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?

Out of the garage…

An empty garage is seldom seen…but a welcome sight as it means that our Falcon project is coming to completion! Last night we got Falcon ready for his “first” drive! It felt really good to see the car go once again! Here’s what we did before taking him out…

Falcon Update

After Ethan and I’s 10-day rush to get the Falcon rolling earlier this month…we took a rest break and then geared up for Christmas. Now we’re scurrying to get it finished for a road trip to see my family this weekend!
We’ve had the carb rebuilt. Last night we found leaky front wheel cylinders and have replaced them and finished bleeding the system. Fresh fuel has replaced the bad stuff we drained.

Falcon now fires up well – there just seems to be a couple small kinks to iron out. For example, the brake lights aren’t coming on….faulty brake switch?
To be continued…

1960 Ford Falcon: Rush to Finish

You all know I’ve been working (very slowly) on getting my 1960 Ford Falcon rejuvenated. As much as everyone hates deadlines, sometimes they’re just what you need. So I’ve declared that I want the Falcon on the road in time to go to the Mooneyes Xmas Car Show on December 8th. Since last Sunday, every spare moment at home has been committed to working towards that goal. I know I have plenty to still cover about what has been done so far – but there’s nothing like the moment! I’m making brief daily posts over on my other writing outlet, MyRideisMe.com, so you can follow along in the adventure. Click here to be directed to the latest on the 10-day rush over at MyRideisMe.com!

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!

Picture of the Week: Powered By Women

Success @ SEMA with SBN Mustang Build

Last week was the unveiling of the SEMA/SBN Mustang Build Powered by Women. Honored to be part of this project, it was such a joy to see the finished project revealed in the Ford Booth of the SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Most of the 40+ amazing women who carried out the build were there for the event – and I have to say I am so inspired by getting to meet and know many of them. It’s encouraging to get to know other women working professionally in the automotive industry – from engine specialists, to paint and body, mechanics, PR, marketing, and execs. This project has been another motivation for me to continue working towards my ultimate goal of having my own shop one day.

If you’d like to put a bid on the finished Ford Mustang, it has less than 24 hours to go – so hurry up and gather your pennies! All proceeds of the Ebay Motors auction will be going toward the SEMA Scholarship Fund for the next generation of automotive professionals. You can find the auction here or by navigating to www.sema.org/auctions.

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).