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1934 Studebaker
Owner: -Earl Guttenfelder, Atlantic, IA
Earl writes the following: "Thanks for asking about the 1934 Studebaker. Being retired for the last 5 years, the Studebaker has provided me with a never-ending source of fun and pride. It is a very unique car and I feel very rare - I have seen one other one in 45 years. I was born and raised on a farm by a father that did everything for himself. That wasn't lost on me. Only the interior upholstery was done by someone else. A few days after I graduated from high school I went to Auto Mechanics School in Kansas City, MO. Naturally I had to have a job to pay for school. That first job was at a Mobile Gas filling station just east of the Country Club Plaza on 48th Street. The Studebaker was there being for sale to settle an estate. I didn't pay much attention at first - too busy - new job, strange town - girlfriend back home - school to go to - but one day the seller took me for a ride, the rest as they say has been an enjoyable history, hobby, past time, obsession etc. A lot of things have come and gone in my life in the past 45 years, but the Studebaker is still here. It has commanded its own private parking stall for 30+ years. I have rebuilt the 1934 Studebaker. Earlier I was a hot rodder but changed to a Street Rodder in 1980. In the 90's I redid the engine, transmission, entire front end converted to tilt up opening, removed new dropped front axle and mounted Heidt Super ride independent suspension. Early 2002 repainted the vehicle from an old black chipped, cracked, dull paint to re-priming as you see it now. 2003 put in all new wood in top and new top, glass etc. June 2004, we open the door for the Studebaker to leave under its own power, first time in 30 years and go for a cruise in a brand new car - A brand new 1934 Studebaker Street Rod. As in most hobbies, the hobby of Street Rodding is huge - Nation Wide - Car Shows, Swap meets, Cruise Nites are everywhere. In 2005 The Studebaker and I attended National Street Rod Assoc. shows at Oklahoma City, Springfield, MO and Milwaukee, WI. Also Goodguys shows in Des Moines, IA and Colorado Springs, CO. June we were participants in the Motor Iowa 500 - a cruise of the southeast cities in Iowa. The Last Show of the Year for this year was at Lincoln, NE with the Lincoln Area Street Rodders. This car will never be closed - never to be completely finished - always to have another project for the following winter to improve it for the next summer cruises. The car shows are great with great entertaining people and great cars, but the real fun is getting there."
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