2013 WRSDC Winter Seminar



With the snow finally coming to a halt we had a sunny morning to travel to Terry and Marcia Frye's home in Middleton on Saturday, March 2nd.  We postponed this technical seminar a week from the date originally scheduled to allow for better travel for the northeastern members as many had voiced their concern with driving on snow and ice covered roads.  Taking advantage of the good road situation and clear weather on this weekend we gathered between 9 and 10 AM and when the coffee finally got hot we had coffee and donuts and started our education for the day.



Terry Frye showed us the method and technique of wood graining that he uses in his wood graining business.  He went through the various steps and materials necessary to wood grain a piece of dashboard trim including how to handle the corners and curves and explained how wood graining can run in different directions on dashboards and window trim.  He discussed dealing with body repairs and demonstrated how cover-ups and repairs have been made and the research that must be done to correct these repairs by showing the dashboard from a 1934 Packard he was researching before beginning the work.  At the end of his presentation he allowed members to try what they had learned and a few participated and many observed this part of the demonstration. This technique is not often demonstrated and we are fortunate to have Terry to show us this important aspect of restoration work.



Wayne Detjen showed us the way he "chopped" the top of a 1962 GT Hawk he is modifying along wih other methods of customizing such as making inner fender wells and LED tail lights for the same "62 Hawk. Wayne is an expert at restoring and customizing Studebakers and other automobiles and his "chalk talk" held the interest and prompted many questions from the members which Wayne answered to everyone's satisfaction.  Many of these modifications are being done in the interest of safety (tail lights and seat belts ,for example) appearance (chopping the top and rear bumper modifications) and preservation of the body and car (plastic inner fenders). He explained how these modifications can be done on an inexpensive budget so that the average member who wants to customize or add safety items to a vehicle can afford to do so. This was a real opportunity to see something seldom presented to the public.



A break for lunch featured Marcia Frye's delicious chili and brownies and goodies brought by other members.  Very very tasty!!!



Buzz Beckman, noted Studebaker authority and WRSDC charter member demonstrated and spoke on the idiosyncrasies and innovations of Studebaker autos and trucks. Buzz (along with his family) has owned and driven and repaired / rebuilt Studebakers for longer than some of our younger members have lived and knows of what he speaks. He explained how several Studebaker innovations such as Hill Holder, self-adjusting brakes, heat dam pistons rotary and tubular shock absorbers and the total list covered 25 different aspects unique to or introduced by Studebaker.  Discussions arose on many of the points and the presentation was unique and very interesting.