, stamped, machined, and assembled here by hand, with no robots and no high tech stuff. And this car helped support this city." One of my favorite places to drive it is down Sample street for that reason. Besides that, it's just unique and when you drive it, you KNOW you are driving it. You just have to drive one somewhere to know the feeling.

[JeffDeWitt]

Recently my Mom bought a Ford Fusion, very nice car and I get to drive it when we go to dinner and for a ride (Mom loves to go for rides). Very nice, handles well, amazing gadgets (including Microsft Sync) but...

When you comer right down to it the thing is just a car, it may be the smartest car I've ever driven but it just doesn't have much of anything in the way of character.

Driving a Studebaker, my old Jeep or even my VW Bug is a lot more fun.

[studeclunker]

Well, a lot of good reasons and interesting viewpoints. Wish I shared most of them.

In my case, I needed a car that didn't require a professional mechanic, had reasonably priced parts, good availability of said parts, and was simple enough for me to fix myself. It's a plus that I don't have to deal with the smog crap and enrich the Brown family (as in Govenor Jerry and his father).

[Laemmle]

Almost 44 years of avanti ownership has it's ups and downs.

Do I love the car?..........told the wife when I die I get layed out in the rear seat. Do I love to drive it..............more than spending a weekend with Raquel Welsh (I don't even believe that statement :-) ) But would I use as daily driver.......not on my life.......too many issues.....all that I am able to cope with.......on my terms and when I have time.......I no longer want to travel to zone meets three and four states away.......I stay local yes I have rebuilt all mechanicals.......but just do not like to push her in the heat of summer........and candidly Sun Race gas is available to me on Long Island.......but once that precious liquid is used up and I am away from home base.......93 sends chills up my spine.......due to lot's of detonation.

[silverhawk]

Amen to that Nathan! I LOVE mine! She's far from perfect, but I sure aren't going to get rid of it. As you said, there is something "different", that goes further than the lack of modern amenities.

[Aussie Hawk]

I understand the way Tutone63 described his feeling when driving his Stude, for me it is akin to the feeling I sometimes get when standing on the foot plate of a steam traction engine or paddle steamer. I've been involved with steam equipment most of my life, and had the privilege of driving traction engines and engineering on paddle steamers. Being on that foot plate is like being in the belly of a living fire breathing creature, while not quite the same in your Stude, you do feel, hear, and experience every vibration, rattle and squeak, (and know when something isn't right). You become part of the machine.

Just one more thing - Tutone63, if you feel that good driving a Lark, you'd orgasm driving a GT Hawk ;-)

[jtw37]

Remember jumping in the ole family Fliver (Don't know where that name ever came from.) and going to the favorite Ice Cream stand for a Sundae or cone? We've done that for as far back as I can remember. Still do it today, except the family is smaller then when I was growing up. Matter of fact, I asked the wife last night, wanna go for an Ice Cream? Let's take the Coupe. After arriving and getting our wishes and were sitting in the car, three people came up talking to us about our car and their memories of back when. Like some many of you said, there is just this connection you make, when your out in your old car. I don't think I can remember any of the old cars, that didn't have a pet name, like Bessy, Thumper or the ole Fliver. The newer cars of today just don't get the prestige of getting a pet name. It's the Buick, Chevy, Ford or SUV. Now that's classy. Our 37 is either The 37, The Coupe or Our Baby. I've had her for 32 years and I can't remember a time when it wasn't more fun and settling to drive it and hear it purr. Nothing can touch that. It makes me sad to know that one day, I won't be here to enjoy a ride in our Baby. Actually we named her "Afternoon Delight". That's another story for another day. Use your imagination. The folks today, just don't know what they are missing, do they.