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Larry Northington Studebaker History

“I wish I still had my first car” has been said many times. Larry has his first car. A 1954 Studebaker Commander sedan. The car wasn’t the most glamorous for a high school student in the early 70’s. The car was 17 years old at the time, and Larry was 16. But there were many trips to the beach, drive-in movies, and great memories. Dee, Larry’s wife, and Larry were high school sweethearts at the time, so those great memories are hers also. After high school, Larry sold the Commander to his uncle, and then bought it back nine years later. The car was driven occasionally, but then went into long term storage. It was sitting in the garage for decades, just waiting for some TLC. Finally, a little over a year ago, Larry started the slow process of restoration. Larry rebuilt the brake cylinders, new brake lines, rebuilt the carburetor, cleaned out the gas tank, had a new core put in the radiator, a NOS thermostat housing, new radiator hoses, and replaced the ignition wires and spark plugs. John L Lewis helped/witnessed restarting the engine after 25 years of sitting.

Larry recently started the painting process, setting up a temporary paint booth in his garage. Definitely a learning process, starting with too dry, too wet with runs, paint gun sputtering because??? Larry thinks he’ll start to get decent at it by the time the car is painted.

The pictures below show the Commander before restoration really began, and after the paint was stripped off. Also the paint booth, and a door and lower front in process.

Future Plans: Still need to finish painting, new headliner, re-install glass and chrome, install new carpet, and have the upholstery redone. The hope is to have it road worthy by Drive your Studebaker day. (Too optimistic?) 

John Lewis’ 1950 Copper Mist Land Cruiser

John Lewis’ 1950 Blue Land Cruiser

I was living in Crescent, Iowa, in 1980, working in Omaha and needing a pick-up.  I found this truck advertised in OLD CARS WEEKLY newspaper for $450.  It was in Douds, Iowa over 200 miles away.  I called to ask about the condition.  The owner said, “It has not been used since last year, but it used to run good!”  I asked if he thought it would make it across the state?  He said, “Maybe.”  At least, he was honest.  I jumped on my motorcycle and headed for Douds.  However, I wasn’t expecting much.  When I got there, I was surprised to see it was a V-8.  All the tires needed air and the battery was dead.  We pulled it about 50 feet with a tractor, and it started.  The next day I put my motorcycle in the back and drove home with no problem.  There were a lot of rust holes to patch and with a quick paint job, it still looks OK from a few feet away.  The truck has been my primary vehicle for the last 39 years.  People have asked how many miles it has on it?  The odometer quit working several decades ago.  So who knows?  Over the years, I have had every part of the truck apart.  At present, it has a 289 engine, T98 4-speed transmission and 3.31 Twin Traction rear end.  My cruising speed is 60 mph.  It will easily go faster, but on a 300 mile trip, going 65 or more will cost an extra $20 for fuel.  The truck is surprisingly comfortable.  It has a form fitting seat from an Isuzu pick-up and a Chev. Vega steering gear.  It seems to run better all the time.  I enjoy driving it when the weather is good.

Lou Fencl

’89 Convertible Mike Borens

’85 Coupe Mike Borens

1950 Champion Starlight Marj Scooros

My first Studebaker – a 1950 Commander Bullet-nosed was purchased from a used car lot for $75.00. It was pale yellow.  I needed a car for my senior year in High School.  Many adventures later – cut class to go to the beach, many flat tires – I got really good at changing tires, “fill it with oil and check the gas” at the filling station, cut class to go to concerts in San Francisco, drove it for the day to Yosemite many weekends.  A few months after getting it, a short became a problem.  Every time I turned a corner or jammed on the brakes, the horn would honk.  My dad finally disconnected the horn because he couldn’t find the short.  Couldn’t take it to college so it got sold back to the same used car lot for $75.00.  I really loved that car.  Over the years, I’d seen a few bullet-noses but never had the money, space or follow-up to get another one until coming to Tucson and connecting with the Chapter.

Bob Miles paid $150 when he was 16 for a Studebaker coupe. His current cars are a 1957 Studebaker Golden Hawk and a 1941 Commander Skyway Land Cruiser.