Page 76 - Demo

74I have a subtle family connection to Studebaker because, when he was in his 20s, my dad sold Studebakers for a short time in Texas. It wasn%u2019t his calling and, after a few months, he returned to Indiana and went on to other endeavors. While Dad never owned a new one, he did purchase a used bullet-nosed Studebaker in the mid-1950s for my mom to drive. Second cars were rare back then, but it was well worn, and didn%u2019t cost him much%u2014just $100. We all called it a puddle-jumper. It only lasted for a year, but Dad seemed to think he%u2019d gotten his money%u2019s worth for 12 months of transportation for the wife and kids, so he bought another one%u2014also for $100. After the third, Mom got an inexpensive new vehicle.I remember those old cars with affection%u2014particularly their characteristic prows%u2014and how we all piled into them to go to school, run errands, or visit the doctor. So, it pleased me get some photographs of the very factory where they%u2019d been built so long ago%u2014before it disappeared, just like a certain trio of puddle-jumpers.Studebaker Corp. (Building 78)%u2014South Bend, St. Joseph Co. (682.05)