Page 9 - EACC

EACC Member Car Profiles By Brian Zahorodniuk
1926 Studebaker Big Six EP Roadster Reprinted from 2019

The EACC is home to hundreds of cars of many makes and models, Why not showcase your car here and share it and the
backstory with the club. We encourage all cars whether a halted restoration or a daily driver, especially cars that are rarely
seen. Tell us the story of your car, with personalized photos, how it came to be, journeys taken and anything else anecdotal.
Many long-time EACC club members will recognize
this 1926 Studebaker Big Six EP Roadster right away. My
father, Mike Zahorodniuk , did the work bringing it back
to life from a literal pile of scrap over a period of 27 years.
I remember Dad having a close friend in the 1960’s
who was always buying old cars, fixing, and reselling them.
He always had some very interesting old cars and Dad
helped with a 1932 Packard that got him wondering whether
the 1926 Studebaker Roadster in the old farming communi-
ty was still there. It was purchased by a serviceman in 1946
in Edmonton and brought to the farming community of Culp
in the Peace Country.
Dad remembered the car’s size and style and had
always liked it. A phone call confirmed that the remnants
were scattered on 3 quarter sections and were about to be
The remains of the 1926 Studebaker Big six EP Roadster , hauled away as scrap. He purchased the remains for $25.00
Located in the community of Culp , near Peace River, AB. in 1970 and at 12 years old I went with him on the first trip
to start bringing the pieces home. He started looking for
parts through the Studebaker Driver’s Club as well as the
local Studebaker club. Lots of letters written and long dis-
tance phone calls made in a time when there was no inter-
net. He was able to track down a parts car in Red Deer that
provided him with a big six engine, which he rebuilt, and a
good drive train. Many parts were just not available and he
was fortunate to have access to the machine shop at the
company he worked for to replicate what he couldn’t find.
He also became friends with Bob from Idaho, who
had a running 26 roadster. He was gracious enough to dis-
mantle and ship parts to Dad to use as template to machine
what he needed. He finished the car in 1997, shortly before
my wife Carol and I got married. The Studebaker was taste-
fully decorated and was used as our wedding car. Dad was
our chauffeur and we road in the rumble seat.
Dad was a long-time member of the Edmonton
Mike Zahorodniuk, who served on the EACC executive , test Antique Car Club and was able to enjoy the car for 16 years
driving the Studebaker as it nears the frame up restoration. before getting sick in 2013 and passing away in June, 2014.
After his passing there was some uncertainty as to
the fate of the car. My wife and I realized that we could not
let the Studebaker leave the family and made the decision to
take on the responsibility of caring for it ourselves. In De-
cember 2015, we became members of the club and started
planning towards getting the Studebaker back on the road.
After almost three years of sitting in a heated garage, I took
on the daunting task of getting the car up and running again.
With the limited understanding I had from accompanying
Dad to club events in his later years I set out to start the car
in the spring of 2016.

The 1926 Studebaker completely restored, out for a special occasion.

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