Clive Summers – Studebaker Story

As told to Ross Oldman.

I became interested in Studebakers as a nine-year-old when my teacher turned up with a pale green 1948 sedan. This car was replaced with a 1951 Bullet Nose sedan that was later replaced by a 1954 Commander sedan. By the time I left school I was a confirmed Studebaker admirer.

My working life started as a carpentry apprentice in the family building company, and I progressed on to site foreman, project management, estimator and running the business for fifteen years.

I did not act on my desire to own a Studebaker until 1982 when I joined the SCCQ club, and I was looking for a suitable club car when I purchased a 1951 Champion Bullet Nose sedan in 1983 to use as my Studebaker Car Club of Queensland club car.

The car was in fair to good condition, but I tasked a friend Bill Cunnington with a body on restoration that included a colour change from Red to Green.

As purchased

Under restoration by Bill Cunnington

Once Bill had finished his work on the car, it was taken in for a wheel alignment. Unfortunately, it was then discovered that accident damage had shortened the chassis up an inch on one side. The car was hydraulically straightened but I was always disappointed with the steering and the handling.

I moved this car on by auction at Giltrap’s on the Gold Coast at a significant loss.

In 1985 I decided to try my hand at Studebaker ownership once more.

I purchased a pale Blue 1965 Cruiser that was in excellent condition which provided good service until 1992. Although this car was kept on full registration it was primarily used for club activities. This car was also sold through Mr. Car’s at Broadbeach in 1992.

 In 1996 I purchased my 1955 Hard Top President from John Coles. A left hand drive car in very sound condition I had the paint touched up by Ron Ward and kept the car in the original black. A pleasant car to drive and kept until 2015 when it was sold to John Cosgrove. During my ownership this car was maintained by Michael Cosgrove, and he provided me with excellent service.

I made many good friends within the club in those early years and was a very active member until about six years ago. Harold and Phyllis Ireland, Michael and Louise Cosgrove, John and Julie Cosgrove, Mike Kelly, Tracey Capel, Des Skinner, Christopher Skinner, Bill Cunnington, John Cornelius, Gordon McLachlan, Dick and April Adsett, and Athol Lubbe are names that come to my mind today, but I am sure that there are many that I cannot bring to mind at the moment. I was the club librarian for twenty two years.

 Although I am no longer an active club member, I have many fond memories of my time with the club, and I still take an active interest in club affairs.