Club History

The Ontario Chapter of the SDC was founded in 1972 with only 16 members mainly situated around the city of Toronto. Over the past 43 years membership has been up to 160 members but is presently at 80 Members in living in Ontario, Manitoba and New York State.  

Throughout the years the Ontario Chapter has put on numerous Studebaker Events. In 2005 we hosted the International SDC Crossroads Zone meet at Country Heritage Park near Milton, Ontario which had 80 Studebakers on display,  In 2007 we were front and centre in the History room as the feature marque at the 2007 Canadian International Autoshow (CIAS). We had 9 of our Chapter member’s cars on display along with other great Studebakers from the Hamilton Chapter and the Studebaker National Museum. In 2012 we hosted Studebaker Made in Canada in Belleville, Ontario to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the SDC and 40th anniversary of the Ontario Chapter. Over 72 Studebakers from Ontario & New York State were on display to help celebrate the Canadian Contribution to the Studebaker World. 

The Chapter hold events on a monthly basis to include dinners, tours, and our annual Studefest which was held in Brockville this year. The annual Maple Leaf tour has been a favourite Rally primarily held in Haliburton or Muskoka regions when the Maple Leafs are at their most colourful time in the Fall     Many Chapter members make regular trips to South Bend, Indiana, York Pa in the spring or Reedsville Pa in the Fall to track down that much-needed part or meet fellow Studebaker owners in a very friendly atmosphere. Every year the National SDC arranges to host their annual rally which is second to none. The upcoming 2015 rally is being held in the St. Louis, Missouri while in 2016 it is being held in Warwick, Rhode Island for the 52nd Annual rally.  In 2017 it will return to South Bend, Indiana. Visits to the Studebaker National Museum, Tippecanoe Place or Studebaker International are just a few of the great places to visit while in South Bend. With a great auto flea market, arranged tours and entertainment, it’s truly the event of the year to attend.

Just like any other SDC Chapter - the Ontario Chapter distributes its award-winning Bi-monthly newsletter "The Studebanner" to all its members. It contains many stories on our members, Tech Tips, Classified and all Chapter activities. Our website which you are browsing has loads of information which helps you make that Studebaker connection, help keep your “Cruiser” on the road or find that dream vehicle you have been looking for.

To sum it all up the Ontario Chapter encourages the sharing of technical information, the preservation of the unique corporate history, the restoration and driving of Studebaker vehicles, and most importantly, the fellowship of its members and their families. So if you are interested in Studebakers or a present owner then become a member, come out and have a fun time with a club that drives their antiques cars, not just look at 

Will Norton

President

Ontario Chapter SDC