Drive Your Studebaker Day Stories

[m5pickup]

It was a beautiful day here today in Long Island, NY. I gassed up the M5 and thought a visit to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on Bald Hill would be an appropriate venue for recognizing both July 4th and Drive Your Studebaker Day.

The memorial was peaceful and the drive pleasant.

Happy 4th to all, with gratitude to the those whose service to our country makes days like today possible.

Regards-
John Stine
46 M5 Pickup

[tutone63]

I'm gonna go ahead and post this on both forums, just copy and paste to save time. I store my Lark 23 miles from my home in the closest garage that I have access too. It was pouring last night, and my wife was telling me "You want to drive your Lark in the RAIN!?" I told her "Well, tommorrow is drive your studebaker day...rain or shine! I want to drive it home tonight so that all day on saturday I can drive it." So, we drove it home in the rain. Actually, it was kinda fun with the wipers going and the lightning flashing.

Anyhow, come today, the clouds were still overhead and the rain was off and on, but I did not let that deter me. I drove my Lark all over so far today, and still have more driving to go before the day is over. So far, I have logged about 80 miles, and I know that I will be driving it at least 50 more miles before she gets parked for the night. I will post my overall mileage later. I have recieved many looks and a few comments. My biggest dissapointment so far is that I have not seen one other Studebaker in the Council Bluffs/Omaha area all day. And I have gone everywere around both of those towns today.

Oh, well, I will be driving it to the fireworks tonight, and back home again...more than likely in the rain. But hey, thats all part of the fun!! I will try to get some vids/pics on my camera phone posted if I get a chance.

There are still a few hours left in the day...Get your Studebaker out!!!!




1963 Lark, 259 V8, two-tone paint, Twin Traction. Driven often, always noticed!

[curt]

We drove our 1955 President State about 25 miles this AM, around town and the county with the temperature hovering around 90. Despite the slower speeds and temperature the electric fuel pump was not needed. Around 5PM we drove to Magnolia Park. Now we are home watching TV, NPR and the Washington DC celebration. Every year the 4th is well celebrated in DC.

[sasquatch]

I drove Leroy to the county fairgrounds to look at the cars on display there and they talked me into putting him in the line-up. No trophies or prizes, just a display. Got some nice comments.

The only other Stude there was this Lark on an extended '85 Bronco II chassis.

A fun 4th of July!

Rick
Kingman, AZ

"Leroy"

[Bob Bryant]

50 miles including the Groton parade. Our 1963 Avanti, a 1957 Hawk GT, and a 1923 Dictator? coupe represented Studebaker.

Humorous comments overheard between two young fellows on the parade route during a lull in movement.

"What kind of car is that?" referring to the Avanti.

"I don't know, but it wasn't made in this country."

About 15 cars proceded after the parade to a club member's home for a potluck. Fine parade, good weather, and no problems with any cars.

[JimK]

About 20 miles up to town for lunch with the wife and back the long way by Bandelier Nat'l Monument. The nut connecting the accelerator linkage to the carburetor came off just as I parked the Hawk back into the garage. Only took a minute to diagnose and maybe two more to rectify. Glad it happened in the garage and not on the road.

Jim K.
63 Hawk

[Chris Pile]

A hearty "Well Done" to today's Studebaker Drivers!

Chris Pile
Editor: The Studebaker Special

http://midwaystudebakers.tripod.com/

[Metman]

Started the day going to the local parade with our 63 GT Hawk.
Then went to see my 95 year old dad. He was real happy to see me pull up in it. He purchased the Hawk in 1966, and it's been in the family since.
Got lots of looks and waves driving around today..
Was a beautiful sunny day here in the Philly area! [8D]

Happy Motoring! Matt

1963 GT Hawk
1960 Metropolitan Convertible
1972 AMC Javelin/ AMX
1958 Cushman Eagle

[Pat Dilling]

Drove about 37 miles up to Grass Valley where I met up with 9 other Stude Owners and even more fans. We then lined up and drove in the Independence Day parade. Many comments and thumbs up during and even before the parade while we were parked waiting for the parade to begin.



After the parade, drove back home and cruised around Marysville and Yuba City. Then this evening drove back to Yuba City for the Saturday night cruise at IHOP. Total mileage for the day: 105. And enjoyed every one of them!

Matthew, thanks for the great idea!


Pat Dilling
Olivehurst, CA
Custom '53 Starlight aka Stu Cool

LS1 Engine Swap Journal: http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/jour...ournalid=33611

[Andy R.]

My beautiful, lovely, understanding, tolerant, 8 mos. pregnant wife accompanied me for 4+ hours of Studebakering. Bless this sweet woman's soul!

Stage 1: San Francisco to Sausalito for incredible brunch at Le Garage Bistro.
A dozen or so "thumbs up", horn toots, and pics/waves from tourists on the GG Bridge. First exit into Sausalito with slow traffic...accidentally joined in the back of the PARADE!! Got hit on by 3 septuagenarian ladies in lawn chairs, much to my wife's amusement. [:X]

Stage 2: Sausalito to Corte Madera to get a rug for the baby's room.
Sales clerk: "You want to put it IN THERE?!" The Hawk earns its keep. [^]

Stage 3: Corte Madera to Mill Valley for primo, high foot-traffic parking spot and Cici's incredible gelato.
Score: "It's a Studebaker!" - 5, "Gran TORINO!!" - 9

Stage 4: Mill Valley to Mt. Tamalpais and Bolinas Ridge Rd.
This route, both ways, with elevation change of 2450 ft. []


Stage 5: Mt. Tam to San Francisco...
Whipping all 210 horses to get carsick co-pilot home ASAP. Guy in butterscotch-colored Rolls-Royce at GG Bridge Toll Plaza yells, "You got me beat!" [8D]

Thanks Matthew, Mr. Shaw, and everyone else for encouraging this to happen.
DYSD ruled!

Andy
62 GT

[Sdude]

Took both Studebakers to the Dixon May Fair Grounds for a Show and Shine benefit for the local football team. I had the only two Studebakers there. I took home a second place plaque for my truck. I ran into a local friend that owns a Studebaker and told him about IDYSD. He brought his Chevy panel van instead. He uses the Studebaker when he goes fishing. We later took the Commander to Safeway. Didn't see any other Studes yet today but I've yet to do the fireworks.

Jon Stalnaker
Editor, Hawk Talks
Karel Staple Chapter SDC