Home News What Were You Doing Before The Corona Virus Hit?

What Were You Doing Before The Corona Virus Hit?

3029

Funny you should ask that question. Me, I am just sitting here in my command chair (as my daughter and lady friend call it), watching the depressing, minute by minute updates on CNN about the Corona Virus situation out of the corner of my eye– sound turned off –while trying to write about something familiar, exciting and reminiscent of better times, say, last week.   Will we ever get back to life as we knew it? I really don’t think so.  There will be a new normal and God only knows what that will be.

I’ve been getting beat up by old car readers for a good while now—”Why haven’t you been writing your column?  We need to hear about some local old cars now, more than ever.  Please get us back to normal, whatever that was!”  Thank you!  Yes, I’ve heard you.  I apologize.  Since the operation on my spine 2 ½ years ago my life has gone topsy turvy. I had to completely reorganize.  I can’t walk very well anymore.  I must rely a good bit on an electric cart—which doesn’t fit in my Model “A”(or my image of myself).  That has limited me pretty much to a very few car shows.  True, I have been playing a good deal more banjo and guitar, which is a saving grace, don’t get me wrong.  But I truly miss my antique car shows and the people that own them.

I’ve been trying to cope with the old car situation.  A little over a year ago I purchased a 1951 Studebaker with a big trunk that my electric cart would fit in. It looked to be in very nice shape both inwardly and out. I bought it from a well-known Studebaker club member, a club that I have been involved in for probably 20 years, who reassured me that it was in tip top shape and I wouldn’t have to do very much to it yada, yada, yada!  Of course, you know what comes next!  Such a conundrum of hidden problems immediately appeared that it took one whole year and several thousand dollars to iron out. I was barely able to drive it home.  It seems that “someone” did not realize that most 1950s cars had left threaded lug nuts on one side, and right-hand threaded lug nuts on the other. They’re not interchangeable.  “Someone” evidently changed all the tires, threw the lug nuts in a pile, and then rammed them indiscriminately back onto the lugs with a high-powered air ratchet. Consequently all 20 lug bolts were hopelessly ruined.  Two of the brake drums ultimately had to be cut off and replaced and a bunged up rear axle laboriously extracted and replaced.  Of course, the brake system had to be totally rebuilt also. Did I mention that the transmission would not shift out of second because “someone” took apart the speedometer portion of the transmission, got frustrated and threw the parts indiscriminately back into the transmission thus fouling up the whole shifting mechanism?

    So, one year later after fixing all that mess and converting it to 12 volts, adding a good radio and new heating system I have a pretty nice running and looking 1951 Studebaker Landcruiser. Of course, the car has been tied up in several shops because I can no longer perform much of my own work, cannot get down on the ground, cannot move very well. Do I have some hard feelings?  I’d be lying if I said I didn’t. I got burned rather badly.  Some nice soul could have warned me.  We live and learn don’t we! There are some very fine people in that club though…………

Where does the Corona Virus enter the picture?  Well, there is more to the picture. The VIRUS doesn’t enter yet.  Here I am at 73 years of age, pretty much having thrust into my face that which I can, and cannot do anymore, and how much time I likely have left on this earth.  I belong to the National Studebaker Drivers Club and get their fine monthly magazine Turning Wheels. I enjoy the Studebaker Drivers Club and have had good dealings over the years with many people from this national club, often calling on their members to help me out with parts and services. The February Turning Wheels ads listed an absolutely beautiful 1955 Studebaker President Lowey Coupe.  I covet those 53-54-55 top of the line Lowey coupes. Finding one of these in really fine shape is rare.  I didn’t think I would ever find or be able to afford one.  These Lowey Coupes are internationally recognized as one of the most beautifully designed cars ever produced. Of course, they’re still just Studebakers and not Cords, Auburns, or Dusenbergs with their huge price tags and Classic designations. Studebakers are for us common people, us real, knuckle buster, self-made back yard mechanics.  A corresponding Cord in number one condition will set you back maybe $300,000.  A Dusenberg maybe two million.  A Studebaker President or speedster in #1 condition sells for maybe $20K. to us real people.  What is unreal is the televised, big named auto auctions that purport to sell cars for literally millions thus driving up prices. This is not our real world.  It is Hollywood schtick!! 

     So, the ad read, “55 Studebaker President Coupe, mostly stock, in very fine condition. Health problems force sale. It was, as pictured, red and white.  The asking price was at the top of the range– $19K OBO (or best offer) and it was in Florida. I quickly turned the page.  “Don’t think about it”, I said to myself.   “Look what you just went through, you dumb idiot. Don’t you ever learn?”  The magazine sat on my coffee table for a week.  Several times  I snuck a peek at it.  Finally, I succumbed and  slipped them an e-mail to the effect, “Just out of curiosity where are you located in Florida, and what is really the story with this car.”  I also was still reeling from getting burned with the 51 Studebaker but am also aware of my bucket list and my age and disabilities. I can still drive my cars to shows and events. 

     Well, to make a long story short, the planets lined up for me.  I contacted an AACA (Antique Auto Club of America) friend who set me up with an AACA evaluator in northern Florida who went over the car with a fine-tooth comb. It wasn’t a perfect # 1 car but reasonably close. The story checked out. The car ran beautifully. The man who was selling it was sincere and credible.  I bought it and had it shipped up here to me.

Enter the Corona Virus stage left! Will I ever get to drive my coveted car? Will things ever get back to normal? Is this the end of my story, my bucket list? 

Stay tuned, I will keep you updated.  I am also endeavoring to do more stories about you and your old cars. Please bear with me and my clumsiness.

Skip Schweitzer

Advertisements
Anton Albert Photography