By Jon Stalnaker
I own two Studebakers because I like driving something that is unique, a vehicle that is different enough for it to be safe to expect would be the only one in the parking lot. Studebaker made lots of cars from 1902 till 1966 so even if there is another Studebaker in the lot, it’s not likely to look just like mine. My wife’s car is a twilight blue Subaru Outback. I frequently walk past several of them to get to her car, it can be quite embarrassing to get caught trying to get into someone else’s car by mistake. That never happens when I drive the Studebaker.
That doesn’t mean that I want to be the only Sapulpan that has a Studebaker. On the contrary, when I see another Studebaker, I always want to meet the owner, hoping to make yet another friend in the Studebaker world. I have met a few in Sapulpa and have joined the Local Chapter of the Studebaker Drivers Club. I was much more involved with the club before we moved to Oklahoma and can foresee the day when I get involved again. I recently became friends with Terry Clark who is building a Studebaker truck similar to mine. Soon y’all will see it around town, but for now it’s undergoing a resurrection.
I wrote a story about the opening of the Tee Pee Drive-In for the Studebaker Drivers Club magazine. It was published in this month’s issue. I sent Micah a picture of the story and promised to bring the magazine by so he could read it. He sent me a picture of an old yellow and black car that he was told is a Studebaker. It was indeed a Stude and I thirsted for more information about it. I wanted an opportunity to meet the new custodian of the car. It turned out to be none other than Joe Krout of recent Diggum-Deep Mortuary notoriety. I remember reading that story recently and was glad that now I had a good reason to meet him. Micah hooked me up with an invitation, so I hopped into my Studebaker and set out to check out this cool-looking car.
Joe told me he was familiar with my stories and had seen pictures of my truck. He was thinking that I would be disappointed with his new acquisition as my truck is all fancied up and his new Studebaker is a beater. I assured him that nothing could be further from the truth. As a matter of fact, I love cars like his. It reeks of cool and the fact that it was painted with a brush over a rusty old body only gives it character in my mind. It belonged to a Studebaker guy and has “Mike Meyer Sign Painter Chester Iowa” painted on the sides and trunk lid. I recognized seeing the car somewhere but couldn’t put my finger on it. Probably one of the many Studebaker-related Facebook groups I belong to. But Joe knows Mike as the two work together making signs. Joe told me he bartered a deal for the car and has no intention of making a show car out of it. I was actually happy to hear that as I really like the car as is. As I said earlier, the car is just plain cool. Besides, it fits Joe’s personality perfectly since he referred to himself as the “PT Barnum” of Sapulpa.
There were a few issues that he was interested in fixing, mostly to make the car a bit safer. We talked about finding new rear fenders and some trim pieces in the front of the car. Joe stated that he didn’t think he would even be able to find the parts, much less for a reasonable price. Being well connected in the Studebaker world, I immediately took that comment as a challenge. I like to think that Studebaker parts are in fact easier to find than many other makes of cars, even the ones that haven’t been out of the car business since 1966. So, I’m working on it. It’s time for me to step up and find parts for a rare car, even in the Studebaker world. Studebaker only produced a partial model year in 1942 as WWII put a stop to all automobile production that was not directly associated with the war effort. I have some resources but this one might take a little time. Joe’s not in a hurry though. I just hope I can pull through before long. I promise I will follow up if I am successful.
I enjoyed meeting and talking with Joe Krout, yet another cool Sapulpan. I love this town and I love living on Route 66.
