Studebaker Car and Truck Show Returns To Custer Sunday, September 3, 2017

Spectators at the 2016 Studebaker Labor Day Car Show in Custer. File Photo: Custer Free Press

August 28, 2017

Custer’s favorite Labor Day car show will be held again this Sunday, September 3, 2017.  Returning to show their Studebaker and Packard cars and trucks will be drivers from South Dakota and five regional states.  On Sunday, members of the Studebaker Drivers Club will be showing their vehicles at 6th Street and Mt Rushmore Road from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. A variety of both restored and modified cars and trucks from the 1930’s to the 1960’s will be on display at the free show.  It will include two restored “Hawk” models which were the sports cars of the 1950’s as well as two “Avanti” models from the 1960’s which were produced with high-powered engines.  Visitors to the show can vote for their favorite car, receive a pamphlet on the history of the Studebaker Corporation, or buy tee shirts or caps with the Studebaker logo.

Two 2R-5 pickups from the 1950’s will also be on display. These were known in this era for their streamlined design and double enforced side walls to haul extra heavy loads will also be shown.  This was in contrast to all of the military and farm trucks which Studebaker was manufacturing.  And a new entrant this year is a restored sleigh.  The history of the Studebaker Corporation includes their early manufacture of horse-drawn wagons as well as sleighs.  The company was one of the first to design an electric model but soon switched to gas-powered.  At one time this company was considered one of the major manufacturer of automobiles.

The group will have an informal display of their vehicles at the Super 8 Motel during evening hours and will be cruising to Keystone on Saturday.  On Sunday evening, the group will attend a banquet where trophies will be given, based on visitor voting.  Four additional plaques will be given out.  Outstanding vehicles will be selected by: Mayor Corbin Herman, Fred Bauman of the Custer Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Studebaker Family, and columnist for Turning Wheels magazine, Ingvar Vik.

Popular Studebaker Car Show Returns to Custer, SD Labor Day Weekend

Popular Studebaker Car Show Returns to Custer, SD Sunday September 4, 2016, Labor Day Weekend

File Photo/Custer Free Press

By Herb Ryan

Custer, SD – On Friday afternoon September 2, 2016 members of the Dakotas Chapter of the Studebaker Drivers Club will be making their way to Custer, SD for the annual car show dedicated to Studebakers and Packards. Mary Coffin, spokesperson for the Dakotas Chapter of the Studebaker Drivers Club said ” We will have people from five states participating. It’s difficult to determine how many cars will show up because some owners just show up on the day of the show and register.

A rarity for the show this year will be a 1909 horse-drawn Studebaker Wagon,” we’ll give rides Sunday unless it gets too hot for the horses” said Mary. The Studebaker family migrated from Soliengen, Germany in 1736, Clement Studebaker is reported to have built his first wagon in 1750, starting a family industry that would continue until the last Studebaker was produced in Canada March 17, 1966. Mary Coffin said “come on down Sunday and have some fun viewing our Studebakers and a few Packard’s (which are our “cousins.”)  We feel like we’re the caretakers of automotive history with our vehicles from the 1920’s – 1964″.

This is a free event for the public and a $5.00 entry fee for those who enter vehicles. People at the car show can vote for their favorite car and truck. The top three owners of winning vehicles will receive trophies and several plaques will be given out at the Award Ceremony at the VFW Post 3442 on Mt Rushmore Rd Sunday evening.

This free event is being held on 6th street, and in the Custer Chamber parking lot starting Sunday September 4, 2016  at 10:00am  and continuing until 3:00pm in the afternoon.