Dale’s Daily Data: Studebaker is Born

It was back during the Civil War when brothers Henry and Clement Studebaker started building wagons in their blacksmith shop in South Bend, Indiana.  Known for their quality, their company became the world's largest manufacturer of horse-drawn carriages.  Later they switched over to making cars, becoming one of the larger independent car builders.

During World War Two, Studebaker made the engines for the Flying Fortress B-17’s and built the amphibious Weasel landing vehicles while continuing to build cars with patriotic names like "The President," "The Champion" and "The Commander."  

After the war they had a tough time competing with the Big Three and continued to lose money.  They made a comeback in 1959.  While other companies were going for bigger cars, Studebaker introduced the compact Lark – many of them built in Hamilton, Ontario and they sold well for a while.   

They even built a car for the Indy 500.

But they couldn’t compete with the advertising budgets of Ford, GM and Chrysler.  After 114 years, the end came in 1966 when the last Studebaker rolled out. 

It was on this date in 1852 that the Studebaker Company was born.

SOURCE: Studebaker Museum website