"They were ahead of their time in styling," Masopust said.

The couple traded their first Studebaker, owning a succession of cars that weren't nearly as satisfactory. After many years without one, the couple decided they wanted another of the stylish cars built in South Bend. The last new Studebaker had rolled off the line in 1966 but currently thousands are still being driven and maintained by enthusiasts around the world.

"On the Internet I found the '55 President we have today. It was in Texas and the fellow drove it up here to us," Masopust said. He has modified the President to make it easier to drive and more comfortable.

"I didn't want to herd it down the road, so it has power steering now." Masopust located a 1956 Studebaker power steering kit in Houston which would fit his model.

"I had to take the whole left front fender off and not one bolt broke when it was removed," he said. "Now it's easy to drive and has a solid feel on the road." A friend gave him a Fifties-era air conditioner that's mounted under the dash.

He removed emission control equipment that had been installed sometime when the old car had been registered in California. "It looked like they had chopped holes in the rocker arm covers so they had to be replaced." Masopust installed new interior upholstery and floor coverings.

"I replaced the engine head gaskets, rings and bearings because one spark plug kept fouling out but it didn't need a major overhaul," he said. The power plant is a 259 cubic inch V-8 which was the smaller of two motors available for the President.

Unlike many of the lower production auto companies, Studebaker manufactured their own engines. Early on they were known for engineering innovation such as the use of molybdenum steel and advanced six-cylinder design.

As with most American autos, even those that haven't been produced for decades, obtaining parts is not a problem. Searching via the Internet has made the task even easier and more efficient.

Masopust's car still has the original 3-speed automatic Borg Warner transmission. That company is celebrating a century of drive train component manufacturing this year.

The President's old thick wire 6-volt electrical system was converted to modern and all the bulbs replaced. His radio doesn't work but it's the factory original and has Studebaker printed in cool distinctive script across the face.

"It's just for looks, we don't listen to the radio in any of our cars," Masopust said. This was surprising from a man who played cornet in his own combo back in the day ("Masopust Polka Band, Let's Dance").

"Cars today are a far cry from this Studebaker," Masopust said. He cited technological improvements in handling, safety and fuel economy that younger drivers take for granted. Man-handling a car without power steering around corners while text messaging is impossible, kids.

"Our Studebaker is just a fine old car. It rides heavy and good," he said. And it certainly wasn't designed or built by General Hideki Tojo's ancestors.