OLD WORLD VILLAGE, HUNTINGTON BEACH
Despite the growth of car shows with thousands of cars, there still exist car clubs that put on shows with a few dozen cars. The event put on by the Beach Cities chapter of the Studebaker Drivers Club is one such show – a show where everybody knows everybody – a show where everyone visits with old friends and has a good time.
This 1923 Studebaker owned by Jack Stockey was the oldest vehicle at the event. While a dead battery kept it on the trailer, that didn’t keep it’s many admirers from taking a look.
This is an annual event sponsored by the Beach Cities Inland Empire Chapter of the Studebaker Drivers Club and is held in Old World Village in Huntington Beach. Old World Village is a reproduction of a Bavarian village complete with cobblestone streets and quaint little shops and restaurants. An idyllic place for a car show. Unfortunately, this year the show landed on one of the few days that Huntington Beach sees rain. Attendance which is typically about 40 cars was reduced by the rain. In spite of the weather some hearty Studebaker drivers brought out their cars and we were fortunate to see some very nice Studebakers and meet some very nice people.
- A down the row look at some beautiful Studebakers
The club conducted a raffle giving away several great raffle prizes, and had a 50/50 raffle with the lucky winner taking home $33. Trophies were given to 10 cars:
President’s Choice went to John Sanford’s 1963 Hawk
- John Sanford’s ’63 Hawk took home the President’s trophy
Vice president’s Choice went to Tom Biss with a 1963 Lark
Meet chairman’s choice was Mike Barber and his 1952 Champion
Old World Village choice went to Richard and Sarah Cheek and their 1962 Hawk
Best Exterior trophy went home with Bob Valeski and his Yellow pickup
- The winner of Best Exterior
Best Interior was awarded to Don Eades and his 1955 President 4-door sedan
Last Chance went to Doug Hughes and his 1963 Lark
Oldest Studebaker was given to Jack Stockey and his 1923 Studebaker
Most Potential was taken home by Jeri Cox and her 1964 Cruiser
The People’s choice went to Jeanne Ertel and her 1955 Commander.
- Jeanne Ertel and her ’55 Commander was the People’s Choice
In addition to the Beach Cities chapter of the Studebaker Drivers Club there are two other local chapters. The Los Angeles Chapter which holds its annual car show at the Peterson Automotive Museum in Los Angeles. The upcoming Los Angeles Winter event will be held on March 13, 2012. The Orange Empire chapter holds its annual event at La Palma Park in Anaheim. These Studebaker events will be on our calendar next year.
- The Old World Village trophy went to Richard and Sarah Cheek for this beautiful 1962 Hawk
Studebaker Brothers Manufacturing Company was founded in 1852 and the last Studebaker rolled off the assembly line in March 1966. But during those 110+ years Studebaker produced everything from covered wagons to the Avanti. In the 1950’s and 1960’s Studebaker was a popular car on the drag strip: the 1955 Champion 2 door Coupe with its sleek design was a favorite with drag racers; Ted Harbit’s 1951 Commander Starlight Coupe “Chicken Hawk” was a legend until a 2009 crash ended its run; and, the 1941 Sedan driven by Jr. Thompson helped start the gasser wars. Today 1950’s Studebakers are still seen tearing up the track in the nostalgia drags A and B gasser classes.
Below are some photos of some of the other great Studebakers that turned out for the event.
Trivia: Raymond Loewy whose beautiful design became the Avanti also designed the striking paint scheme used on Air Force One.
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