What a lady!
Another Visit with a Parting Shot
We ran this photo, which had come to us from the Studebaker National Museum archives, as the “Parting Shot” in Issue 156,
Fall/Winter 2011. It shows noted journalist and auto racer Denise McCluggage behind the wheel of a 1963 Avanti.
Just recently we learned of an internet site called Cars Yeah (CarsYeah.com) that interviews five noted and notable automotive
personalities each week and posts those interviews for any and all to hear. To date the site’s interviewees are approaching
900! No surprise, McCluggage is one of them. What was surprising was the Avanti connection posted there that had been
written and posted just a few days following Denise McCluggage’s passing, at age 88, in May of 2015.
What a lady! What a loss. I never failed to read her columns.
During one of the Mexican Gran Prix events (1964), when Mark Dull (RIP), Pat McGarity and I (and, our wives!)
had paddock passes given us by Jack Brabham, Denise McCluggage and a friend drove up in a new supercharged
Studebaker Avanti.
Flaunting our “elevated” positions in Mexico with American Motors/Jeep (me) and Ford (Pat and Mark), we talked her
out of the keys and took turns driving the wheels off of it playing “Stoplight Challenge” outside of the track in downtown
Mexico City traffic.
Upon returning the car, (much later than promised and almost out of gas), she was totally pissed, so we really didn’t get
to socialize much.
Pat and I can say, however, we had the privilege of meeting her.
Tex Guthrie
Scottsdale, Arizona
Thanks to Cars Yeah owner/moderator Mark Greene for granting us permission to share Mr. Guthrie’s note with you. We
also commend you to visit CarsYeah.com yourself. In addition to the interview with Denise McCluggage, recorded several
years prior to her passing, you’ll find a chat with Studebaker National Museum archivist Andrew Beckman. And as you
explore the site you’ll find names of others whose interviews you’ll want to hear too. (hvh)