Al & Wilma Jordan

Al, Wilma and their Dog "Quasi" attending of our Luncheons at the Two Loons in Madoc, Ontario

On the 2nd of November 2019 at our annual General Meeting held in Belleville Ontario we honoured Al & Wilma Jordan as

our 2019 Honourees for the Studebaker Made in Canada Plaque. They have been around Studebakers for over 50 years,

owning & maintaining their Studebakers while driving them to many SDC Meets as far away as Arizona and Spokane

Washington to name afew places.  Their stories in the "Studebanner" our Chapter Newsletter were well-written and received while

greatly promoting the hobby of owning and maintaining Studebakers. They were a regular fixture at our Chapter Events

for the past 35+ years and usually were the winners of the farthest-distance award.  They have greatly enriched our Chapter

and the Canadian Studebaker Legacy through their dedication and friendship with many of their fellow SDC members

here in Ontario, other parts of Canada and in the USA.  It was with great sadness that one of our Honourees was not

with us to help celebrate this occasion as Al passed away on March 18th, 2019. He would of proud of this award as it

was justly deserved.  Just read on about his and Wilma's contributions over the many years they helped keep the Studebaker

flame burning in owning and driving their Studebakers across North America. 

Alan Jordan “Studebaker Mechanic on Duty”

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       By Will Norton

                Recently on March 18^th one of our long-serving Chapter members, Al Jordan of Smiths Falls suddenly passed away. 

Al was well-known in the Ontario Chapter and by many  others in the SDC.  He was a self-trained Master Mechanic who knew Studebakers

inside and out while helping many SDC members in friends over the past 50+ years that he has been involved with our favourite Marque.

His wife Wilma was right there by his side whether it was sandblasting parts, block sanding a Studebaker that needed a paint-job or just passing

wrenches when Al was working on one of his many Studebakers over the years. He never accepted second best or just a patch job and all of his

Studebakers that he had on the road were in tiptop condition and a real credit to his mechanical and restoration skills.

Al Jordan working on his 1952 Starlight Coupe at the 2004 SDC Meet in Charlotte, NC

                To show you what sort of man he was I first met Al & Wilma when I first joined the Ontario Chapter in 1999. Always friendly and

willing to share his vast knowledge was his trademark.  Back in 2005 my son, Eric bought a 1959 Lark project that needed a total new engine

as the stock one was seized and would cost too much to rebuild.  I tracked down a replacement in Toronto and I know who contact

to check it out, none other than Al Jordan. Al, Eric and I drove down to Toronto and found out that the motor had been previously

rebuilt six years ago.  Al took an initial look at it and gave it a thumbs up.  We paid $250 for the motor which was a steal and Al took it

back to his garage to rip it apart and check it out to ensure it was assembled properly. After acouple weeks he checked it out and found it had

been not assembled properly.  He quickly fixed the problems and got the motor back down to Eric’s place to where we installed it in the 1959

Lark. After tracking down a starter we got it going and although we had some initials problems matching a 1955 motor to a 1959

Transmission the motor now runs like a Swiss watch.  All through this effort Al was extremely helpful pointing us in the right direction

if we had a problem.  He wouldn’t accept any real money for his time and efforts and we are forever grateful for his help in getting

Eric’s 1959 Lark on the road.    Al & Wilma have owned over 8 Studebakers over the years to include a 1951 Bullet-nose, three 1952

Studebakers (Commander, Starlight Coupe and Champion). 1962 GT Hawk, 1963 Daytona Convertible, 1963 Avanti along with a

1953 Studebaker which he raced back in the 1960s at Capital City Speedway in Ottawa.  

Al showing a poster of him beside his 1953 Studebaker Stock Car he raced in 1969 at Capital City Speedway in Ottawa

                Over the past 30+ years Al & Wilma were very active SDC members who regularly attended Ontario Chapter events and countless

International SDC Meets in the US while driving one of their Studebakers.  The last trip was in 2017 to attend the International SDC Meet in

South Bend in their 1952 Customized Starlight Coupe.  Al was a very special person who lived life to the fullest.  Even when faced

with debilitating health problems over the past 3 years,  Al continued to enjoy  working on one of his Studebakers. He was a

“Studebaker Mechanic on Duty” to the very end.  Al will be deeply missed but greatly remembered for his kind heart and extremely friendly

manner.  Our deepest condolences go out to Wilma, their daughter Erin (Bill) Ing and his grandchildren, Jordan, Laura, and Samuel Ing

along with all other members of the Jordan family.   

Over the Years

 Al & Wilma Jordan being presented the 2018 Roy Graham Award                                                                            Al Jordan "The Piano Man"    

Wilma was presented the 2011 Lloyd Crowdis award                                                                    Al liked all of his Studebakers to have a 289 with lots of muscle  

Al & Wilma's Studebakers on display at their home in Smiths Falls                                     Rolly Larmour and Al stripping a 1963 GT Hawk before it being crushed

Check out this link to 1952 Studebaker Starlight Coupe

Studebaker Made in Canada