Back in May there was a thread started about accidents, and I reported my friend's terrible crash of his '51 Studebaker at the drag strip.  It was a twin turbocharged Studebaker powered 10 second 140 mph car.

I never reported any followup info, so here it is.  Seven weeks after the accident he drove one of his other cars in a pure stock drag race meet in Martin, Mi.  This pure stock car is a '63 Studebaker Lark factory equipped with a Paxton blown Avanti engine.  Now one of his injuries was a broken right clavicle, and this car is a 4 speed.  He not only drove it at the meet, but won his 2 out of 3 match with a car of similar performance.  What an inspiration this 74 year young guy is to me!

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"

Some of those Stude guys are tough as nails...your friend is proof-positive! Is the car he wrecked black by chance? I have seen a bunch of turbo'd ones, but there is a black one that stands out in my memory as being pretty nice....and fast!





-reed

Reed Patridge
Birmingham, Al
1936 Ford Pickup, Flathead powered cruiser
Model A Roadster, 292" Y-Block "project" vehicle

And. as you told me last nite, he went a 12.60 with a 1.91 60 foot time at Muncie Sat. with a Studebaker, on street tires!!

    By the way, the Hurricane is able to run consistent 11's now. when he wants to.

Frank/Rebop

Bristol, In ( by Elkhart) 

I guess for every story with a happy ending there is one with sad one. A guy who has been a Studebaker nut all his life works for me part time and his wife cashiers for me at a convenience store. He was so Studebaker crazy, he named his lane Studebaker drive when the 911 addresses came about. 2 years ago he blacked out on the way home, took out some fence and landed about 6 feet up a tree next to the river. His doctor will not allow him to drive so he has sold all his Studebakers except his wife's favorite Studebaker. He had wreckers for about 40 years. I recently bought a 57 GMC with a Holmes 525. He is real excited about it and his wife has asked me to let him help me tinker on it in hopes of getting interest in life again.

Kenneth

Fredricksburg, Texas

Reed:

His was dark blue with "Chicken Hawk" lettered on the sides.

Crenwedge, I hope your friend's zest for life returns soon.

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"

Here's a Studebaker story for you guys.

My 90 year old Grandpa,in 1966 went into the Studebaker dealer and bought the last car they had the day before they closed their doors.It was a 4 door President.He drove it home(2 miles)and parked it in the garage.When he died in 1970,it was still sitting right there.The family had an estate sale a few months later.The Studebaker  sold for $200.

 

Paul,

Boonville,MO

I can't swear to it, but I have been told that the last Stude dealership too close its doors was in Clio, AL. My Grandpa bought a new 51 pickup there and later traded it for a 56 Ford pickup. The old building is still there although it is falling in there are a few cars still in a shed out back. I have never stopped there, but I've been told that the heirs would not sell anything after the owner died.

Glen Henderson



Freedom is not Free

Letohatchee, AL

"Chicken Hawk"....that it the one, the magazine article was in B&W...but that was the car. Is it re-buildable or a total loss??



-reed

Reed Patridge
Birmingham, Al
1936 Ford Pickup, Flathead powered cruiser
Model A Roadster, 292" Y-Block "project" vehicle

Reed:

There isn't a straight panel on it, the frame is buckled and bent, the rear axle took the brunt of the hit into the scoreboard, so the driveshaft probably crammed the innards of the transmission (turbo 400), a steering rod got loose and punctured the oil pan, engine condition unknown at this point.  Front suspension totally destroyed, broke the center out of one of the front wheels.  He still has the car, but is undecided what he'll do with it at this point.  He told me last Saturday that to get the engine out he will probably have to roll it on its side and torch some things, and he's not ready to put a torch to it yet.  He's been racing it for 48 years, I know it's hard to let go.  I'll try to remember to bring some pictures of it to Columbus.

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"

Just saw the pics of the accident in the new Hot Rod Mag...I know he was sore for a while...really lucky guy.

Reed Patridge
Birmingham, Al
1936 Ford Pickup, Flathead powered cruiser
Model A Roadster, 292" Y-Block "project" vehicle