Studebakers return to Custer Sept. 6

Studebaker cars and trucks manufactured in five different decades will be on display at the upcoming free show at 6th Street and Mount Rushmore Road Sunday, Sept. 6.  The event is sponsored by the Dakotas Chapter of the Studebaker Drivers Club. It will include vehicles from owners who are residents of 12 states. Also present will be Clayton Studebaker, who is a direct descendant of the family who first started making wheelbarrows, then wagons, and then automobiles in the early 1910s.  
Included in this show will be a variety of cars and trucks manufactured in five decades from the 1920s through 1966. This assortment of vehicles will also include three Packard cars because those two top companies eventually combined. Visitors to the show will be invited to vote for their favorite car or truck.  The vehicles receiving the top three number of votes will receive trophies that evening at a banquet. Other awards will also be presented.  
This year there will be four cars manufactured in the 1920s, which marks them close to being 100 years old. There will be three different models which were manufactured during a boom decade for the Studebaker Company.  
Several new designs were being introduced in this era. These have model names of “ER Roadster,” “Dictator” and “Phaeton.”  The current owners will be arriving with them from Montana, South Dakota,  Minnesota and Missouri.  They are considered highly collectible and valued by clubs. Although produced in the same decade, each Studebaker has different features and a unique history of ownership.  
 The oldest of these is a 1925  “ER Roadster” owned by Mickie and Jay Garrison. They bought it at an estate sale, and Jay completed the restoration on it with a new paint job and engine. It was a distinct design for that year with a six cylinder engine, replacing previous models with only four, and was in production until 1926. It had roll down side curtains.   Original price was $1,235, which was considered mid-cost. The advertising from Studebaker stressed its durability and ease of maintenance.   
Another car at the show from this decade will be a 1926 “ER Big Six Duplex Phaeton,” now owned by Rob and Janet Young. This model had the reputation for power, reliability and ability to withstand hard use. In that year all the counties in Arizona bought Phaetons for their sheriff’s duties. This car was purchased from the Dineen Motor Company for the use of law enforcement in Beadle County. Not much has been altered on it with only an engine overhaul and replacement of new side curtains. Otherwise, it is in original condition and will be shown with the same tires which were on it when Rob bought it 1977.  
Two additional models manufactured in the 1920s will also be shown. In the latter pat of this decade,  the Studebaker Company converted to naming their models using engine-type “titles” which resulted in more dramatic distinctions when people referred to them. Before this, the company was still making cars which had to accommodate the poor roads in the early 20th century. It was believed those cars required more torque and strong construction compared to driving on paved roads which followed in the 1930s.  So after this,  the corporation utilized different engines and construction techniques. 
Two members will bring their 1928  “Dictator” models which will be different from each other but are interesting because they were designed as models using a name new to Studebaker. For one, the Corporation selected the word “Dictator.” It felt this model would be so distinctive that it would make this company the leading producer of luxury cars. Then this model would  “dictate”  which features would be included in automobiles in the future.  It would raise the standards which other companies would need to follow suite. This involved an original engine size of 242 cubic inch but would still offered in affordable price ranges. 
Curt Hussey will show his 1928 ”Dictator” Model, which he has recently fully restored. He discovered it in very poor condition in Sioux Falls and spent three years locating needed parts or making them himself, and totally restoring it.  This work included replacing engine parts, some of which were completely broken, and the windows, and steering wheel.  He repaired the frame and restored all those needed parts. The exterior had two poor paint jobs which had to be scraped off before he could repaint it. 
Marlin Lohansen has also chosen to bring his customized 1927  “Dictator” which already had a changed appearance when he bought it. The previous owner had altered it to become a two door by welding the back two doors shut and lowering the top by three inches. Marlin modified the engine to a SBC blown 350 turbo and converted it to an automatic. He updated the brake system, dash board, steering wheel and added AC.  The interior still has older-type pleated upholstery. 
The show is on from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Owners will arriving Friday evening and will cruise Southern Hills Saturday.