Timeline
A visual history of Shrock Brothers — from founding to legacy.
From their body shop in Coalport, Pennsylvania, David and Thomas Shrock built a business that earned the respect of Studebaker enthusiasts across the country. This timeline traces the key milestones of their journey — from the founding of Shrock Brothers in 1985 through over three decades of craftsmanship, recognition, and dedication to preserving Studebaker history.
Thomas Leo Shrock Jr Born
Thomas, the elder of the two brothers, was born in Pennsylvania.
Read about Thomas →David Leslie Shrock Born
David, the younger brother and partner in the family business, was born in Pennsylvania.
Read about David →Studebaker Closes South Bend Plant
Studebaker shut down its South Bend, Indiana factory — ending an era of American automobile manufacturing. The Studebaker legacy would go on to inspire generations of enthusiasts and collectors.
Last Studebaker Produced
The final Studebaker rolled off the assembly line in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada on March 16, 1966. With production ended, the preservation and restoration of existing vehicles became a mission for enthusiasts everywhere.
Shrock Brothers Founded
David and Thomas founded Shrock Brothers at their body shop at 3999 Tyrone Pike in Coalport, Pennsylvania. What began as a shared passion for Studebaker automobiles would grow into a nationally recognized business.
Company history →Early Recognition
The brothers began gaining attention in the Studebaker community for their craftsmanship. Their early work caught the eye of club newsletters and enthusiast publications.
View press clippings →Pewter Miniatures Line Established
The brothers developed their signature line of handcrafted pewter Studebaker miniatures. Working in 1:43, 1:55, 1:72, and HO scales, each model was meticulously cast and finished to capture authentic Studebaker detail.
Browse the collection →Reproduction Parts Manufacturing
Shrock Brothers expanded into manufacturing authentic reproduction parts for Studebaker vehicles — including knobs, trim pieces, rubber parts, running board covers, and more. They would eventually offer over 200 different parts.
View parts catalog →Growing National Presence
Multiple features in collector publications brought national visibility. The brothers became regular exhibitors at Studebaker meets and car shows throughout the region.
View press clippings →Website Launched
Shrock Brothers launched www.shrockbrothers.com — one of the earliest websites dedicated to Studebaker miniatures and parts. The site served as both a product catalog and information hub for the enthusiast community.
Browse the archive →Steering Wheel Remanufacturing
The brothers added steering wheel remanufacturing to their services — expertly restoring original Studebaker steering wheels, horn buttons, and horn emblems. Their meticulous process returned wheels to showroom condition.
View steering wheels →Scale Model Collection Grows
The miniature line continued to expand with new models across all four scales. The collection would eventually encompass over 77 unique designs covering Studebaker cars, trucks, and specialty vehicles.
Browse the collection →Featured in Toy Cars & Models
Shrock Brothers received extensive coverage in Toy Cars & Models magazine, one of the premier publications for die-cast and scale model collectors. They were also nominated for recognition in the magazine.
View press clippings →Featured in Hemmings Classic Cars
Coverage in Hemmings Classic Cars brought the brothers' work to an even wider audience of classic car enthusiasts and collectors nationwide.
View press clippings →Peak Press Coverage
The brothers enjoyed their most prolific year of media recognition, with 15 features across multiple publications including Toy Cars & Models, Turning Wheels, Hemmings, and collector newsletters.
View press clippings →Continued Recognition
Shrock Brothers continued to receive press coverage and recognition from the Studebaker community, with features in Turning Wheels and other enthusiast publications.
View press clippings →Business Closes
After 36 years of operation, Shrock Brothers officially closed. The brothers' legacy of craftsmanship — over 77 scale model designs, 237 reproduction parts, and countless restored steering wheels — stands as a testament to their dedication to Studebaker history.
The brothers →David Leslie Shrock Passes Away
David passed away on December 22, 2022, at his home at the age of 82. His meticulous attention to detail and dedication to preserving Studebaker history left an enduring mark on the collector community.
Read about David →Thomas Leo Shrock Jr Passes Away
Thomas passed away on August 10, 2025, at the age of 89. As the elder brother and a driving force behind the family business, his deep knowledge of Studebaker automobiles was central to everything Shrock Brothers created.
Read about Thomas →"When I am working on a problem, I never think about beauty but when I have finished, if the solution is not beautiful, I know it is wrong." — R. Buckminster Fuller