This past weekend the Society of Automotive Historians partnered with the Studebaker National Museum in South Bend, Indiana for Automotive History Live!, two days of lectures from renowned automotive historians focused on a variety of topics from the automotive world. The event was held in conjunction with the museum’s annual Concours d’Elegance at Copshaholm, a celebration of automobiles held on the beautiful grounds of the Copshaholm mansion. This was the first year of the partnership; the SAH helped to recruit speakers from its membership while the Studebaker Museum did most of the heavy lifting. The SAH tech guy in residence, Eric Monterastelli, recorded both days’ proceedings for YouTube viewing. The Friday program included seven presentations, with a wide range of subjects that included automotive mascots, the development of the hydra-matic transmission, 100 years of Bentley, Chrysler’s and Studebaker’s Three Musketeers [Fred Zeder, Owen Skelton, and Carl Breer], and a panel discussion of the Mother Roads – the Lincoln Highway, Route 66, and the Interstate Highway System. The adjoining show grounds featured the Concours d’Lemons, a tongue-in-cheek contest celebrating the un-best of the automotive world. Award categories included “Rust Belt American Junk,” “Most Dangerous,” and Best Back Seat; the judging culminated in the presentation of “Worst of Show.”
Saturday featured three more presentations in the auditorium while the Concours judging took place on the grand lawn. The lectures celebrated Pontiac’s 100th anniversary, automotive barn finds, and my personal favorite – “She Drives a Duesy”, an engaging exploration of how women and Auburns, Cords, and Duesenbergs intertwined throughout history. I visited the ACD Museum for my women in automotive museum project a couple of years ago. Presenter Madison Auten, who as archivist has provided background for many of the artifacts I reference, should be applauded for her efforts to bring attention to the unrecognized women in automotive history. The day’s events concluded with the pass and review of the Concours award winners. Spectators lined up along the estate’s stone wall to admire the beautiful motor vehicles as they drove slowly by.
Many SAH members served as judges for the events. As SAH president, I was there to represent the organization and offer support when needed. Blessed with good weather, the weekend events were well organized, well attended, and offered something for everyone. Folks with a two-day ticket could visit both the Studebaker and History museums, attend the lectures, tour the Copshaholm mansion, and walk among the best and un-best automobiles on display. It was a great experience for anyone interested in automotive history; I was honored to be a small part of such an educational, accessible, and exceptional event.
