The “STU BAD” Story

Martin St. Romain

It seems that everybody has a Studebaker story to tell and, as the newly elected President of SDC Louisiana Chapter I, Martin St. Romain, thought I’d share mine with you. Studebakers have been around on my mother’s side of the family since the early 30’s, maybe even as early as 1926 when my Mother began driving at age 11. My grandfather, Eddie D. Lirette was the first Welding instructor in Terrebonne Parish and the Houma Louisiana area. He received his training at Delgado Trade School in New Orleans. It was at this time that he met the man who sold him his first Studebaker and this man, years later, would become my Catholic Godfather and his wife, Nell, my Godmother.

Pierre Chive’, my Godfather who came from Canada and settled in New Orleans, was an early car enthusiast. But he always called cars Automobiles. He was a born car salesman meaning so in a professional sense. He could have you paint the mental picture of you going places with pride and being seen in this new Studebaker Automobile without leaving the showroom floor. And, with his Canadian accent he was quiet the charmer. Mr. Chive’ was one of three Studebaker Dealers in New Orleans and had his Dealership, Chive’ Motors, on Rampart Street across from the Municipal Auditorium in Downtown New Orleans. I am not totally clear on all of the facts, but I believe that he was the Distributor for the Southeast USA.

Pierre Chive’ was not a politician, but he knew all of them and acted like he had been elected to be in charge of entertaining. He and his wife were very active in the New Orleans Social Circle and the major Carnival Clubs. He had a fleet of convertibles that he would loan out for Parades. One of his cars was in our local Bayou Bakers News Letter with New Orleans Mayor Chep Morrison being driven. Also, each year he would give away a brand new Studebaker at the Church Fairs of the Catholic Schools where my Sisters and I attended. He customized many of his cars by modifying the taillights and exhaust. He had a custom painted Golden Hawk and Silver Hawk. The Silver Hawk had a Flying Saucer painted on the doors. I remember as a kid of 10 years old in 1955 riding with him at speeds over 100 mph on the Claiborne Ave. overpass in downtown New Orleans with the top down.

Over the years photos were lost and about all I have left is old 8mm movies that were copied on to VHS Tapes. The quality is so bad that Photos could not be made from the tapes UNLESS somebody out there has connections with the FBI. They have the equipment to enhance these films but they don’t return my calls. One photo that remains is my family is at a Mardi Gras Parade in Houma Louisiana around 1948. We were all in the back of my Dad’s 48’ Stude Stake Body Truck with “St.Romain’s Plumbing & Home Equipment Co.” painted on the door. I also have a letter from Pierre Chive’ on his Studebaker letterhead dated October 25, 1945 congratulating me on my birth and introducing he and his wife as my Godparents. Along with the letter was a check for $25.00; spent long ago.

My father, Ernest St. Romain, now 93 years old and in great health, also had many Stude’s in the ‘40’ and 50’s. Last October I bought my first. It’s a ‘62 GT Hawk with a 289, 2bbl, and a four speed. This car has never been restored and in great restorable shape. It is currently For Sale because, in December of 2003, I found a car that had been had a frame off restoration 1986. Following that it spent many years in a Museum in Dallas. It’s a ‘63 GT Hawk, 289 R1, 4bbl and 4 speed. I understand that less than 250 cars were made with these options. It’s a Black Beauty and has Black and Red interior. This car is almost 100 % original. It’s so beautiful that it’s BAD. That’s why my Custom License Plate reads “ STU BAD”.

My car was the June car in the 2003 Studebaker Calendar. The Photo was taken in the front of the gate entering President Bush’s Ranch, “ The Broken Spoke”, in Texas. Yesterday I won a contest to be one of twelve cars in the KOOL 97.5 Car Calendar. KOOL is an oldies Radio Station in New Orleans. As I drove my car home I stopped to buy some prime rib eyes at a local store. When I came out of the store, several people were around my car. One of the men began telling his story to me. His uncle was a comptroller for Studebaker in South Bend.

Everywhere I go People tell me their Studebaker story. Thanks for letting me share mine with you. If any of you remember my Godfather or the Dealership or have related stories to share, please e-mail me at msr2@internet8.net.

I just received a call from the photographer with KOOL 95.7 and the want to feature my car as the October car in the calendar. They want to photograph it in an old cemetery in New Orleans. We set it up for this Saturday. Then the guy tells me that as an added bonus they reserved the first 12 places, as you walk on the field, in the New Orleans Superdome for the 2005 World of Wheels. All 12-calendar cars will be on display.

WOW!