Potomac Chapter Driver’s Club The Commander Volume 44 Issue 2 March-April 2012

President York Report, March 1– 3, 2012 Murray Welsh We invented Cool!! 24121 Ridge Raod In spite of declining vendor participation in recent years, York 2012 just seemed Germantown, MD 20876 301-253-3723 like a better meet than the last few years. Maybe decent weather had something to do [email protected] with it. Maybe the expanded activities and vendor product demonstrations were responsible. It seemed like the Friday crowd was large longer and there were a lot of shoppers on Saturday. Unlike Vice President previous years very few vendors left early. Maybe it was the drawing for $200 for vendors that stayed Ron Salen 14717 Lake Terrace until closing. Rockville, MD 20853 [email protected] Vendor product demonstrations included Jim Turner demonstrating installation of his disc brake con- 301-460-1970 version for most . The Veit ’63 Cruiser was the demonstration . Karl couldn’t be there, Treasurer but Bob Johnstone assisted with the very popular demonstration. Other demonstrations included in- Dave Farris stallation of an Avanti headliner by Myer’s Studebaker, plastic casting by the Shrock brothers, and 4313 Landgreen Street stainless trim restoration by Matthew Burdette (known for his Tailgating column in Turning Wheels). Rockville, MD 20853 301-460-4341 It was Matthew’s first visit to the York Meet. Ndfarris 1 @verizon.net A new activity this year was valve cover racing. This is sort of like the Cub Scout’s Pinewood Derby Secretary Stephen Walter where small racers run down an incline under gravity power. The difference is, the racers here are 7401 Westlake Terrace #1504 Studebaker engine valve covers with wheels. Bethesda, MD 20817 301-767-9416 [email protected] There were a number of interesting and trucks in the outside car corral and some really nice ones inside. Tickets for the 2012 Raffle Car, a black and white 1955 Speedster, had been sold out for a while. Activities Director The Keystone Chapter took advantage of the demand for tickets by early introduction of their 2013 Paul and Karen Johnson Raffle Car, a stunning red 1960 Hawk. This car last belonged to Potomac Chapter members Susan and 1122 Duncan Road Harpers Ferry, WV 25425 Dave Witmer. They sold the car at the Atlantic Zone Meet in Gettysburg last summer. The buyer was 304-876-3347 kept secret until Keystone introduced it on March 1. No Potomac Chapter member was lucky in the [email protected] raffle, however. The ’55 Speedster was won by a person in Wisconsin and the $2,000 cash prize went

Membership to a woman in Illinois. Nadine & Mike Farris 4313 Landgreen Street Potomac Chapter was well represented. It is impossible to name everyone from the chapter because of Rockville, MD 20853 the crowds and the danger of leaving out someone. However, there was a large turnout for the mem- 301-460-4341 Ndfarris [email protected] bership meeting Friday afternoon at the Comfort Inn and there were 32 people at the chapter dinner Friday evening at Ruby Tuesday. The planned dinner location, Logan’s Roadhouse, decided they Historian weren’t going to accept large groups on Friday, Saturday or Sunday evenings so your Activities Direc- Ed Lemanski 7875 Red Jacket Way tor, Paul Johnson, had to scramble at the last moment to find a new location. As it turned out, Ruby Jessup, MD 20794 Tuesday proved to be an excellent venue. 301-776-9893 [email protected] For the past two years the Potomac Chapter has rented the two spaces formerly belonging to Paul

Web Master Johnson. Members have been welcome to sell their wares in the spaces. This year sellers included Bob Bob Johnstone Johnstone, Larry Merhaut, Bob Devore, and George Hamlin. Bill Morgan and Bob Devore donated 12161 Holly Knoll Circle several items to sell. Paul Johnson also brought a box of NORS (New Old Replacement Stock) Stu- Great Falls, VA 22066 703-450-0754 debaker parts that were given out to anyone who needed them or could use them. He called them his [email protected] “Karma parts” because a friend had given them to him and he didn’t feel right about selling a gift. Karma paid off for Paul, but that’s a separate story. Editor

Lynda Welsh 24121 Ridge Raod Keep this chapter feature in mind for next year. It proved to be a good opportunity for our sellers to Germantown, MD 20876 clear out some unneeded items and gain back some space. 301-253-3723 [email protected] Look forward to York 2013. A man is the whole encyclopedia of facts. Ralph Waldo Emerson (continued on pg. 6) Volume 44, Issue 2 Birthday Wishes TECH TIP By Ed Lemanski March

Maintaining Your Studebaker Karen Barthlow 3/6 Kathy Hermann 3/7 Read up on everything you can find about your vehicle. A Jeff Bartlow 3/9 decade ago, you would have a hard time finding which Nancy Pfahler 3/12 parts would fit a 1959 Lark. But since we now have the ac- cess of the Internet, you can easily research which parts, Robert Winokur 3/16 accessories and options that your vintage Studebaker has Sidney Kertzel 3/22 or could have. Jan Rutledge 3/23

You can also look for restoration items in Turning Wheels, JoAnn Straatveit 3/23 Old Cars or Hemmings. There are several classic car blogs, Edwin Dashiell 3/25 tech exchanges, on-line forums, and sites that feature DIY repair and restoration work on Studebakers. Specific resto- Barb Sibert 3/31 ration techniques are indispensable, so take the time to learn from these first-hand from others who have already done so. Ask/post your questions, you will get an answer April from someone. Susan Eppig 4/1

Inspect your vehicle thoroughly. Parts which are heavily Linda Winokur 4/1 rusted need to be replaced, as well as worn-out, such as seat Pam Wallace 4/5 covers and carpet. Check everything under the hood. Look Kaye Kirby 4/7 for leaks, worn-out belts, and suspicious electrical connec- tions. Hal Hermann 4/8 Margaret Bjarnason 4/19 Another thing you should do for inspection is to make a list of everything that needs to be replaced, repaired, or simply Chester Bradfield 4/27 cleaned. By doing so, you will know what to buy and where Janice Butts 4/30 to buy them.

Shop for non-mechanical parts like rear-view mirrors or Welcome New Members seats at junkshops, or look for parts cars in online car auc- tions. For all the other parts, like the engine, brakes, carbu- retor, piston, and even an A/C system; you need to find Tom Morith unused stock parts. If you don’t have a local shop that does 2946 Torrey Place have what you need, resort to online shops. Online car parts Alexandria, VA 22302 shops offer a wide variety, and would probably have, or could find, what you are looking for. Kaiser Braham Enjoy those Studebakers 9320 Pella Place Clinton, MD 20735

The Commander is the bi-monthly publication of the Potomac Chapter, Studebaker Drivers Club. Subscription is by membership to the Potomac Chapter at $15.00 yearly. Canada/Mexico $20.00, all other countries $25.00. Direct all membership correspondence to the Membership Director. Direct all correspondence relating to The Commander to the Editor, who retains the right to edit or modify any contribution. Deadline date is the 17th of the month for the following month’s issue. The Potomac Chapter is an officially chartered chapter of the Studebaker Drivers Club, Inc.; its by-laws were approved, and charter granted by SDC in June 1967. Membership is recruited from the States of Maryland, West Virginia, Northern Virginia and Washington, DC. And those from other areas wishing to join the chapter are welcome.

2 Volume 44, Issue 2 Potomac Chapter, SDC Activities 2012

Event Date Contact

Apple Blossom Meet, Winchester, VA May 6 non-SDC

Orphan Car Tour, Harpers Ferry, WV June 2 Paul Johnson

Spring Picnic, Damascus Regional Park, MD June 3 Murray Welsh

Sully Plantation, Chantilly, VA June 17 non-SDC

Colonial Virginia Meet, Smithfield, VA June 30 Paul Johnson

C & O Canal Fun Day, Great Falls, MD July 8 Paul Johnson

Atlantic Zone Meet none scheduled due to South Bend International 2013 Meet will be held in New Jersey

48th SDC International Meet, South Bend, IN July 29-August 4 Paul Johnson

DasAwkschtFesch, Macungie, PA Aug 3-5 non-SDC

Rose Hill Manor car show, Frederick, MD Aug 19(?) non-SDC

*International Drive Your Studebaker Day Sept 8 Paul Johnson

Fall Picnic, Washington County Agricultural Center, Boonsboro, MD Sept 8 Paul Johnson

Fall Tour, Johnstown, PA Sept 21-23 Merhauts

Hershey Fall Meet, Hershey, PA Oct 10-13 AACA

Bradfield Show, Bridgewater, VA Oct 14 Paul Johnson

Antique and Classic Car Show, Rockville, MD (chapter is one sponsor) Oct 20 Murray Welsh Ron Salen Chapter Planning Meeting Nov 10 (tentative) Paul Johnson

Reedsville Swap Meet, Reedsville, PA November 16-17 (tentative)

**Chapter Holiday Party, The Inn at Charles Town, Charles Town, WV Dec 9 Paul Johnson

* Firm date- will always be the second Saturday in September **Changed from previous listidue to member conflicts that cut attendance in 2011

3 Volume 44, Issue 2 HISTORIAN CORNER by Ed Lemanski

Theodore W. Pietsch II Before Studebaker

Mr. Theodore Pietsch II was employed by and Associates, assisting in the designs for Studebaker

His Years with Studebaker- (1955-1958) From WikiPedia Studebaker Photo It was mid-1955, Studebaker had fully merged with Packard, There are a lot of web sites reporting on the new and Loewy and his team of designers were gone-both moves Studebaker Motor Corp. I found this photo as a described by Theodore W. Pietsch as “desperate clutching at straws by a dying company.” New titles were passed out and possible sedan design on the web. Pietsch was named “Manager Studebaker President Exterior Studio,” and a year later (1956), “Assistant Head Truck Exterior Studio,” in charge of two designers and a clay modeler, assign- ing and supervising their work in the absence of the studio June 2 (Saturday) -- 23rd annual Orphan head, and acting as a liaison between the styling and engineer- Car Tour, starting from Harpers Ferry, ing departments. But despite reorganization and new faces, Stu- WV. Open to all "orphan" (discontinued- debaker-Packard remained in deep trouble. In 1958, the situa- tion was so dire that Pietsch and a number of his fellow design- make) vehicles. Additional information will ers were laid off. follow later; for updates see website www.orphancartour.org . For further infor- Life After Studebaker mation contact Jon Battle, (540) 364-1770 or e- Now, for the first time in his career, Mr. Pietsch was unable to mail [email protected] . immediately step into another automotive design job. After This year we will have a Civil War theme. It several months looking for work in the South Bend area, he went to Chicago, where he was soon offered a position by the will start in Harpers Ferry, WV, and will industrial design firm of Dave Chapman, Inc. Commuting move north to Pennsylvania, following the weekly by train between South Bend and Chicago, he was re- route of an 1862 Union cavalry retreat, after sponsible for an account of a department of Montgomery Ward and Company, which included, among other things, the design entrapment by Confederate troops. of water heaters, water softeners, water pumps, furnaces, air- conditioners, incinerators, and ventilating fans. He also did con- siderable work on the design of boats, outboard motors, and radios.

Planning to attend the 48th International SDCe/AOAI Meet?

If you are attending the meet at South Bend this summer and would like to caravan there, please let me know. I am in the process of planning a route (avoiding toll roads and high speed roads as much as possi- ble). We have found that there is safety in numbers when traveling in old cars. If you have never been, the meets in South Bend are special and well worth the effort (and expense) to attend. If you are going and haven’t already done so, it is imperative to make hotel reservations as soon as possible. The Meet hotel has been full for a while, but there are a number of hotels in South Bend.

Paul Johnson 304-8763347 Potomac Chapter Activities Director thejohnsons@frontiernet. Net

4 Volume 44, Issue 2

Submitted by Bob Devore

Could the Lark fly again? It will if a Colorado man has his way. Ric Reed owns the Studebaker Motor company, a 21st Century iteration of the American automobile man- ufacturer that went out of business in 1967. The Denver-area entrepreneur bought out the rights to the company’s name from a former partner, Tom Raines, who acquired them in 2001. Now he’s looking for partners to help him put it back on the road. Reed’s goal is to build a lineup of modern, hybrid vehicles using the names of classic Studebaker models like Lark, President and Hawk. Reed tells FoxNews.com that he currently has about two dozen people working with him part time for $1 per year, with a couple of particularly eager beavers taking home $2. Several members of the Studebaker family are said to be on board. A former artillery officer in the Army who now runs the Arvada, Colorado-based Big Kahuna Trading Company apparel outfit, Reed claims to be in talks with several investors and a number of entities working on automotive technology that could be incorporated in his cars. One of them is Tom Kasmer, the inventor of a novel device called the Hydristor that was being developed for a new sports car planned by John DeLorean at the time of his death. Essentially a hydraulic transistor, Kasmer says it works like an extremely efficient continuously variable transimission that multiplies and modulates engine output going to the wheels. Reed wants to go hybrid because he thinks it will be a long time before electric cars are truly viable in the marketplace. A somewhat ironic position considering Studebaker’s first car was battery-powered. His company’s website has renderings of several design proposals, but Reed says new ones are in the works that better capture the essence of classic Studebakers. In the meantime, he is considering entering a joint venture with an unnamed company to build a conventional retro-modern take on a Studebaker pickup truck, like the Champ, in order to raise interest in the brand and generate capital to develop the more modern cars. He figures they could sell 3, 000 of them for around $70,000 a pop. Reed has been pursuing his dream for about a decade now and says he’s in it for the long haul, hoping to create jobs in America. Where they will be depends on what form the company ultimately takes, but he would like to set up shop in a right-to-work state, like Studebaker’s ancestral home, Indiana, just became. Perhaps one day the Lark will indeed return to its nest.

Read more: http://foxnews.com/leisure/2012/02/17/colorado-man-plots-return-studebaker/? intcmp=features#content#lmmLscWbC

5 (2012 YORK PA FAIRGROUNDS Volume 44, Issue 2

Larry Merhaut chatting with Bob Lemanski A long table at Ruby Tuesdays

The ‘55 raffle car, tickets were long since sold out

A Scotsman Truck-still had the decals Nice 2-door in front of “Old Main”

‘58 Silver Hawk –rear view (note the different trunk w/spare)

Jim Schoul’s ‘58 Packard Country Sedan

6 Volume 44, Issue 2 Minutes of Potomac Chapter SDC Membership Meeting March 2, 2012 Comfort Inn, York, PA.

President Murray Welsh called the meeting to order at 5:30 PM. Board members present were: Murray Welsh, President; Ron Salen, Vice President; Dave Farris, Treasurer; Steve Walter, Secretary; Nadine Farris, Membership; Paul Johnson, Activities Director; Bob Johnstone, Webmaster; and Ed Lemanski, Historian.

President’s Report: Murray opened the meeting by requesting reports from the various board members.

Vice President’s Report: Ron said that Dan Weber is getting out of the hospital Monday March 5th.

Secretary’s Report: No report.

Treasurer’s Report: Dave said we have $2,401 in the treasury. He also said the Keystone chapter is encouraging vendors to stay later, by distributing raffle tickets to those vendors still set up at 3:00 PM on Saturday.

Membership Report: Nadine was concerned about a person who wanted to join the local Potomac Chapter, but does not want to be a member of the International SDC. Everyone agreed his membership cannot be accepted because the Chapter By-laws will not allow it. Murray said he would write a letter explaining why he cannot be a member, but would welcome him to join in on any local chap- ter events posted in the newsletter that is accessible on the club website.

Historian: No report.

Web Master: Bob Johnstone said the newsletter is now in color on the website. Ed Lemanski commented that it was an excellent website.

Newsletter Report: Murray, speaking for Lynda, informed the group that the newsletter is now being emailed to Bob Johnstone in Adobe (.pdf) format. Anyone else who would like to receive a copy can send a request to Lynda. Hal Hermann commented that AACA asks on the renewal form if they want electronic or paper. This has saved AACA both printing and mailing costs. Murray said it costs about $1.00 a copy to print and mail a newsletter. He also said printing a color copy is too expensive at 25 cents per page.

Activities Report:

Paul said no spring tour as of yet, but he would propose a substitute in the next newsletter. He also asked for a show of interest to caravan to the South Bend International meet. He said they would try to stick to roads off of the interstate

Larry and Pat handed out flyers for the 2012 Fall Tour that they have organized. The tour will be Sep 21 through Sep 23 at John- stown, PA. Friday morning everyone will assemble in Hagerstown and caravan to Johnstown, PA with a lunch stop en-route. Friday night will include a ride up the incline plane to dinner at the City View Bar and Grill. Saturday will include a tour of the Johnstown Flood National Memorial and the Heritage Discovery Center. Sunday lunch will be at the Jean Bonnet Restaurant in Bedford, PA on the return trip.

Mark wants us to return for another car show at the Great Falls Tavern. July 7th was proposed as the date.

Special Reports:

Update was given on Dan Weber who was in a serious head-on collision. The major damage was to his left side. He is still undergo- ing rehabilitation to regain movement in his left arm and leg. Ron has already sent a card from the club and there was a motion to send a fruit basket from the club. The motion was approved.

Meeting adjourned at 6:00 PM.

Respectfully submitted – Stephen Walter, Secretary 7 Volume 44, Issue 2

THE FALL TOUR - SEPT 21 – 23, 2012 Steering Column JOHNSTOWN, PA by Murray Welsh

Gee. It’s hard to believe three months has gone by since the Holiday Party but it has. The weather is incredible and I hope it stays but I remember one April 17th when it snowed 17 inches so we are not out of the woods yet.

I enjoyed the York swap meet even though I It is not too early to think about plans for didn’t win the Speedster but, for those of you that don’t know, Dave Whitmer’s Hawk is the the Fall Tour. We are planning an excit- raffle car for next year. Dave confirmed he sold ingweekend, with a ride on the Incline it to them at Gettysburg. So everyone take a chance and maybe we can keep the Hawk in the Plane, dinner at the City View Restaurant chapter although that might be a little hard for and a tour of the National Flood Memorial Dave and Susan. at South Fork.

Carl Veit’s Cruiser was used as a display car for Hotel reservations can be made now until Turner’s disc brake conversion kits. Discs were August 20, 2012. The Sleep Inn, installed on Carl’s car by Turner himself at the show. Pretty simple process really. The idea Rate is just $85.00 nite/ with Continental has been around for about 40 years but the kits Breakfast included. seem to get better and more simple to install Call Larry Merhaut @304-267-7169 or every year. Email [email protected] for info As you can tell form the events list it looks like or to sign up for this great weekend. another great season of Studebaker traveling is in store. Let’s start ‘em up and get out there for a great year. 1958 Studebaker Scotsman

See pages 28 to 33 of the May 2012 Hemmings Classic 1936 STUDEBAKER GRILLE ON PLYMOUTH Car for an excellent article on a 1958 Studebaker HOT ROD Champion Scotsman 2-door sedan. Very well written, by Ed Lemanski it is about a rare and unusual car. Please see page 48 of the May 2012 Hot Rod Subject: Studebaker in Classic Car magazine (May is- magazine. sue) The ubiquitous Studebakercan still be found The latest issue of Classic Car has a feature article about prevalent in the hot rod arena. a 58 Scotsman. A Plain Jane at best but there are not The color photo on the top of the page is titled many left. "You don't see this every day." Submitted by Bob DeVore This is in the Retro Rebels section written by Jesse Kiser. This Plymouth has been built using a 1936 Studebaker Grille. It works very well in this application.

8 2012 Potomac Chapter SDC Membership Application or Renewal

Please complete this form and mail a check for $15.00, payable to POTOMAC CHAPTER SDC. Send the completed form and check to: Nadine & Mike Farris, 4313 Landgreen Street, Rockville, MD 20853- email [email protected] Phone: 301-460-4341

Yearly dues apply from Jan 1st to Dec 31st of each year

I am a member of SDC International National Membership #

I am joining SDC International at this time- Upon receipt of you national membership #, please send information to the address and email above.

This is a NEW Application Renewal/Update

Name: Phone:

Address: Spouse:

City/ST/ZIP:

E-Mail:

Birthday: Month Day Spouse: Month Day

I own the following Studebakers (including , , EMF, Avanti)

Year Make Model Body Style

YOU MUST BE A MEMBER OF NATIONAL SDC IN ORDER TO JOIN ANY SDC CHAPTER The Commander 24121 Ridge Road Germantown, MD 20876

We invented Cool!! FIRST CLASS MAIL

Hoppy Spring

The Spring Picnic on June 3 will be in the same location as last year, Damascus Recreational Park. Full info and directions will be in the next Commander.

March-April 2012