Story by Jon Stalnaker AKA The Studebaker Dude
To call myself a Car Guy… I use that term loosely, and I have considered myself a car guy for most of my life. If you have been reading my stories for a long time, you already know this. Many of my stories are “car-centric”, reflecting my social interactions, values, and identity, and even going so far as emotional connections with my cars, most specifically Studebakers.
I like more than just Studebakers, but I have delved deeply into the Studebaker world. I have a good reason why I call myself The Studebaker Dude. (Please note that I call myself THE Studebaker Dude and not just A Studebaker Dude). I have two walls full of proof of my Studebaker addiction and accolades, and a magazine rack full of stories I have written on the subject in car magazines. Not to mention more on the garage walls and my two prized Studebakers that take up two-thirds of the garage parking at home. There’s more, but you get the gist of it.
I’ve backed off my car-related activities since I moved to Oklahoma. Mostly because my Mother-in-Law was struggling with her independence. She required much more of our time and attention, and that was the most important thing we had on our agenda. As it should have been. Giving up Studebaker activities was the right thing to do, and I wouldn’t have wanted to do it any other way. I’m still a car guy, and now it’s just time for me to get back in it. How deeply remains to be seen. I still feel like I have something to offer.
The last three years have been idle time for my bullet-nose Studebaker for sure. My truck has been on the road, but not enough to keep its battery from needing a jump start a few times. I had an opportunity to get some pictures of the two of them in front of the house, but when I tried to start the car, it made a noise that sounded extremely expensive. I know better than to let it sit for so long without a little exercise. Shame on me.
Lucky for me, I have made friends with some other car guys here in Oklahoma, and BJ is the first person I called. When he came by, it didn’t sound as bad as it did the first time, but it still needed help. He told me what to buy, and he came by later, and voila, there it is; there you are.
It started right up, and we took it for a spin. It still has a few issues I would like to address, but the engine sounds fine now. Being part of a local club is the best thing I can do. Not only are there great mechanics in these clubs, but they also know where I can take the Studes to get them properly repaired. They don’t have to be Studebaker aficionados, as underneath the beautiful Studebaker sheet metal, they are both modern cars. I can be the Studebaker aficionado in the club, just not one who can fix stuff. But I do know a lot about Studebakers, and I’m well connected in the Studebaker world, so I know where to get parts.
I really am a car guy, but I am a lousy mechanic. But getting back into the car club world is something that I need to do. I was invited to join our local club, which I will. I did join the local Studebaker Club Chapter when I first moved to Oklahoma, but that club will be folding later this year.
I want to get both of my Studebakers roadworthy in time for the 100-year anniversary of Route 66. There will be many opportunities to get my beloved Studebakers back on the road, where they can be seen and appreciated. I may even get involved with the Studebaker Drivers Club again, if they’ll have me. I have a lot of ideas and a willingness to make a few cool things happen next year.
I’m a little scared to put myself out there, but I still have a lot of friends in the Studebaker world, and I have a big desire to see Studebaker get some recognition with the centennial of the Mother Road next year.
I’ve been away for a while, but what am I talking about! I AM a Car Guy. The Studebaker Dude, to be exact. As Ralph Malph of Happy Days used to say, “I still got it”…
