Studebaker

Studebaker was one of the most iconic American car brands, originating in 1852 and producing its last car in 1966. What began as a family business in South Bend, Indiana, grew into a pioneer in the automotive industry, known for its innovative designs, engineering performance, and bold style.

History of Studebaker

Studebaker was one of the largest car manufacturers in the United States. Around 1897, they began experimenting with electric cars, after which they started manufacturing bodies for Electric Vehicle. From 1902, they began producing electric cars themselves. As early as around 1904, they began a collaboration with Garford, which resulted in Studebaker-Garford.

Around 1909, a disagreement arose with Garford, and the company partnered with EMF. This firm was to build the entire car and sell it through dealers. This, too, proved unsuccessful, and the company was acquired. From then on, the cars were sold under the Studebaker name, just like the electric cars. Electric cars were manufactured until 1912. In the interim, the brand had produced cars for Tincher. Coachbuilding continued until 1919; by that time, the brand had a line of six-cylinder cars, trucks, buses, and even locomotives in production.

Studebaker Commander Starlight with the typical nose

In 1925, a kind of test track was established, which exists to this day, and the Erskine brand was founded, named after technical director Erskine. Around 1929, the American automaker had factories in South Bend, where the firm was founded, Detroit, and in Canada. By then, the brand had also Pierce Arrow taken over. Due to the economic crisis, the brand ran into serious trouble and underwent a major reorganization. Pierce-Arrow was sold, Erskine committed suicide, and all production activity was halted. An attempt was made to introduce a cheaper model as the Rockne.

After the Second World War

After the Second World War, the brand managed to introduce a new model as one of the first automobile manufacturers in America, but the management subsequently missed the boat. In the 1950s, the brand merged with Packard And although Packard was financially stronger, this did not turn out well, as this merger could not save either brand, and the last car rolled off the assembly line in 1967. However, a Studebaker model, the Avanti, was built by a dealer for a time. Studebaker itself also had non-automotive factories, and parts of those still exist today. The test track is owned by a company acquired by Bosch and Bendix and has become a leisure park.

The 1950s marked the peak of Studebaker's influence on the automotive industry. Under the leadership of designer Raymond Loewy, the company introduced the Starliner and Starlight coupes, which were known for their streamlined designs and innovative styling elements. The Starliner was praised for its aerodynamic design and became a symbol of post-war American style.
In 1956, the Golden Hawk was introduced, a powerful coupe with a supercharged V8 engine that excelled in performance and speed. The model was a precursor to the later muscle cars of the 1960s.

Popular Models: From Lark to Avanti

Studebaker's range varied from practical family cars to sporty coupes:

• Lark (1959–1966): A compact and affordable car that was popular with families and offered a wide range of body styles.
• Avanti (1962–1963): A high-performance luxury coupe that was praised for its advanced design and performance. The model broke 29 speed records on the Bonneville Salt Flats.
• Golden Hawk (1956–1958): A powerful coupe with a supercharged V8 engine that excelled in performance and speed.
• Wagonaire (1963–1964): A station wagon with a unique sliding roof, designed by Brooks Stevens, which allowed for the transport of taller loads.

The End of an Era

By the early 1960s, Studebaker began to experience financial difficulties. In 1963, it closed its factory in South Bend and moved production to Hamilton, Ontario. In 1966, the last Studebaker was produced, bringing an end to an era of American automotive history.