Mr. Michael Skomoroh – Studebaker Dealer, Dryden, Ontario

              In 1942 Michael (Mike) Skomoroh and his wife Pauline, opened a new White Rose gas station and automobile repair shop in Dryden, Ontario,

midway between Winnipeg and Thunder Bay. Right after the Second World War, Skomoroh Motors began selling British Cars, consisting

of Morris automobiles and trucks. In the early 50’s they took on the Massey Ferguson line of farm equipment while dropping the Morris franchise.

Then in the mid 50’s Skomoroh Motors acquired the Willys-Jeep franchise and in 1958 they took on the Studebaker franchise. His son Ed bought his

first new car in 1958, a Silver Hawk at age 20 while Pauline always had a Hawk, her last one being a 1963 GT with a R2 engine. Ed also worked at his

dad’s dealership as parts & sales manager. They sold very few Hawks as their customers were money conscious and the Lark was the big seller,

Along with Trucks for postal delivery as they sold several fleet units to the Dryden Pulp & Paper company. They were 4 door larks and the reason

they were purchased over the Big 3, is that Studebaker at the time was the only manufacturer to sell transistorized ignition. These cars were used

by  middle management in the logging division and would be parked in the woods (no electricity) for 6-8 hours at temps of 20- 35 below in the winter.

They required cars that could start easily in below freezing temperatures. They also bought Champ pickups for the same reason. They were very satisfied with

the vehicle’s performance, the only down side was getting 5 heavily dressed men in a Lark or 3 big bushman in a Champ pickup. All these vehicles were

painted a special yellow by Studebaker. Mike continued to sell Studebakers through 1966 until its demise. He continued as an authorized Studebaker

parts and service dealer until 1970. At that time he discontinued selling MF, Jeep and took on the Honda line of ATV’s, Motorcycles and Automobiles.

It is believed that he was the first Honda dealer in Canada to sell MC and Autos under the same roof. Their son Ed exited  in 1970 to work for Arctic Cat

and later Polaris. Mike retired in the mid 80’s and the business was then managed by his son, Don. 

        Studebaker Made in Canada