I have posted before about my need to go to South Bend to pick up parts
for the wrecked '64 Cruiser of a NCSDC member. I also have been talking
for several months with Indiana SDC member Lanny Bertram- about the
restoration/rebuild of his 1963 R2 Lark Custom 2-door sedan. Tentative
arrangements were for delivery around the first of November.
The '64 Cruiser needed alot of sheetmatal... Shipping was prohibitive,
so I thought I'd make the trip up to SASCO and pick the items up. This
would allow me to swing by Lanny's and pick up the '63 a couple months
early. I had planned to use a friend's Rollback- but that deal fell
through at the last minute. So, I needed a bigger truck....

I left NC on Thursday morning- and headed to my brother's place in
Cambridge Ohio. I got there about 12:00 in the afternoon. He has a 2000
F250 V-10 pickup- that I needed to borrow. My '96 Explorer wouldn't hold
all the sheetmetal, and tow the car home too... I grabbed a quick bite
to eat, and headed to Lee DeLaBarre's place in Ft Wayne. It was a long
day of driving- but I got to Lee's about 7:00 that evening. With plenty
of daylight left- I got to tour Lee and Debbie's Studefarm. Lee has
several barns full of Studes and Stude-parts. I also got to see his
Honda Rune- and Debbies new Honda 1800 Motorcycle (more later). We
perused the CopCar, and Debbie's new Red '63 Wagonaire. Lee has brought
the Pace Car to NC so I have seen it before. Late that evening- Lee
broiled some steaks and we had a great meal in preperation for the long
day on Friday. I was pretty beat from the long trip- so it was very easy
to fall fast asleep in their guest room.

Lee and I left Ft Wayne heading for SASCO about 7:30 in the morning.
Traffic was light most of the way- so It only took about 1 1/2 hours to
get there. I had called ahead to be sure most of the parts were pulled
and waiting for us. We then spent a couple hours of looking around the
facility- and buying #41 of clips, clamps, and special Stude fasteners.
Dennis offered me a great bargain on a complete sliding rear glass kit
for My Ugly Truck. I picked up an additional Hood for Linda's '66 Wagon,
since it was damaged during shipping. Bob Palma saw my ad about a truck
galavanting around Indiana... so he took me up on the offer to retrieve
another '64 Hood for him- to bring to the Indy area. Kent Fodor met us
at SASCO- because LeeD had some tires for him that I was able to haul up
to SB for him. In a couple hours, we had the bed of the truck about 2/3
full of sheetmetal and widgets. LeeD likes the fastener bins also- as he
picked up #52 of additional widgets to add to the #30 he'd picked up
last week.

After loading, it was time to head off to SI. SI is on the east side of
Indy... so Lee gave me the directions and we were off... The trip was
about 3 hours, but we made good time and arrived safely. I needed
several items from Ed that weren't available at SASCO. I also picked up
a batch of additional decals for engine detailing, and other parts. I
didn't get shop-happy, but did buy a few extra items I wasn't really
looking for. Done at SI- it was time for the cross-town trek to Lanny's.

It's faster to run the loop around Indy than to go through it... so off
we went. It took 1 1/2 to get to Lannys. Bob Palma met us just off the
bypass at a local McDonalds/Kroger parking lot- and led us the back-way
to Lanny's place. Lanny's place has a long driveway- and I'm not too
used to backing my trailer up with such a long wheelbase truck. It took
a couple attempts- but I finally got the trailer in front of the garage
doors. Lanny had everything boxed in plastic tubs, and most of the large
items were neatly stacked and ready for us. We took a few minutes to say
our hello's (I had never met Lanny in person.. and I was taking his car
away...)and figure out the most logical way to load a car in 1000 pieces.

The first item loaded was the frame. It had no suspension on it.. so it
had to be carrioed out to the trailer. A bare frame isn't too heavy at
all.. so it wasn't any trouble getting it loaded and chained in place.
Next, was the bare R2 Block. I had Lanny mount the bellhousing to it, so
I could set it on the engine mounts and crossmember. The 4-of us carried
the block to the trailer, and Lee and I were able to get it positioned
in the frame. We bolted the engine in solid- but the bellhousing just
rested on the crossmember. The TT Rear axle was placed across the tongue
of the trailer in front of the bed. This is a nice spot- as it can't go
anywhere.

Lanny had the main Body hanging from the ceiling of his garage. His
engine hoist supported the rear of the car. We jacked the body up, and I
backed the trailer and frame under it. A few minutes of wiggling and
adjusting...and it was positioned on the frame nicely.
The plastic tubs and odd parts were all placed inside the car and trunk.
What wouldn't fit inside- went into the back of the pick-up. Loading the
car took about 2 hours. After saying our goodbyes..(and noticing the
tear in Lanny's eye).. we headed away from Avon.

Bob Palma wouldn't let us leave until he bought us dinner.. So off to
one of his favorite BBQ places we went. A grungier trio they haven't
seen... Lee did change his shirt- so he was somewhat presentable. During
dinner, we talked about lots of studestuff, including some of Bob's
anecdotes about him and his cousin George Krem. It was getting late- and
Lee and I still had 3 1/2 hours back to Ft Wayne ahead of us. There was
a small concern when pulling onto the interstate. I noticed a tire
smoking on the on-ramp, but it subsided when back onto the highway. On
the turns, a fender was rubbing a tire due to the additional weight, and
the angle of the trailer. My brother's truck sits much higher than mine,
so the ball-hitch was pretty high. I just proceeded more carefully on
the curves and ramps- and no further incidents were encountered. I
borrowed a drop-down receiver from Lee the next morning- for the trip home.

After 2- solid days of driving, Saturday was going to be a short-trip
back to my brother's place (5-hours). So, I had some time in the
morning/afternoon to spend with Lee. Lee has a weekly Saturday breakfast
get-together with a couple of his biker-friends.. so he asked if I'd
like to  join him... and do some riding afterwards. Of course- I jumped
at the chance. Lee offered me either bike to ride, and I just had to try
out the Rune. It's more bike than I have ever riden- by a long shot. I
have been riding for 35 years.. but this was going to be an experience.
We left Lee's place around 7:00 am... We met his friends at a nearby
parking lot. We greeted each other- and they decided where they would
eat this morning. A short-ride over to the restaurant ended with me
fighting to keep the Rune upright while stopping on the loose gravel
parking lot. The brakes were somewhat more sensitive than my bike's. But
catastrophy was avoided.. and my hernia should heal in a few weeks..<G>.
After breakfast, We were ready for a nice leisurely cruise
(yeah...right!). Lee and I were joined by his friend Mike (on a Harly
Road King). They decided on a route- and off we went. It gets very rural
pretty quickly in that area. Long stretches of straight highway are easy
to find. It didn't take too long for Lee to dtry to see if I was willing
to "keep up"... I have never been faster on a motorcycle in my life..
but the Rune quickly eclipsed the century mark- and was still pulling
very hard..when I backed out at 112. I would have continued- but my
glasses began to dance off my face. Lee was leaving me and proclaimed
118 before he noticed our gap widen.. and slowed to allow me to catch
up. A Couple minutes later the Harly was back within sight... It's not a
fair comparison with a full-dressed Bike. We continued to cruise
together on the backroads and visiting a covered bridge and other scenic
places. Mike left us at about 10:00, but Lee and I continued our ride
for several more hours. We switched bikes for awhile, as I am
considering purchasing another motorcycle. I have been looking at the
V-Twins, but had not ridden one for any length of time. After riding the
1800 Twin, and the Opposed-6cyl Rune.. I prefer the smoothness of the
Rune. I will probably begin looking for an older Valkyrie.  After a
fillup- and some more riding, we got back to Lee's around 2:30pm. It was
time for goodbye's and heading back to NC.

I can't thank Lee and Debbie enough for their hospitality. They are
great people, and I'm happy to have them amongst my friends. Likewise
for Bob Palma, and Lanny Bertram. True Studebaker people have an
attitude and comraderie you just don't find very often. They make life FUN!

Ray