July/Aug 2010

Newsletter of the Texas Hill Country Chapter
Studebaker Drivers Club, Inc.
The Hill Holder
July-August, 2010 Volume 12, Number 4
First Place: Phoenix SDS International Meet
Taking first in its
division and
scoring 393
points out of a
possible 400 at
the Phoenix SDS
International
Meet, Zola Hansen’s recently
restored 53
Champion is
shown after
coming back to
Austin from
Street Rod Concepts of Clute,
Texas. Shown
with the car, but
barely visible, is Stan Holcomb,
sponsible for the restoration.
Rik King (Street Rod Concepts)
Mike Gather also helped and
and Lane Johnson. These
advised throughout the pro-
three individuals are most re-
ject. (More on Page 5.)
Desenberg’s 1952 Truck also takes a first!
See page 2 for details.
2
Desenberg’s 52 Takes First in Division
David Desenberg’s pickup
took first in Modified Trucks
category. It has a Mustang
II/Dodge Dakota style custom front end and suspension, GM 383 stoker engine, Tremek TKO 5-speed,
4-wheel discs, Currie 9”
rear end and a custom interior. The flawless body is
painted in Cadillac’s red
metallic and champagne.
Jones Zone Director, SDC International
2
RIGHT: Ebon Jones’ 41
with trailer was a hit at the
recent International gathering. Jones was appointed South Central
Zone Director. He will run
for election in the fall to replace Hazel Holland who
resigned due to BB’s
health. (Story page 3.)
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South Central Zone Director
Ebon Jones Replacing Hazel Holland in Zone
(EDITOR’S NOTE: This report is from Ebon:) I represent the clubs, and member of the Studebaker Drivers Club in Texas and all the states that borders Texas. I was appointed when Hazel
Holland resigned due to BB’s health. I will be running for election in the fall. I sat on the board
meeting at Glendale, (one gathering of the board at International Meets) and voted for or against
motions presented to the board—like adding more color to Turning Wheels, giving money to the
museum and other things.
Your Turning Wheels will be sent in bags soon. Is one item we passed. I was for this in a big way,
helps saves damage by the Post Office, and can sale ads to slip in to the bags to off set the extra
cost of bagging, and could be a little money maker for the SDC. Being a new board member I
didn't vote to raise the dues, but it passed anyway. Anything that our members would like to see
the SDC do, email me at [email protected]
More from Ebon: Hi let me introduce myself to those that don't know me. My name is Ebon Jones and
live in Harlingen, Texas. I was appointed South Central Zone Director of the SDC when Hazel Holland resigned due
to B,B,'s health. I sat on the board in Glendale, and think the SDC is in good shape. I regret to report that the SDC
dues will go up, The dues have been the same since 1996, so most can see the writing on the wall. And how many
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times have the postage gone up since then.
The SDC has been working with interest made
with CD's but as most know there is less than a
point for short term notes. and not much more
on 3 year notes. So entries to the International
Meets have also gone up. One good thing that
the board done is to have Turning Wheels
mailed in plastic bags. This should help with
damage TW;s in your mail box. Oct. is new
member drive month. The SDC will have new
color fliers promoting the SDC. Questions?
156 FM 2093, Fredericksburg. TX 78624
streetdreamstexas.com
830830-997997-1950 Tony Cothren, owner
email me and I'll try my best to answer all my
SDC mail.
I'll be running for Zone Director when Hazels
term is up this fall. — Ebon Jones.
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President’s Message
By Russell Studebaker
Although the peach harvest leaves us little time to think about Studebakers, the
old cars somehow find themselves in the daily routine. With our Dodge 2000 diesel
in the shop, the Champ has been pulling farm duty, hauling plums and peaches to
the roadside stand. Josh, getting his first day off a month after coming home from
college, drove the Hawk to a friend’s for a night out. I had to remind him of the finesse needed to get the headlight toggle in just the right spot, and to give himself
plenty of room getting on the highway until she warmed up good (a problem due
mainly to old ethanol gasoline in the tank).
We’ve also had Studebaker drivers stop by the stand. Dennis Hill dropped by
and bought peaches. Ebon Jones stopped by on the way back from Arizona with
his 41 Commander, and also Central Texas member Ross Ball with his Champ
pickup.
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I’ve had little time to plan the September 25th Fredericksburg wine tour, but it
will encompass a late morning breakfast, then a drive to 3 to 4 local wineries. It is
one of the quieter weekends in Fredericksburg, but anyone interested in overnight
stay should make reservations early. Check out hotels and lodging at
www.fbgtx.org or www.hill-country-visitor.com.
— Russ
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Gift to Zola Hansen May Keep Giving...
When Zola Hansen was given a 1953 Studebaker Commander by her father
when she was 17 years old, she never thought it might become a family heirloom.
But it may.
Zola hated the 1949 Studebaker she took her driver’s test in. She had to hit the
door with her shoulder to get the door opened from inside. The 53 was more to her
liking, and when her father got a new car
he passed the 53 to her. She used it in
high school and college. She and her
now husband, Carl, dated in the car
when Carl’s car was on the fritz. After
they married in 1963, it was their second
car but eventually it needed work. They
gave it a “semi-restoration” and used the
53 as a fun car until the early 80s when their son, Eric, began using it some.
5
In-between, the car went into storage at
Zola’s dad’s farm in Colorado when the
Hansen’s moved to California. It stayed there until the 70s. Carl, Zola and their two
children flew to Colorado and drove the car to Austin where they had made their
home a few years earlier. Despite the car’s age and condition, they made the drive
back even though they encountered a violent rainstorm.
About five years ago, Stan Holcomb encouraged the Hansen’s to restore the car
and agreed to oversee the restoration. It was moved to Stan’s home and the disassembly began. Mike Gaither assisted Stan as an advisor.
Finished in May in its original exterior color, the 53 was taken by trailer to the
Phoenix SDS International Meet and placed first
(Continued next page)
6
(Continued from previous page)
In its division. It missed getting a perfect score by only seven points, according to
Holcomb. And, according to Holcomb, he can fix those deficits for the next showing.
At one point in the restoration process, Zola said it was a tough decision on
whether or not to proceed. The car was in worse shape than first anticipated. But
the decision was made to go ahead and it was finished at Street Rod Concepts in
Clute, Texas, just in the nick of time to make the Phoenix meet.
What does the future hold for the 53? Well, Zola thinks Carl may retire one of
these days and then he will have time to tinker with it, drive and show it.
Their son Eric, now 42, has a strong interest in the car. And Kristen, their daughter has fond memories of the 53 but is not much interested in it for herself. But, she
has four sons, two of whom have strong interest in cars and this one in particular.
It sounds like an family heirloom just might be in the making.
MDS Engine Service
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Satisfied HCSDC
Customers:
Russell and Joe
Studebaker, Dick
Fitch
“I buy unwanted
Studebakers.”
15156 S. IHIH-35
Bruceville, TX
The Hill Holder newsletter is
published bi-monthly by the Texas
Hill Country Chapter, SDC. Our
goal is to inform members and
friends of the chapter’s activities
and offer news items about
Studebakers and their owners.
Contributions are welcome from all
club members. We reserve the right
to select and edit articles. Send
articles and photos to Dick Fitch,
HCSDC editor, 176 Aqua Vista
Drive, Kerrville, TX 78028 or email
to [email protected].
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CURRENT PAID MEMBERSHIP
OVERTON
SCOTT & MARY
STUDEBAKER
JOE
STUDEBAKER
RUSSELL
ALLENKAMP
ERNO & JOSH
ROBERTS
BALL/LOFTIN
ROBERT & ANNE
SCHULLE
BERRY
KEN & GAIL
SCHWAB
BRIDGES
EMERY & SHIRLEY
COLVIN
GRADY & SHERYLYN
CUMMINGHAM
STAN & DEBRA
DESENBERG
DAVID & LORI
DISHMAN
MICHAEL
DOLLAR
DONALD & POLLY
DYNIS
NICK & SALLY
FARRER
DONALD & COLENE
FARRISH
TOM
FITCH
DICK & DIANE
FREITAG
CURTIS & EDITH
GAITHER
MICHAEL R. & LESLIE
GUESS
DANNY & RO
HACKNEY
BARRY
HANSEN
CARL & ZOLA
HARRISON
CHARLES & VIRGINIA
HILL
DENNIS
HOLCOMB
STAN
HOLLAND
B. B. & HAZEL
HOPKINS
DOYLE & LOUISE
ISENSEE
SCOTT & DAWN
JONES
EBON & ALICE
email: [email protected]
KIDD
BYRON & DORIS—
DORIS—Life
website: www.hillcountrystudebakerclub.org
McFARLAND
JIM
MELCHER
BRUCE & CAROLINE
BOB & TANIA
PAUL & CLAIR
WALLACE
DON
GREGORY &
HCSDC Officers
Russell Studebaker, President
[email protected] 830830-456456-3774
Don Dollar, Vice President
[email protected] 325325-625625-2947
Jim McFarland, Treasurer
[email protected] 512512-923923-3848
11022 Whiskey River Dr., Austin, TX 78748
Bob Roberts,
Don Dollar, Tour Masters
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[email protected] 512512-402402-1751
Dick Fitch, Secretary, Newsletter Editor
[email protected] 830830-370370-3776
Webmaster, Dick Fitch; Adviser: John Bailey
Honorary Tour Master, Byron Kidd
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Welcome New Members Nick and Sally Dynis
ADDRESS: PO
Box 938, 1126 E. Hwy 90, Flatonia TX 78941
PHONE NUMBERS:
NUMBERS
361 816 0375 cell; 361 865 3700 home
EMAIL ADDRESS: [email protected]
CARS: 1963
Wagonaire; 1962 GT Hawk
Nick’s birthday 11/2; Sally’s birthday 7/5
Personalized Signs Available
To HCSDC Members
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Through a special arrangement with Kerr Screen Graphics of Kerrville, who made
the sign shown above, members can order the same 4-foot sign with their car’s photo
for $51.14 (tax included). Call Gina (830-257-2293), tell her you want the special
Studebaker Car Club price of $51.14 and email your photo ([email protected]). To
save you shipping, Dick Fitch will deliver orders to club events. If you just can’t wait,
you can have them shipped.
For every order Kerr Screen Graphics receive, they will make a donation to us to
assist with website expenses. In exchange they will receive an ad on the website.