The Studebaker Affair

Drivers To Show Off Their Cars On June 28

BRISTOL, Tenn. – Step into days gone by.
“Studebaker mechanic on duty,” pronounces a sign outside John Kelley’s auto repair shop, Kelley’s Korner. That’s a clue.
Open a door and walk inside. Oil, gas and grease scents combine for a decidedly old school and inviting garage smell.
No high-tech diagnostic gadgetry. No air conditioning. No computers. More evidence.
Three Studebakers grab attention. Bingo.
Backed up along the left wall in order sit Kelley’s 1964 Studebaker Commander, a 1963 Studebaker Lark Cruiser and finally a 1963 Studebaker Lark Wagonaire station wagon.
Kelley will drive his ’64 to the 30th Anniversary Car Show presented by the East Tennessee Chapter of the Studebaker Drivers Club on June 28 at Bristol Motor Speedway.
“It’s all Studebakers and Packards,” Kelley said, sitting with his legs crossed on the back bumper of a Volkswagen Beetle. “No Chevrolets. No Fords.”
Each registered Studebaker and Packard will have an opportunity to be driven on the track famously known as the world’s fastest half-mile track. Also, two trophies will be given for each of 14 classes based on various criteria. The first 100 registrants will also receive a dash plaque and goody bag.
“I’m hoping for at least 100 cars,” said Kelley, president of the East Tennessee Chapter of the Studebaker Drivers Club.

STUDEBAKER HISTORY
Based in South Bend, Ind., Studebaker began in 1852 as builders of wagons. Times changed, and the company adapted.
Studebaker automobiles were manufactured in America from 1902 through 1963, and then in Canada until 1966. Packard merged with Studebaker in 1954, a short-lived pairing as Packard ceased production in 1958.
Several dealerships sold Studebakers in the Tri-Cities. Kelley said they included Poteet Motors located at 814 Broad St. in Bristol, Tenn.
Studebaker collector Don Jones, a Bristol, Va. native who now lives in Pennsylvania, owns several Studebakers, including a 1961 pickup truck.
“Studebaker was the only wagon manufacturers to successfully transition from making wagons to automobiles,” Jones said. “They built electric cars from 1902 to 1911. They started building gas cars in 1904. They built wagons from 1850 to 1920.”
Remarkable.
“Look at those dates,” Jones said. “They were making electric cars, gas cars and wagons at the same time.”
Jones said he’s only seen one working-condition Studebaker electric car driven during a car show. He may see another one in Bristol.
Dewey Crum of Kingsport owns a 1906 Studebaker electric. He said weather permitting – the car was built with and continues to have leather fenders – he will bring the rare car to the show.
And if so, he will drive it at, though not to, the show.
“It’s too slow to drive other than in parades,” Crum said. “The book on it says it goes 13 mph.”
A brand known for its distinctive appearance, Crum’s Studebaker will no doubt prove most distinctive of all in attendance.
“Most people wonder, what is it,” Crum said. “One fellow said it looks like a telephone booth on wheels.”

STUDEBAKER DISTINCTION
Studebakers are known for their distinctive looks. The ultra rare 1958 Packard Hawk (based on the Studebaker Golden Hawk with grill and deck differences) features a grinning grill that looks a chromed catfish. The 1951 Champion pointed the way with a sharply pointed bullet nose.
So, what is it about Studebakers?
“Even back in the ’30s, Studebakers were spiffy,” said Jim Johnson of Gray, Tenn. “Boy, the grill work stood out.”
Johnson owns two Studebakers, including his prized 1953 Commander with a rare Continental kit – an extension on the back end of the car that includes an ornate tire cover. He also owns a 1956 Sky Hawk. He plans to bring both to the show in Bristol.
“This ’53 was so futuristic looking back then,” Johnson said. “Fords and Chevys looked like a brick. Studebakers stood out.”

SPIN IN A STUDEBAKER
Kelley’s 1964 Commander sure does. Climb aboard for a ride.
Painted to resemble a taxi in two-tone red and crème, the car drives like nothing new on the road today. There is no air conditioning. No shoulder belts, only lap belts.
So with windows down and lap belts fastened, a quick spin from Kelley’s Korner to Steele Creek Park and back proved quite a treat.
Kelley grinned the whole way, first from behind the wheel.
“These cars feel good on the road,” he said. “You can feel the road.”
Heads turned as Kelley’s car motored along.
Johnson can relate.
“I get all kinds of thumbs-up on the road,” Johnson said. “One day a lady told me that she would swap her Lexus for my Studebaker. I said no thanks.”
Back inside Kelley’s Studebaker, power steering comes from the arms and not from under the hood. Every bump, crack or dip in the pavement easily transfers from the tires, through the car and through the body and arms of the driver.
Cars such as his are not silky smooth and dainty. They have character and charm.
Johnson could not agree more, regarding his prized 1953 Studebaker.
“It feels like it makes you a foot taller. It drives great,” Johnson said. “I drive it about 2,000 miles a year. I wouldn’t be afraid to drive it to California.”

STUDEBAKER STORIES
From Tennessee to Texas and indeed California too, Studebaker owners have stories to tell. In that regard, they are not any different than most lovers of old cars.
Johnson fell in Studebaker love 50 years ago.
“When I was 18, I was in college and found a ’53 that I fell in love with,” Johnson, 68, said. “It was a Commander, two-door, six-cylinder with a Continental kit on it. I talked them down to $545.”
One problem. Johnson’s pockets held but $45.
“I called daddy and said I need $500,” Johnson said. “Well, he said, ‘Son, that car is 5 years old.’ ”
Case closed. No car – then.
Years later and Johnson’s love of the 1953 Studebaker Commander grew. So did the car’s value. Few were made and as years flew by the make’s value skyrocketed.
Then one day in May 2006, he found one at a Studebaker-Packard show in Boone, N.C.
“My heart went flip-flop,” Johnson said. “I asked him if he’d sell it. He said, ‘Yeah, for $45,000.’ Well, my heart did another flip-flop.”
Dejected, Johnson returned home to Gray, Tenn. and the man who owned the car of his dreams returned to his home in Spartanburg, S.C. Yet there was gold in the pot at the end of the rainbow in Johnson’s dreams.
The man was pulling Johnson’s leg when he quoted a price of $45,000. For $20,000, Johnson learned, the car could be his.
Sold!
“I showed up and he said, ‘Where’s your trailer?’ ” Johnson said. “I said, ‘Trailer hell, I’m driving it back’. It’s showroom quality. It is sweet.”

STUDEBAKER SHOW
And “it” will be at the Studebaker show in Bristol. Johnson will also bring his 1956 Studebaker Sky Hawk. One is for show, but the Sky Hawk is for sale.
“I had it restored. John Kelley did the mechanical work. Oh, it’s in excellent shape,” Johnson said. “It’s red and white, better quality paint than new. It runs strong.”
Bring $15,000, and drive home Johnson’s ’56 Studebaker.
Or just drive. Kelley said whoever attends the show will see Studebakers that are driven. Some will appear as if new, and some will not.
“If you come through a mud puddle on the way to the show, bring it on anyway,” Kelley said as his eyes widened to punctuate his point. “This is a Studebaker drivers’ club.”

IF YOU GO
What: Studebaker Drivers Club East Tennessee Chapter 30th Anniversary Car Show
When: June 28, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Bristol Motor Speedway, Volunteer Parkway, Bristol, Tenn.
Tickets: Free to attend; $30 vendor or show registration fee
Info: (423) 968-5583
Web: http://www.studebakerdriversclub.com

TOM NETHERLAND is a freelance writer. He can be reached at .