Volume 46 No. 07
July 2012
1949 Champion
Starlight Coupe
Owned By Paul
and Tiffany Koch
Inside This Issue
Editor’s Corner 2
Looking Ahead 6
Chapter News 3, 4, 5
Studebaker of the Month 7
July 2012 Page 2
Editor’s Corner
These HOT summer days are great for all the car shows going on. There will be a few Conestoga
members, including myself, attending the Eaton Days car show in Eaton. The annual Buffalo Bill
Days Orphan Show in Golden is July 29. If you are not going to the International meet in South
Bend, the Golden show is always a good time. More information on these and other chapter
events in this issue. A friend of mine sent me the picture below of his grandfather’s Starlight
Coupe. I wanted to share this great photo.
See you on the road,
Rick
Grandpa’s Studebaker
The year was 1949 and my Grandpa, George W. Smith, was running for L.A. County Sheriff. I can’t
believe how cleaver he was to create a mobile billboard with his prized Studebaker. The billboard
washed off; the election was close, but he lost. The memory will last forever. My Grandpa bought
this car brand new. He rode a train from L.A. to South Bend, Indiana to pick this car up from the factory, and then drove it back to L.A. He loved this car. The 3-speed manual transmission with overdrive made this a very sweet ride. When Grandpa died in 1985, this car was still in the driveway, but
hadn’t been driven for many years. I have fond memories of riding in this Studebaker.
Brent Smith, Boise, Idaho
July 2012 Page 3
Western Outlook
I want to send a special “Thank You” to Arden and Gloria Exner and John Murphy for
working the Havana Cruise on June 16. Mom went, but stayed in the car. She was
able to see all the cars go by and talked to several people. The overall count of cars
was down due to the weather during the early afternoon. However, after the clouds
cleared, the late afternoon was really busy.
The regular meeting for June was held at the Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden.
There were 15 beautiful Studebakers on display. Everyone seemed to have a good
time. There were several members who rode the Galloping Goose. We had a short
meeting after the picnic lunch. It was really neat to get up close to the trains and imagine a bygone day. Thanks to Cary Ditez for putting this event together even though
things did not quite go as planned.
The Buffalo Bill Days Orphan Car Show will be July 29 in Golden. The show starts at
10 a.m., but arrive by 9 a.m. to park your car. For those that are going to South
Bend, have a good trip and enjoy the festivities.
Roger
Message from Shirley Zaner
I want to Thank the Conestoga and Pikes Peak Chapters for the beautiful flower
bouquets they sent me while I was in the hospital. The Conestoga flowers were a
very beautiful bouquet of mixed flowers with pink roses. The Pikes Peak was a big
happy face cup full of daisies and yellow roses with a large happy face balloon.
Thanks also for the many cards and prayers. I have read the card several times
and the many prayers that got me through my extended stay in the hospital. I am
so happy to finally be home and I am doing great.
Shirley
Western Outlook
July 2012 Page 4
Pikes Peak Chapter SDC
July 2012 Chapter News
The June 16 potluck picnic and meeting was held at Nancy Lewis Park in Colorado
Springs. Members enjoyed a very nice lunch and beautiful park. We want to thank Bonnie
Rice for making reservations for the picnic shelter. Bonnie is recovering from her hip joint
replacement. Keep up the good work Bonnie.
In last month’s report, we forgot to mention that Don Jones, President of AOAI, and members of the Antique Studebaker Club, Kent Haberle and Malcolm Stinson, had visited Colorado Springs to view the facilities for the 2013 SDC International Meet. The Pre-meet
Booklet for 2013 is at the printer, and will be available soon. The 2013 Meet shirts, caps,
and license plates are now available.
The next meeting for the Pikes Peak Chapter will be July 21 at the Dragon Man’s Military
Museum. We plan to meet at the Dagon Man’s at 10 a.m. To get to the Dragon Man’s Military Museum from I 25, take US 24 East to Colorado Highway 94. You will travel 17 miles
on Colorado Highway 94 to N. Curtis Road where you will turn left or North. Traveling
North on N. Curtis Road about one mile to Dragon Drive where you will turn left or West.
Dragon Man’s Military Museum is at the end of the road. The cost of the tour is $10 per
individual. After the tour, we will travel to the Airplane Restaurant which is located at 1665
N. Newport Road (one block east of Powers on Fountain Blvd). You cannot miss the restaurant with the airplane attached.
Members voted on some changes for August and September meetings. The August 18
meeting is being planned to tour Westpac Restoration and World War II Aircraft Museum
at the Colorado Springs airport. More information in next month's newsletter. The September meeting has been move from September 22 to September 8 which is "Drive Your Studebaker Day.” Also, read the August newsletter for more information.
The Chapter would like to offer “Get Well” wishes to Shirley Zaner and Bonnie Rice. We
missed you at the chapter meeting.
Reminder to Pikes Peak chapter
members to PLEASE pay your dues
to Norm Gieseker
Western Outlook
July 2012 Page 5
Western Wheels chapter met at Five Rocks in Gering on Friday and Saturday, June 15
and 16. The High Plains Car Club was holding a Father’s Day weekend car show. There
were 8 Western Wheels members showing their Studebakers. They included Stuart Tritt
with his ‘50 Champion business coupe; Perry, Jackie and Corina Meyers showing their
'42 Stude wrecker; Harry, Bonita, and Charlene Case with their '50 Commander; and
Don and Betty Steinwart had both their '47 truck and their '54 Commander at the
show. Gene Sell with his '54 Commander Starlight; Mary Miller with her '60 convertible; and Dallas and Lucille Whiting showing their '58 Transtar. There were more than
200 total cars at this show. We heard numbers like 250 to 278 total cars. Very impressive numbers and many beautiful cars, trucks and motorcycles. Studebaker did very
well in the show. Stuart, Gene, Perry, and Don all won Best of Class plaques. Don's
truck won over his car. A couple members won cash prizes at the banquet Saturday
night. During the Show and Shine on Saturday, we held our monthly meeting. Most of
the meeting consisted of reviewing and progressing with plans for the Zone meet. Stuart and Perry are very encouraged by the numbers of pre-registrations that have come
in. We hope everyone will realize how much fun it will be to come to Gering and participate. It is going to be a great weekend. That is August 17, 18, and 19. If you need extra
registration forms, you may make copies or contact Stu or Perry. Our next meeting will
be at Bag's Bar and Restaurant in Potter, NE on July 14. There will be Duck Pin bowling
after dinner and the meeting. The meeting and dinner will start at 6:00 p.m. Gene Sell
and Loren Hoekema are co-host of the event. There will be many meetings prior to the
Zone meet during the month of August. The September meeting will be held in Custer,
S.D during the big show there. Hope to see you at the zone meet. Dallas
Western Outlook
July 2012 Page 6
CONESTOGA
Sunday July 14 Eaton, CO
Eaton Days Car Show 11 am til 2 pm
More Information at www.eatondays.org
Steve 970-381-0147
Sunday July 29 Golden, CO
Buffalo Bill Days Annual Orphan Car Show. 10:00 am til 3:00 pm
Washington Ave between 10th and 11th Street
Carl Nordin 303-237-4076
PIKES PEAK
JULY 21 Colorado Springs, CO
Dragon Man’s Military Museum tour followed by lunch at the Airplane Restaurant.
More information with directions in the Pikes Peak Chapter News.
WESTERN WHEELS
July 14 Potter, NE Meeting at Bag’s Bar & Restaurant in Potter, NE. Dinner and
Meeting at 6 pm followed by Duck Pin Bowling. Gene Sell and Loren Hokema
are co-host
Western Outlook
July 2012 Page 7
STUDEBAKER OF THE MONTH
Our Champion Starlight Coupe by Tiffany Koch
The story of our 1949 Champion has a sad beginning, but a happy ending. Our Studebaker was originally owned by Paul's Uncle Fred. Fred might be better known to longtime members of the Conestoga
Chapter as Charlie Rose. In the Fall of 1999, Fred was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's Disease. Tragically,
the disease took a hold quickly, and Fred passed away in January of 2000. Fred collected art, books,
model cars, and Studebakers. One of Fred's favorite Studebakers was his 1960 Golden Hawk. His last
acquisition was his '49 Champion Starlight Coupe. Fred's Champion was a work in progress when he
bought it. He started the renovation by rebuilding the engine. The paint job was also lacking, but was
partially primed with steel gray. The upholstery was in sad shape. The tires were dry, worn, and unusable. Paul and his brother, Mark Koch, inherited the Champion after Fred's passing. They trailered the
car to Pueblo from Denver, and shortly after began their renovation. Thanks to the rebuilt engine,
most of the repairs were cosmetic. The body was painted in a color very close to its original Willow
Green. They found fabric that matched the original upholstery. One of the toughest jobs was keeping
the wrap-around windows in tact when removing it for the headliner and paint. and getting the windows back in with new, tighter seals. In less than a year, their Studebaker was drivable and close to its
original condition. Fred would have been happy to see the car in such good shape. Paul drove the
Studebaker to its new home in Colorado Springs. Paul and I worked together for many years before
we started dating. In those years we were part of a "lunch bunch" that would go to Pizza Hut every
Wednesday. We all took turns driving. If the weather was nice and Paul was wearing his Studebaker
shirt, I knew he'd be driving the Champion. We all fought for a spot in Paul's car on those days. Riding
in the Champion was a fun change of pace and felt like taking a ride back to a simpler, more stylish
time. Seven years later, Paul and I started dating. A year after that, we got married, and you can
guess which car we used to leave the church! This car is very special to us, and is already a piece of
our history together. A sad beginning to this story, but a very happy ending.
Paul’s family thought it
would be fun to wrap
the 49’ Starlight in Saran
Wrap, while we were in
the church, to make it
harder for us to get in
to.
July 2012 Page 8
Western Outlook
CHAPTER OFFICERS
July Birthdays
Bob Bax
02
Mary White
15
Conestoga Chapter:
James Hamess
03
Keith Moomeier
18
President: Roger Zaner
303-426-8843
Merv Mundorf
04
Alan Lind
21
Vice Pres: Larry Ramsdell
303-757-5591
David Foerch
06
Wallace Clary
23
Secretary: Trish Price
303-933-8421
Betty Barnes
08
James Spitzer
23
Treasurer: Shelia Rink
303-986-6478
Dave Batchelor
08
Gertie Davis
24
Sunshine Fund: Kay Murray 303-452-3029
Norma Orloff
12
Pat Lincoln
26
CCCC: Shirley Zaner
303-426-8843
Dan Shake
13
Marsha White
30
Events: Larry Ramsdell
303-757-5591
Editor: Rick Hawkins
970-568-0141
E-mail: [email protected]
July Anniversaries
Website: www.frontrangestudebakers.com
Tom & Linda Donahue
01
Pikes Peak Chapter:
John & Barbara Padilla
09
President: Dave Batchelor
719-784-6140
Carey & Peggy Dietz
09
Vice Pres: James Harness
303-933-8421
Steven & Darlene Wylie
16
Secretary: Chuck Donkle
719-456-2707
Chuck & Karen Donkle
18
Treasurer: Norm Gieseker
719-596-0314
Butch & Julie Feil
22
Tour Master: Pete Tetley
719-630-1562
Rodger & Sue List
24
CCCC: Roger Zaner
303-426-8843
Duard & Barb Cannon
25
Western Wheels Chapter:
Welcome New Pikes Peak Members
Larry & Diane Caffey
President: Dallas Whiting
308-635-2767
Vice Pres: Bonita Case
308-632-5116
Secretary: Stuart Tritt
308-235-3386
Treasurer: Perry Meyers
308-783-5144
Tour Masters: Mary Miller
308-436-5359
Gene Sell
308-235-4865
THE WESTERN OUTLOOK
Conestoga Chapter S.D.C.
Rick Hawkins, Editor
7381 View Pointe Circle
Wellington, CO 80549
Studebakers Are First Class