Dr. George Hamlin has made a career out of restoring the health of his patients, but the Clarksville, Md., doctor also has a weakness for reviving vehicles. A case in point is his 1951 Studebaker 2R6 stepvan. A fellow Studebaker admirer clued Dr. Hamlin to the decrepit truck. It was parked behind an outbuilding in Manassas, Va., next to the historic Bull Run stream where the first major battle of the U.S. Civil War took place. When Dr. Hamlin saw the stepvan, it was in terminal condition. The Studebaker was slowly sinking into the earth, had ventilated sheet metal from numerous bullet holes, lacked glass in all of its eight window openings and would become flooded when Bull Run overflowed. Most people would have said the truck was in Old Cars Price Guide #6 condition and beyond restoration. It probably would have required a tetanus shot just to be near it, let alone in it. Without a doubt, the flatlined van was on its way to the great parking lot in the sky. The van pulled at Dr. Hamlin's heartstrings, especially since he has a soft spot for Studebakers. I can understand, having had a used 1962 Lark that I bought from Bell Telephone when I was in college. Dr. Hamlin has an appreciation for this ordinary work-for-a-living truck. He knew it would be an ambitious project in need of lots of care. Besides being a collector and restorer of Studebakers, Dr. Hamlin is also a published auto historian. He wrote "Studebaker Professional Cars," a 316-page book with more than 300 photos of Studebaker-based hearses, ambulances, limousines and police cars, so the truck was right up his alley. |
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| Montana is known as the treasure state. Precious gems, gold, acres of rich farm land, and beautiful views. For those early pioneers and residents, it's not an easy life, but there is fortune to be had and a good life for those willing to make it through the tough years. It is not for the faint of heart. Alverta and George Dielman ventured to Montana to start their life in the shadow of the Bear Paw Mountains. Alverta purchased their 160 acres in 1935 that would become the homestead and where they would raise their family. The couple had only one child, Lewis Dielman. Farming is a hard life. They raised wheat, barley, oats, and even chickens and had a big garden and beautiful yard. In about the 1950's there would be another crop, a crop of old iron that would be an addition to the farm and a sideline for some extra money. Lewis Dielman loved automobiles, and well, the car collection. It all started with a bet. Lewis wanted a car. His dad, George, said, "I bet you cannot buy those cars they saw for $50.00 each. You get them for less, then make a deal. Bet you can't." Well, the challenge was on. Lewis took the bet and bought the cars for $35.00 each. This started the Dielman Collection. Lewis liked Dodge pickups, Buicks, Lincolns, and even had a 1940 Chevrolet coupe as a first car. That very car is still in the collection. The father and son duo went to auctions, and traveled around the area buying vehicles, trucks, and more. Soon, car dealers would call them to buy the vehicles that they would take in on trade. The Dielman Collection grew. |
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Remember reading in Old Cars about actor David Sullivan's R-Code 1968 Ford Torino GT? How about the Stahl Collection's Duesenberg-powered 1935 Auburn Speedster? The Petty 1964 Plymouth Belvedere NASCAR stock car? Here's a list of places that you can see them in person in the coming weeks! David Sullivan R-Code 1968 Ford Torino GT JUNE 30-JULY 4 — AUBURN, IND.: On display at NATMUS in Auburn, Ind., from June 30 to July 4. On July 4, David Sullivan will be signing autographs at NATMUS from 2-4 pm, then will complete his first drive in the car with FCA Head Judge Marty Burke, who handles the Torino, from NATMUS to a cruise-in at the Auburn town square at 5pm. He'll be signing posters from 6-8 pm at the NATMUS/DeKalb County booth in downtown Auburn after he completes the drive from NATMUS. https://natmus.org https://visitdekalb.org/ (Dekalb County Visitors Bureau) JULY 5 — WATERLOO, IND.: On display at the Antique Automobile Club of America's (AACA) Central Spring Nationals meet at DeKalb High School in Waterloo, Ind., on Saturday, July 5. Hundreds of other cars will also be on display as part of the AACA judged meet. Learn more by clicking here: https://aaca.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/2025_Auburn_Central_Spring.pdf Duesenberg-powered Auburn Speedster and Petty 1964 Plymouth Belvedere The Duesenberg-powered 1935 Auburn Speedster owned by the Stahls Motors & Music Experience and Boris Bonutti's Richard Petty 1964 Plymouth Belvedere will be displayed together. JULY 10-12 — IOLA, WIS.: The Iola Car Show in Iola, Wis., will display the Speedster and Belvedere in the Lindsay Room from July 10-12. Learn more at https://www.iolaoldcarshow.com https://www.stahlsauto.com/ (Stahls Motors and Music Experience) |
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The last time we wrote about our 1949 Packard Monte Carlo was in the Jan. 10, 2019, issue of Old Cars—more than five years ago. Much has happened to all of us since then, and it's time to get back on track. In introducing this column, I feel a bit like Jon Stewart of "The Daily Show," who came back on air after a 10-year hiatus. His opening line on his first returning episode was, "It's great to be back….now where was I?" His opening line is exactly how I feel in sharing the second part of the Monte Carlo story. |
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How much is your vintage ride worth? You can now join the Old Cars Price Guide Membership and find out online. Pricing right at your fingertips. |
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