THEWIRE

International Car Club Will Invade Peninsula Over 4th July

By Olivia Henning

 

This year the Delmarva Chapter of the Studebaker Driver’s Club will be holding the 50th Golden International Meet at Dover Downs Hotel & Casino from June 29 through July 5. Every year they hold the International Meet at different locations in the United States and this is the first year that it will be held on the Eastern Seaboard.

 

The Studebaker Driver’s Club (SDC) was founded in 1962 to preserve and honor Studebaker automobiles and related products. Over their 114 years of business, the Studebaker Corporation set the standard for top-of-the-line vehicles until they closed their doors in 1966.  The company started by making covered wagons and horse-drawn buggies and was the only manufacturer to successfully evolve from covered wagons to gasoline-powered vehicles. Studebaker went on producing innovative vehicles and engines to support World War II, sedan-styled family cars, and even record-holding race cars. Since the factories closed, the club holds an annual International Meet and Convention to appreciate the history and legacy of the Studebaker name.

 

The Delmarva Chapter is one of the smallest and youngest regional chapters of the club, with only 28 members when they started planning the event. They have been planning for over five years, with collaboration from the National SDC Officers, Dover Downs Hotel & Casino Management Staff, and the State of Delaware’s Division of Tourism. They’ve also received volunteers for the event from several neighboring chapters.

 

“This will bring a several thousand people into the area, that otherwise would never have had a reason to come here,” said Mark Henning, the Meet Committee Chairman and President of the Delmarva Chapter of the SDC. “It could mean around $2-3 million in unexpected revenue for the Dover area alone.”

 

This event is so popular, that several international members are paying to have their cars shipped overseas to attend. Although the event is normally held in the spring, during the school year, Mark thought it would be beneficial to have the meet in the summer and make it more family-oriented than the previous years.

 

Participants in the meet will have the chance to display and see hundreds of Studebakers, vote on their favorites, go on driving tours, listen to seminars and experience Dover Down’s fine dining at all of the event’s banquets. The meet will also feature daily charter bus tours to local attractions, such as the QVC Outlet, Baltimore Inner Harbor, the D.C. National Mall and Dogfish Head Brewery.

 

Attendance for this event is free of charge. Spectators can view the hundreds of museum-quality Studebakers that will be on display throughout the week and can enter the Swap Meet, to buy or trade rare car parts and memorabilia. There will be a World War II Exhibit, featuring the vehicles and products Studebaker made especially for the war efforts. 

 

The Concours d’Elegance attracts many of the club’s international members, which is a show of the most pristine, factory-original examples of the Studebaker marquee`.

 

“It’s rare that you see a Studebaker; they aren’t as common as old Fords or Chevys,” commented Mark. “These meets are really about the unique Studebaker-lovers coming together, though.”

 

People interested in attending the seminars or charter bus tours must register for the International Meet, even if they do not have a vehicle to show. Registration forms and additional information can be found at the event’s website, www.sdcmeet.com. Questions about the event can be emailed directly to Mark Henning at DelMarVaSDC@comcast.net.