I know that every so often someone will give a shout out to a Studebaker vendor or enthusiast who went beyond expectations to help them. And I find that I must also do the same.
I bought a '63 GT Hawk from JP and Studebob some 3 years ago. No one local had the time, so David Groth agreed to take on the project of painting and reassembling the car to a finished status, in addition to making sure it was mechanically sound.
Early on, parts were ordered and shipped to DG. Since it is an Avanti powered automatic Hawk, numbers matching, I asked that it be painted Ermine White, the original color. Car also came with factory A/C. This I thought a car worth redoing, not to be a frame off or museum resto, but to look like
1963 in appearance. Money sent, questions asked, more parts sent, and I waited.Oops, a problem arose. David painted the car and he decided that it was not the proper color. He had the paint remixed and reshot the car. Soon after, a noted Studebaker person viewed the car and explained to DG that his original spray of the car was correct, and the remix was a boo boo. I get notified and after some thinking decided against another paint. After all, white is white. I waited some more.
More time passes, DG is hard to get ahold of. Admits to some personal trials taking away from the car. Been there done that, so I understand. Nov '05 I get a request for more money to "finish the car". Send money and request a pickup date for transport. Finally in May, car is ready, but transport details not worked out until two weeks ago. Car arrived. WOW!
I have to thank DG for his help in making the economy of Fargo, ND better as he must have spent the money on something else other than his labor on my car. I also want to thank DG for his making the economy of Mooresville, NC better as I had to go out and buy a battery in order to unload the car from the transporter. I need to also add thanks to DG for now making it possible for someone else to share in the renovation of my car. All in all, his efforts on this car have served to improve the financial situation all over this country and I think he should be commended. So David, my hat's off to you. Great Job, I appreciate you! For those who can't understand such effusive praise, I have created a photo album for you to view the car as I received it. Maybe then you will also be able to say "WOW!".