Insure your 
classic car with  
Turkey Rod Run! (Conclusion)

How they accomplish a Thanksgiving feast away from home is unbelievable. We had fresh hot coffee and pastries every morning and a noon meal daily that was beyond anyone’s expectations. This year we had some new Studebakers join us and hope to see more next year.
See Jeff Rice's videos here-

Now for the rest of the story. It was an uneventful trip to Daytona Beach. We checked into the hotel, got settled in and then drove up to the BelAir Plaza to see if there were any cars that had arrived

since it was Tuesday and Turkey Run starts Thursday. Much to our surprise, the parking lot was loaded with vehicles of all makes and models. Wednesday it rained so we drove over to New Smyrna Beach so I could stop at a pottery shop. We found some really nice shops, boats and plenty to do when it rains.

Back at the hotel by 10 PM only to discover that sweat pants and one pair of dirty blue jeans are the only pants I have. I forgot to give Pat ALL the clothes to be put in the car. Only store open is Walmart so off we go for an emergency pants hunting trip. Thursday was opening day and we were at the race track from opening to closing time Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

After the track closed there were events happening all over town. We left the track Saturday and drove around town with all the car enthusiasts then back to the hotel to pack for the trip home.

The Hawk performed well and we were heading back to Savannah Sunday morning. We left early Sunday morning knowing we’d get home early and be able to relax. We got to exit 298 when the car decided it would over heat and blow steam all over the interstate. Pat pulled off at the exit and parked at a citrus fruit/gas pumps station to find out they had gas and fruit only.

We knew Neil Thornton and family were going to be traveling home so Pat called Neil and told him where we were and what the problem was and Neil said he’d stop and help us. A nice gentleman stopped at the fruit stand and told us he was behind us for miles and noticed the steam coming from underneath the car. We thanked him for telling us that.

Buddy and his wife from the North Georgia Studebaker Drivers Club stopped for juice and saw us with the hood up and offered the use of their tools. About that time another gentleman pulled in who stopped for juice and he pulled out a set of tools. Neil and Edie Thornton, Mitchell and Celicia Pair and Neil’s niece and husband all pulled in to lend a hand.

They found the belt that drives the water pump and a/c compressor was 90 degrees turned.

 Having a trusted spare in the trunk, it was quick work to change and get back on the road. We drove around Jacksonville and Edie Thornton called to be sure we were o.k. and after assuring her it would be smooth sailing we continued on our trip.

We made it another 25 miles to Georgia Exit 6 when I heard an unusual noise and I asked Pat, “What was that?” He assured me it was road debris about the time we noticed the temp gauge was pegged. Off the road at a truck stop, Pat put the hood up to inspect the belt which wasn’t there. Uh Oh. Fortunately Neil told me to put the belt we took off in the trunk, just in case.

Pat and Emily Skelly's 62 GT Hawk...Car cooled off and Pat’s checking out the car and after a few words, pulls out his cell phone and calls Jeff Rice for a trailer tow to Savannah. Turns out the bolt that holds the alternator and thermostat housing sheared in half and was still in the bracket. This allowed things to shift and tear up the belts.

Help is on the way. Jeff is headed down the road and Pat called our kids to come pick me up. He didn’t want me sitting at the truck stop with a broken car so they were also on the way. The truck stop workers offered us shelter from the sun and cool drinks but we decided to sit and wait by the broken down Studebaker. Pat was a little concerned because the Turkey Buzzards were circling the parking lot and made us feel like their next meal.

The kids pulled in and as much as I hated it, I left Pat sitting with the car. Well, our son decided the Tom Tom didn’t know what it was saying so we made a 30 mile trip and ended up where we started and looked to the left and Pat and Jeff were loading up the car. Onward to I-95 and Savannah.

After three bottle-neck stops on the interstate, we made it to Savannah after dark. Pat and Jeff were here about a half hour later. They off loaded the car, pulled it into the garage and much to my surprise, loaded up the Hawk frame that I’ve been <ahem> politely threatening to cut up, and away it went! From Daytona to Savannah it only took us 12 hours.

Thanks to Jeff Rice and the Thornton family and everyone who assisted us for your help and the time you took to see we arrived home safely. We’re now packing a tool box, with the blue hanky in case a windshield wiper blows off, and several belts, bolts etc. that we may need.

When you’re broken, have no fear, help is never far away. Keep your cell phones charged and numbers programmed and I assure you, someone will be there. We have a lot to be thankful for!