Ian Graham – Dedicated Studebaker Mechanic & Owner
Ian with his 1937 Coupe Express at the 2012 South Bend Meet
Ian Graham’s first real experience with Studebaker started when he was just 13 yrs old starting in 1961 while working for his Dad, Roy Graham, at their Haydon, Ontario Family Garage. He did all sorts of odd jobs in preparing for what would become his lifelong career as an Automotive Mechanic. He acquired his first Studebaker at the young age of 15 yrs, a 1952 Hardtop Deluxe which his father told him he had to rebuild it which included all mechanics and bodywork if he ever expected to drive it. This also helped to ensure that he got some valuable experience while staying off the streets. He got his driver’s licence at 16 and would drive it to Port Hope High School which was the only local school that offered training in Automotive Mechanics. Back in those days Graham’s Garage was a good place to learn the trade as his father, Roy, was not one to wait for customers to come to Graham’s garage to possibly buy a Studebaker. During a normal day Roy was quite often out and about taking potential Customers on test drives or showing them all the latest features on a Studebaker. Graham’s garage sold over 100 Studebakers annually up until 1966 which meant a lot of Studebakers came back through the garage for warranty work or repairs.
Graham's Garage in Haydon, Ontario - Many Studebakers were maintained behind these garage doors
In 1967 he began his Automotive Mechanic Apprenticeship at his family garage. He also attended Centennial College in his quest to becoming a full – fledged Automotive Technician which included truck, coach, auto-body & collision certification by 1970. He has over the years worked on hundreds of Studebakers whether it was warranty work or keeping them on the road for owners that bought them from Graham’s Garage. Many keep them for many years not wanting to buy or own another brand until they were literally driven into the ground.
Over the last 55 years Ian has personally owned 14 Studebakers. In 1971 he was married to Cheryl, his wife of 47 years in a 1962 GT Hawk. This Studebaker had a custom Stroker engine which would leave many other so-called local fast cars in the dust. In 1972 he attended the first meeting of the Ontario Chapter SDC and was one of its founding members. He has been an SDC member ever since and has attended many SDC Meets over the years. . In 1978 he bought a 1937 Coupe Express from Bob Barr of Brampton who was an original Ontario Chapter SDC Member. It happened to an old Milk Truck originally from Farr’s Diary of Guelph, Ontario and it needed a full restoration. Cheryl indicated that it had only two seats and was unsuitable for their three sons and two adults so the next year he bought a 1946 Studebaker Coupe which was known as a double-dater since it had a rear backseat. He proceeded to mount the 1946 Coupe body on a 1965 Studebaker Frame with a 283 engine and over the years put on over 50,000 miles while driving it in many parts of eastern Canada and the United States. In fact it’s still a regular driver to this day being owned and driven by their son, Darren.
Ian Graham with his 1961 Hawk The Graham Family at the 2012 Studebaker Made in Canada Celebration
From 1967-1987 he worked for his father for 20 years as a mechanic and in 1987 he along with his sister, Rena, was able to acquire his father’s garage when Roy retired. He kept Graham’s garage open until he retired in 2013 and it’s a going concern right to this day. Ian is retired now but keeps himself busy working on his Studebakers and other family activities. In 2005 Ian had local artist Russ Gordon make a painting of Graham’s Garage which included many of his personal cars. He also arranged to get a limited number of prints made that have been sold to many Studebaker Enthusiasts from Alaska to California. He presently still owns his 1937 Coupe Express which was fully restored in 2005. He took it to its first Performance Custom Car show and won the Favourite Choice award. He also owns a superb 1961 Hawk and is presently restoring a 1948 Convertible. Ian has over the years owned and maintained countless Studebakers which have greatly contributed to Studebaker’s legacy during the past 52 years since it closed its door at the Hamilton Assembly Plant. Many Studebaker owners can be thankful that Ian decided to walk in his father’s footsteps and continue their efforts in keeping Studebakers alive and on the roads of Ontario.
Ian Graham beside a print of Graham's Garage which included many of his own personal Studebakers
Owning a Studebaker is a rite of passage for many Graham Family Members
Check out Les & Anthia Graham's 1966 Studebaker Wagonaire
Studebaker Made in Canada