Would You Drive Your Classic Up Pike’s Peak?

The 2013 National Studebaker Meet meet happens to be in Colorado Springs, CO this year. Usually held in Indiana, it’s closer proximity prompted me to look over the schedule. I was surprised when I saw “Drive Your Studebaker to the top of Pikes Peak” listed.

Pike’s Peak is famous for the Pike’s Peak Hill Climb race each year. The “Race to the Clouds” speeds up Pike’s 12.42 miles of narrow, twisting road – climbing 4,720 feet as it winds past 156 turns. I would love to drive this route – but the thought of driving my drum brake-equipped Studebaker here makes me shudder…

My first mountain drive was up to Big Bear, a summer or two after getting Stude. It wasn’t going up the mountain that was the problem (although I did have carburetor issues with the altitude)…it was coming DOWN! Careful not to ride my brakes, heating them up was unavoidable. I went as slow as possible and eventually had a line of traffic behind me. When a turn-out finally appeared, Stude rolled very slowly to a stop.

After this journey I vowed never to drive in the mountains again with Stude. But life always brings surprises, and I unknowingly piloted Stude to another mountainside.

When my husband and I were driving to our honeymoon destination – the last stretch of road dropped dramatically down a mountainside. Not exactly an ideal time to worry about barreling down a steep cliff! Luckily we made it without mishap – but it wasn’t the funnest part of the journey.

These experiences made me all the more surprised when I saw the Pike’s Peak drive on the schedule of the SDC Meet. I suppose a number of owners have upgraded to disc brakes, because I wouldn’t dare drive the peak – while my Stude wouldn’t have a problem getting UP the mountain, I fear she’d need to be air-lifted out of there!

Does anyone else have experience driving their classic to the mountains?

Studebaker Celebration: It’s All in the Details

I’ve owned my Studebaker for over six years. One of the first resources that I looked to for advice was the Studebaker Drivers Club (SDC) – they have a terrific online forum with loads of info and helpful fellow Studebaker-ites. After getting my 1955 Studebaker on the road and to it’s first car show years ago, I realized just how unique us Studebaker owners are. Seldom crossing paths with other Studebakers, I’ve always planned to attend a SDC chapter event – but it just never happened. Until recently that is…

The Old World Studebaker Car Show is put on annually by the Beach Cities/Inland Empire chapter of the SDC. One of their members, John (who’s also a reader at GreaseGirl), emailed me ahead of time letting me know I should put it on my calender. I had penciled-in Studebaker events on the calender before, with every intention of attending, but my own car club or some other function always seemed to get in the way. But this time I was determined – Old World Car Show would be my very first Studebaker meet!

Update: Powered By Women Build

I introduced the SEMA Business Women’s Network (SBN) Mustang Build Powered by Women to you a few months back. Since that time, a design was chosen, the build has been completed, it’s been put on EBay Motors for auction, and it will be officially unveiled in Ford’s booth at Tuesday at SEMA!
“High Gear” is the build concept chosen and was created by Ford Designer Jennifer Seely. I like that this design is a strong and powerful reflection of both the Ford Mustang as well as the many SBN women who have worked together to build it. I was honored to be asked to lead the interior portion of this project. In which myself and a handful of other women worked to upgrade the stereo, upholstery, and wrap up some other work.

Not only did I have a fantastic time working on the car at Source Interlink’s garage (Source being the parent company that runs most every major car magazine), but I got to work alongside and get to know some other really fabulous women who share my passion for cars.

One of the goals behind the Powered By Women build is to give a face to the many women working within the automotive industry. Not only to show our capabilities, but also to open doors for the next generation of ladies entering the work force. The exposure given the build will help to show young ladies that there’s a future for them within automotive and the money raised by the auction will go towards the SEMA Scholarship Fund.

I’ll be sharing pictures of the finished project live during the reveal via my Grease Girl Facebook page or on Instagram (@greasegirl).

What I Did This Summer Vacation…

With summer drawing to a close, I figured it was a perfect time to return and let you in on everything that’s been going on in this Grease Girl’s world. It’s been an exciting season full of lots of changes and adventures – and yes, many articles that have gone unwritten…a problem I plan to rectify! Take a peek and see what I’ve been up to and what’s in store…

Miss Combustion and her Gasoline Girls

It’s been project central in my garage lately – so much so that not enough stories have been making it to GreaseGirl! The largest current undertaking is the preparation of a demolition derby car. My car club, the Gasoline Girls, were approached a few months back and asked to take part in an all-girl demolition derby to help raise funds for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation. Knowing it was a great cause paired with a great learning opportunity, we agreed. And lucky me (or unlucky, depending on opinion) I’m the designated driver!