Studebaker lives!

[Doug Kerr]

Just around the corner, on US 180 (it was once US 80, the main east-west route at this latitude), we have a truly remarkable and historic establishment, Studebaker Farm.

Owned by John and Donna Brooks, it is recognized as a unique resource for Studebaker aficionados, offering parts, manuals, and yes - restorable Studebaker cars and trucks.

Here's a view of the forecourt from the edge of the highway:

Douglas A. Kerr: Studebaker Farm, Weatherford, Texas​

We see (just behind the sign post) a Studebaker Lark (I'm not sure what model year, but is has 1968 Texas license plates). Mixed in with the Studebakers are a Buick, a Ford, and an International Harvester school bus.

The property is in fact for sale - I think John may currently operate his business from another location.

John stopped by while I was shooting, and emphasized that he hoped I would not post on the Internet any pictures that had been altered to make his place or the vehicles look to be in misleadingly bad condition. I assured him I wouldn't.

John has an interesting Web site at:

http://studebakerfarm.com

Just a half mile or so west of Studebaker Farm is this extraordinary Studebaker:

Douglas A. Kerr: 1950 Studebaker Commander​

It's a 1950 Commander, likely of the Land Cruiser variant, and extraordinarily long. It may well have been custom modified - it is longer than the regular Commander Land Cruiser Limousine.

Studebaker never did well with naming models. From 1928 through 1937, their entry-level model was called the Dictator (except in Europe and South America, where, after the first little while, it was marketed as the Director).

Best regards,

Doug

 

[fahim mohammed]

Hello Doug,

The mention of this name and the accompanying pictures evoke fond memories of my childhood.
Early 60s or late 50s there were very few cars around here. I remember the name distinctively..
' Studebaker ', of course pronounced ( and sounding ) different.

That particular car was well known. We would stand around it, peering in, looking at it side to side. Amazement. Of course, my parents could never afford any car, let alone a Studebaker.

Later on, I remember another car..' Desoto ' and then ' Imperial'. Yes sir..long time ago.

Thanks for bringing back my childhood to me visually.

Regards.

 

[Tom Robbins]

Hi Doug, thanks for sharing these. My first car was a (very) used '62 Studebaker Lark(?). It was a great car until I blew a hole in the exhaust manifold while pulling a stunt with my pals from high school.

The sign at the "farm" might make a great subject by itself. I can't imagine there could many of them still around. It appears to be about 15 feet or so above the ground. It may not be possible to isolate it from the background trees, but a telephoto lens with the aperture set toward the wide open end might work. Just an idea...

 

[Doug Kerr]

Hi, Tom,

Hi Doug, thanks for sharing these. My first car was a (very) used '62 Studebaker Lark(?). It was a great car until I blew a hole in the exhaust manifold while pulling a stunt with my pals from high school.

"Threw a bang", did ya? I took the muffler out of a '46 Pontiac that way!

The sign at the "farm" might make a great subject by itself. I can't imagine there could many of them still around. It appears to be about 15 feet or so above the ground. It may not be possible to isolate it from the background trees, but a telephoto lens with the aperture set toward the wide open end might work. Just an idea...

Yes, that might make a good subject.

But I'm reticent to do any more shooting there. The proprietor is really paranoid about photographs (not that he really gets to control shooting from a public street, of course), and I'm not so highly motivated that I want to irritate him.

Best regards,

Doug

 

[Bart_van_der_Wolf]

John stopped by while I was shooting, and emphasized that he hoped I would not post on the Internet any pictures that had been altered to make his place or the vehicles look to be in misleadingly bad condition. I assured him I wouldn't.

Hi Doug,

They don't look particularly bad, they just need a paint-job!

That's a fun address for car restorers and photographers alike. Thanks for sharing.

Cheers,
Bart

 

[Tom Robbins]

Hi Doug,

"Threw a bang", did ya? I took the muffler out of a '46 Pontiac that way!

Haw! Yep, figured you would know that one, man. Tried to get the attention of some girls on the sidewalk and succeeded. They were impressed, but not in the way I intended at all.