Kansas Wreck Deadly For Studebaker Driver - Passengers Injured.(4/20/2013)

[DEEPNHOCK]

http://cjonline.com/news/2013-04-20/iola-man-killed-crawford-county-crash

(snippet...see link for entire article)
Iola man killed in Crawford County crash
Three other men injured in wreckRichard J. Sigg was pronounced dead at the scene.
Troopers said Sigg was approaching K-7 while going westbound on E. 590th as he drove a 1963 Studebaker.
A 1999 Dodge Dakota was northbound on K-7. The Studebaker failed to stop at the stop sign, troopers said, and was struck by the Dakota.
Also injured in the Studebaker were David L. Redfern, 66, and Raymond D. Sutterby, 62, both of Iola

[57pack]

So sad to read about. I will install seat belts in my Packard when I put her back on the road!
Commiserations to his family and hope the other fellows get better soon.

[Chris Pile]

That's sad to hear about.
I don't think Mr. Sigg was in the SDC, as I couldn't find his name in the 2011 roster.

[swvalcon]

Maybe a good reason to add a double mastercylinder to your studebaker.

[qsanford]

Although, being a '63, it could have had a dual Mastercylinder.

[BobPalma]

So sad. No Redferns or Sutterbys in the 2011 SDC Roster, either. BP

[Swifster]

Seat belts and dual mastercylinders are a must to me. But this article didn't lay blame on the brakes. I wonder if he was distracted or had a health problem.

[53k]

My sister-in-law lives near Iola. As soon as the story hits the Iola Register she'll probably contact me when she see the word Studebaker.
In 1973 I bought the entire dealer stock of the Studebaker dealer in Iola, Habiger Motors- got some really good stuff. I passed on a long block Packard V-8 because of the weight and size and I passed on a 47-52 door (two-door type). Hauled the parts back east in a 14-foot U-Haul trailer behind the '64 Champ. They told me about another dealer a few miles east of Iola in a tiny town named Bronson. I drove over and the dealership was no longer there, but their old building was. It was a Quonset building that was being used for grain storage. The elevator would sell me the big two-sided neon dealer sign for $50, but I didn't have time to look for help in getting it down and it was too big to go in the Champ eight-foot bed. I did climb up the side walls and got a couple of the big Lark banners (1960 and 1961). The dealership was a combination Studebaker-Allis Chalmers business.

[StudeRich]

I really do not see how a Dual Master Cylinder could help you, if you do not notice the Stop sign.

There is a good chance this was a GT Hawk, at this point we do not know, pretty tragic to hear though.

The way I have it figured from the info we have, is the Driver was hit in the Drivers Door, that can never be good.

Did you ever notice that when a Studebaker is involved in a wreck, that is ALWAYS mentioned?
I guess it is not everyday that people see Studebakers driving and in wrecks, because the makes of modern Cars are not always mentioned.

[dnevin]

I grew up in that area, and am familiar with the intersection. While that part of the county is flat, there are slight curves on both roads--perhaps the driver simply did not see the other car and entered the intersection, or, if unfamiliar with the area, didn't notice the stop sign. Both the road and the highway are similar in size, but the highway doesn't stop.

Sorry to hear this happened.

[63 R2 Hawk]

Before I condemn Studebaker single master cylinders, Mr Sigg, poorly placed country road stop signs or 60 year old Studebakers in general, I would like to know more about what may have happened to cause this. In the meantime, my thoughts and prayers are with Mr Sigg's family and those injured in this tragic accident. It should be a wakeup call for all of us to pay attention to maintenance of whatever brakes our 60+ year old cars may have and be proactive in installing things like seat belts, working signals, windshield wipers, non-pitted windshields, etc. Even a modern nanny car won't save you from every possible mechanical or human failure.

[JoeHall]

This news really makes me step back and think. I just returned from a 190 mile drive in the 63GT today. Average speed was 70-75, with highest speed of 90 mph; today's average was about 5 mph faster, and highest speed was about 15 mph faster then I usually go. Though 70-75 was flowing with traffic, it still was a little fast for an old car, but there is NO excuse for 90 mph in any car. Further, my 10 year old son was with me. Of course I have lap belts (better than nothing), good breaks, etc., but like i said, this news makes me stop and think.

My sincerest condolences to Mr. Sigg, his friends & family.

[thunderations]

Sad to hear, my condolences to all involved. We may never know the reason, mechanical failure or pilot error, but safety equipment is a big plus in any accident. I have plans to put 3 point belts in my 50 champion when I finish it. Might not be correct, but I'll sure feel better about it. Not sure that anything would have helped in a major hit in the drivers door, but the passengers might have had less injuries. Our thoughts and prayers to the families.

[Chris Pile]

At the Midway Chapter meeting today, I mentioned Mr. Sigg. It turns out Ralph and Ella Mae Studebaker of Thayer knew him. They were sorry to hear of his passing.

[1962larksedan]

In all fairness: had that Dakota been going at a high rate of speed; a straight on T bone impact would probably total even a modern car with probable serious injury-------reinforced body or not.