The Annual RACQ Motorfest was held on Sunday 11th July, 2010 at Eagle Farm Racecourse.

The Studebakers ready for inspection by thousands of onlookers at the RACQ Motorfest.

Club Members met at Hamilton Bowls Club at 7.00am for a departure at 7.15am. The Studebakers started to drive off in convey to arrive at Eagle Farm by 7.30am but there seemed to be a problem with a 1965 cruiser owned by Club Members Gail & Jim. Lucky for them there was help on hand with Club President, Dick Adsett & George Udovicich.

The key had broken off in the ignition, the battery was flat and to make matters more interesting the bonnet latch was frozen! This did not deter the willing mechanical minded car fanatics from lending a hand to fix the problems. After a short while Gail & Jim’s Studebaker was on the road again and everyone arrived at the racecourse to be part of another great Studebaker display in between the Club’s striking new flags.

All hands were on deck to raise the tent and have everything organised before the crowds started to arrive. The Club had a representation of 8 classic Studebakers on show, being part of the Motorfest gives the Club a positive image for anyone interested in Studebakers and joining the club. Dick Adsett was the lucky winner of the entry prize draw which was a basket full of goodies.

One of the best attractions for the day was a million dollar G1 Roadster which is the oldest Alfa Romeo in existence. RACQ stated that more than 12,000 people attended the Motorfest and money raised went to the RACQ Helicopter Rescue. Close to 800 cars and motorcycles were scattered around the racecourse with plenty of variety of vehicles.

The day was filled with live music, roving entertainers especially Marilyn Monroe & Elvis who made a special appearance at our Studebaker tent to sign autographs and have photos taken. Lots of food and great wine was available for the adults, while rides for the children kept them entertained. After some wine tasting by 2 Club Members, it was suggested that on our next Club run for the Maryborough weekend, we should visit one of the wineries near Gympie for some samples. We await further comment……

More photos of the Motorfest are available in the Photo Gallery.

Studebaker Display – Cars ready for Wintersun 2010

Wintersun festival was held again this year from June 4th to 14th at Coolangatta-Tweed Heads.

This years complement of Studebakers exceeded our expectations as last year the club only managed to have 5 Studebakers on display.

The Club’s Social Secretary, Dave Lucas arrived at the park on Friday to mark out a suitable spot to display the Studebakers. He negotiated with the Wintersun officials to secure an area for the SCCQ exhibit. On Saturday morning the early guard started arriving from 4.30am with the main contingent of Studebaker vehicles arriving after 6.30am. The prime lot that was staked out for the display was eagerly eyed off by other car owners as they drove by looking for a position.

The EH Holden Club weren’t so lucky as a large caravan and a truck parked in the middle of the display area they had reserved for their members cars. Dave organised to have the Club’s 4 new blue Studebaker flags flying high on the edge of the display area and a marquee for members and their guests to sit and relax under.

The new 4.9 metre flags made the Studebaker display visible from far away, easy to find and they attracted attention to the site. The Studebaker flags are certainly a great asset for the club and to use at future events. A big thankyou goes to Dave Lucas.

There were 12 cars altogether, 4 cars were from NSW and 1 Studebaker trailer in the display. It is always great to see our compatriots from NSW supporting our club display.

One Studebaker enthusiast had to have her photo taken in a Studebaker convertible, so she did and thoroughly enjoyed it.

The presence of the 1963 Excalibur Sports Studebaker based on the 1929 SSK Mercedes Benz was a real drawcard to the display. The Excalibur was registered just in time for Wintersun. To our knowledge only 5 Excalibur Sports Studebakers were manufactured in America.

An unusual car appeared this year in the street display also drew a huge interest. “The Studefaker” a cross between a 1979 Chevy Elcamino ute with a 1950 Studebaker bullet nose front.

The night parade had Studebakers represented as they drove along Marine Parade with many loud cheers coming from club members who were watching from their balconies.

Another great “Wintersun” weekend has come and gone with everyone having an enjoyable time talking, viewing and photographing cars and more cars. The Club members are all keen to meet again next year, same time, same place even though the festival will have a new name. Nothing else will change, the fun will still go on for many years to come. More photos are available for viewing in the Photo Gallery.

Long term members Clive and Anne Summers have owned the 1955 President in which they have attended many club runs functions and Concourses. The history of this vehicle is outlined here.

1955 Studebaker President

The History of the 1955 Studebaker President in the Queensland Club

This history is based on knowledge and information that I have received, plus my experience owning the vehicle.

It came off the assembly line on the 16th November 1954 with a destination of Kansas City, Missouri.

It is a 259 V/8 Automatic with power brakes. I was informed its original owner used it for approximately 8 years, when it was bequeathed to his grandson who had it stored for many years.

By the end of the 1980’s, Des Skinner purchased it for delivery to Brisbane. When it arrived, Des sold it to John Coles who owned it for around 5 years. During which time he had the front end and brakes overhauled by Herb Rose. The exhaust system was also renewed, and the seats restored using material to match the original.

In January 1996, I purchased the car from John. It did need some additional jobs carried out. I arranged with Mike Cosgrove to do an assortment of mechanical work and a tune up. A new radiator core was also supplied and fitted.

The whole of the interior of the trunk needed a thorough preparation and painting.
The floor covering to the interior and the trunk floor were original and in need of replacing with new. Des Skinner was able to purchase the exact same material type, that way, keeping it looking original.
I took it to an auto trimmer to have new wind lace fitted to replace the worn original.

New quarter window rubbers were supplied and fitted by Des. The vehicle had new tyres fitted a few years ago.

During the time I have owned it, it has won many trophies at various Concourses.

It is running well and looking great.

Clive P. Summers.

January, 2010

A suprise was in store for the club members who attended the End Of The Year Club Run ’08. We arrived at the home of club members Dave and Lyn Lucas to find Dave had invited some very special guests. Kevin and Rana Bartlett, Kevin has many great achievements in the history of Australian Motor Racing. Bob Morgan, the Australian Speed Car Legend and Dennis and Janice Calkin, Dennis has forty years experience in top level Australian Fuel Drag Racing .

As one of Australias greatest race drivers Kevin has a lengthy list of accomplishments, we thank Kevin for supplying this history to us.

Kevin Bartlett Biography

DOB 25 May 1940
Lives at Maleny Qld., Australia. (Sunshine Coast Hinterland)
Married 1965 to Rana. Two sons, Gregory (1966), Steven (1970)

Motor Sport Milestones

Commenced racing age 16 years 10 mths, in a Morris Minor at venues in Australia.
Bathurst, Philip Island, Lowood, Orange, Schofields etc.

Armstrong 500 Bathurst 1963 Holden S4

Class winner Hardie–Ferodo 500, Bathurst 1968 Alfa Romeo. (Alec Mildren Team)

Australian Drivers Championship (Gold Star) 1968. (AMT)

First driver to better 100MPH average at Bathurst, 1969. (AMT)

Class winner Hardie–Ferodo 500, Bathurst 1969 Alfa Romeo. (AMT)

Australian Drivers Championships (Gold Star) 1969. (AMT)

Winner Macau Grand Prix 1969 (AMT)

Indianapolis 500, bumped from field at final qualifying. 1970

Second in Australian Grand Prix. 1971 McLaren M10 B (Shell F5000 Team)

Winner Hardie Ferodo 1000. Bathurst 1974. Ford Falcon (with John Goss)

Subject of televisions ‘This Is Your Life’ program 1978.

Pole position James Hardie 1000, Bathurst 1980. Camaro Z28 (Channel NINE Team)

Pole position James Hardie 1000, Bathurst 1981. Camaro Z28 (Channel NINE Team)

Subject of autobiographical hard-cover book, Big Rev Kev, 1983 (with Jim Shepherd)

Joined Mitsubishi Ralliart, 1984.

Raced Starion in 1984 Australian Super Series

Raced Starion Group A in James-Hardie 1000, Sept 3. 1984

Raced Starion in Australian Touring Car Championship, 1985

Second in class James-Hardie 1000, 1985. Starion Group A

Raced for JPS BMW Team-Sandown and Bathurst, 1986. BMW 635

Raced for Pro-Team Italia Bathurst & Calder, 1987. Maserati Bi-turbo

Raced Production Starion for Bridgestone / Modern Motor Magazine 1987

Australian Racing Drivers Club-Champion, 1987

Winner Stallions Stable Series-Amaroo, 1987

Class winner Taraga Tasmania, 1993 (Nissan GTR)

Class winner Eastern Creek Historic August 1994, Mallock clubman

Class winner Palm Springs USA historic races 3 Nov 1994. Mallock clubman

Held outright lap records at Bathurst, Phillip Island, Surfers Paradise, Lakeside,
Macau, Mallala, Oran Park, Sandown, Symmons Plains, Amaroo Park, Warwick Farm.

Currently 1999 > assisting with David Bowdens collection of historic touring cars, (and a lone
GT40). Working from the Sunshine Coast of Queensland Australia.