Today I dropped off the ML at the dealer for the emission problem. I drove the 39 studie around a bit getting lots of thumbs up. I had 285 miles on the tank of gas (though I believe the speedo to be optimistic by 5 or ten miles per hour. Took 10 gallons so at least 25 mpg in mixed driving.

Wooo Hooooo!

A guy came up and asked all about it then launched into a description of all the cars he owns....among them a GTO and a GEO wagon (never built by the factory). It was a little different than the usual comments.

Another guy came up and asked if I had a 250 crate motor in it. When I told him what it was he seemed disappointed and walked away.

I am finding the gear too tall. I can cruise easily in fourth or fifth but the acceleration through the gears is sluggish. I may go all the way to a 3.73.

Driving 'Round
 

Sounds goo to me .

Some folks don't like to actually drive so they waste all their attention on big, noisy go fast crap that makes the vehicle unpleasant to drive .

I'd love a ride in your Studie Coupe Express .

Next time I am in your neighborhood I'll drop by.;)

Passing By
 

That works for me too :D .

I know some really good country roads close by too .

Got the studie out today for the first time. That is a sweet driving little truck. It feels quicker than my 92 euro d wagon. The play in the steering sucks though. I may have to break down one of these days and buy a new rack for it.

Today I had the pleasure of watching my 10 year old grandson (of 8) for a few hours.* We hung around the house for a while and ate supper together.*

Then I asked him if he wanted to go for a walk.* He said yes.* Then I asked if he would rather go to get some ice cream.....he thought about it for a while (really?) and said ice cream.*

*Then he asked if we could go in one of my hobby cars.* I said sure we could take the Studebaker.* So we got it out of the garage and headed over to the frozen custard.* He said he really loved the Studebaker.*

So we got ice cream....me with a thing on a stick with chocolate and crushed nutz (ouch!).* He asked if he could have a banana split.* He said he had never had one.* So I said sure.* We sat at a bench and table and ate.*

On the way home he again said he really loved the Studebaker.* I told him about my dad, grand dad and uncle working at the factory.* Then he said if there was a way for him to have it after I am gone (actually he was a bit more subtle).* I said it would probably be a goner by then and he said no it would last forever.*

I told him I would have to think about what would happen on my demise, if I still have it then.

See not all studie fans are old farts!;)

Sounds like a great kid with excellent taste! Did he get thru the banana split?

Dan

'bout half.;)

Thanks Dan!

I haven't driven it much. I just read through the thread for fun. Several niggly issues have remained unresolved. I do have over 1,200 miles on the build now.

What To Do
 

Go to the window or door that affords the best view of it and just stand there a while, let your mind wander .

If you're not happy looking at it, let it go : you have others things that please you .

...not really thinking of letting it go yet. I could though, though it took a load of effort to build.

Having owned a few muscle cars in my 30s has cured my need for speed . The noise and attention wasn’t a big thing for me , open exhaust seems unfamiliar now . I like rumble but not blasted noise , when it’s clear that a car has been greatly improved over its original drivetrain gets a big thumbs up from this corner . Keep on motivating young people with a clear look at the future , an engine that gets 7 miles to the gallon and shakes the neighbors house is for the attention seekers , I’m just loving the sound of mechanical pure ness of the 617 .

Thoughts About.....
 

Motorvating rapidly, growing up and letting go :

Muscle cars can be fun, my graymarket 350SLC with stick shift certainly was one if in disguise .

I like to hear the engine but don't like loud raspy exhausts, those are (unless on actual race / track vehicles) attention getters used by insecure or immature people .

Taking the mufflers off a turbo changed OM617.952 engine increases the sound but never got me a ticket, I don't screech my tires (ever) .

I could still listen to the radio and no dirty looks when passing through the 1% areas .

Letting go is only difficult if you have to I had a 1953 VW ('Zwitter') split rear window Beetle, it sat unfinished in my back yard for over ten years before I was willing to let it go, I had a LOT of memories tied up in it, good and bad .

I need to think about moving it on. I have only driven it a few times this summer.

I wish I could afford it.......

I miss my 300CD already .

Coupes are nice and I'm an 'Empty Nester' .