Why.

[Kurt]

Great topic. The main reason I like to drive mine, is because it makes me happy.We live in such a fast paced society nowdays and driving an old car makes me think back to days gone by when the world was not in such a hurry. When I slide behind the wheel, turn on some old music, I go back in time. It helps me get my mind cleared out. When I return home I am ready to step back into the real world.

[studerodder]

there are people who stop and talk to me when i have my 61 lark out that would NEVER speak to me in any other situation. at gas stations, traffic lights, parking lots, everywhere. many years ago, when i was racing circle track cars, one of my mentors asked me why i raced. after supplying him with several answers, he said NOPE, ITS YOUR EGO. same thing here i guess.
Butch

[alanmende]

One of the reasons I enjoy driving Grace, our 1954 Commander Starliner, is that I drive it; it doesn't drive me. Years ago, my dad said he'd never buy a car with an automatic transmission for the same reason. When I drive Grace (and no, our other cars don't have names, not even our old pick-up), I have to pay attention. As much as I like cruise control on a long trip, when I drive Grace, I watch the gauges and all the traffic around me -- and up ahead. My wife's Lexus RX400h is a very nice vehicle that will protect us in an accident much, much better than a '54 hardtop ever would, but it is so, so easy to get lulled almost to sleep in the Lexus. Cathy's almost standard line when I drive her car is, "Are you falling asleep?" This is not to say that I don't watch what's going on a quarter of a mile ahead of us when we're in a modern vehicle, but I know that in an emergency, I can tromp down on the Lexus or Honda brake pedal and their disk brakes and anti-lock braking systems will bring me to a quicker stop than Grace's four undersized drums.

I have to listen to Grace's sounds and be aware of how she feels in my hands and the seat of my pants. She has no on-board computer and lights on the dash telling me to check engine or that her fuel tank is almost empty. There's no bell that tells me that her door is open or that her headlights are still on. When you drive an old car, you have to be the driver and not just another passenger who gets to hold onto that big round twisty thing in front of you.

[clonelark]

Could be your ego i guess, but when i drive my 64 Lark it just feels so good as you cruise down an expressway and see other people fly by you, some wave some could care less. But the feeling is unmatchable (is that a word). Can't wait till i get to drive it to Springfield and see others like me enjoying thier same feelings. It's just different than any other bread and butter car on the road.

[studecruiser]

I know the feeling exactly. But to go a step further - sometimes I get the feeling that the Cruiser enjoys being on the road as much as I do. Ok, I've lost it!

[COMMANDERPINK1]

I enjoy driving my Studes all the time, but its probably the fact that the biggest influence for my part is memories it brings of my parents and family, which were Studebaker owners and drivers. Just the thoughts of good times.

Tom

[JRoberts]

Gee Tutone that is exactly it. You have hit the nail right square on the head. I cannot imagine a better way to put it. Thanks!

[JRoberts]

I enjoy driving my Studes all the time, but its probably the fact that the biggest influence for my part is memories it brings of my parents and family, which were Studebaker owners and drivers. Just the thoughts of good times.

Tom

Tom, there is a lot to what you say. I own the '65 Cruiser that my uncle purchased new. When I drive it I often think of the trips he, aunt and my cousins took in that car. When I drive my Champ I think of the '50 C-cab my dad had and remember sitting in the bed watching a parade go down N. 30th Street in Omaha. Yep, I too can't help but think of the family connection when I drive my Studebakers.

[Aussie Hawk]

Tutone63 you have described the 'glue / common link' that holds all of us together, no matter where on the globe we come from. We are all blessed / cursed with that Studebaker feeling. This is why some folk just can't grasp the concept of our interest in them, and the enjoyment we get from it.

[BobPalma]

Good thoughts, everyone.

This saves me opening a new thread I was thinking about as I drove a rented 2010 Nissan Versa (what the h*ll is a Versa?) earlier this week in Florida. When we flew to Phoenix for the National Meet, we rented a Hyundia Accent.

The title of my thread was going to be Cars as Appliances. You can imagine the discourse that would have ensued, pretty much all of it having been posted here one way or another. <GGG> BP

[jclary]

This reminds me of a post I did months ago about my "Studebaker short cuts." The nearest post office to me is only about 5 miles. However, if I pull one of my Studebakers out of the "man cave," I usually take a trip through the country on little two lane roads to a post office in a small town called Campobello. It is about 15 miles one way. There is just something about a leisure trip by farms, peach orchards, and through the woods while driving your Studebaker. The friendly waves from people who still sit on their front porches does wonders to reassure me that not the entire world has gone crazy. Today I drove my little 55 truck to church. Needless to say, I had no trouble telling which vehicle was mine in the parking lot.

[barnlark]

I'm still trying to put miles on my newly rebuilt original engine until the rings seat, so I went on an anti-destination society style drive at noon. A very pleasant drive ensued through the countryside for about three hours. I returned home and finished filling in my multiple stump grindered holes throughout my yard.

My reward after a refreshing shower an hour before sunset was another drive to get a frozen custard and park the car for fifteen minutes. The crowd of kids aged ten to sixteen there just loved it and its unique name; Studebaker. I hopped back in and drove until well after dark because there is absolutely nothing that puts a silly smile on my face more and completely relaxes me that driving this Lark convertible near dusk. The car ran cool, traffic was minimal and we both purred with contended happiness in the open air. Very satisfying every time. My favorite escape. That's my why, Tutone63. Great post!

[tutone63]

Wow! I was not expecting such a response! I was just trying to mold my feelings in to words. I feel honored to have brought up a pleasant and enjoyable subject. There is so much I could say in response to what many of you have said here in affirmation, but that would just seem superfluous at this point. Thanks for the feedback!

[hawk1up]

Yeah I like to take the 59 Silver Hawk out for a spin and listen to that little 6cyl , I love the feel of the 3 spd going through the gears, the simplicity of it all. When I have one of those days when everything seems to go wrong I fire up the Hawk and I'm lost in the 50's again.

[raprice]

I think tutone hit the nail on the head. I too love driving my Lark VI. Most of the time, I'll just pull it out of the garage and go out for a joy ride, just for the heck of it. It's a very soothing ride. No power steering or power brakes. No power windows too. Just the pure fun and enjoyment of driving a piece of history.
Rog