Now The Big Three - Studebaker Made It Four
Studebaker, better known as one of the largest manufacturers of horse back drawn vehicles, began producing wagons at the blacksmith shop of Henry and Clem Studebaker in 1852. However, the company started producing electric automobile in 1902 then quickly changed to gasoline-powered cars. Still the merit of their electric car products were of such high caliber that Thomas Edison purchased factory release product number # 2. Studebaker was famous in manufacturing class and reliable cars that stand out in creating new speed records. The company joined with Piece-Arrow then experienced annihilation in 1933, but the company survived with the released of 1930s Depression to the market. Into the 1950's the auto firm survived yet again an automotive industry corporate remake being purchased and integrated into the mighty motorcar engineering and design innovator - The Packard Motor Company of Detroit Michigan.
How was it that this simple "wagon maker", well known and respected who actually made Abraham Lincolns horse drawn wagon entered the automotive field? Studebaker was an early innovator experimenting, producing and selling electric and later gasoline powered cars. Indeed Tomas Alva Edison himself (read the well known American innovator and inventor who laid the foundation for the great General Electric GE Company of our day), purchased the second vehicle built a produced by Studebaker. Studebaker lived on, kept innovating, and was known for its reputation of well designed, innovative and reliable American built vehicles. Studebaker buffs are a loyal and avid clan. Apparently it is legend that a Studebaker auto "Graveyard" exists somewhere in rural Manitoba which has never been found. Though this mythical resting place has never been found more than one hunting party from Winnipeg goes out each summer driving season searching for it again and again. What a determined lot these vintage auto collectors are.
Studebaker survived the lean economic times of the 1930's ,merging with the luxury US automaker Piece-Arrow , during this troubled economic time period of the "Great Depression". Perhaps such spunkiness , stick to it greatness as well as determination might be a business model that the North American based auto industry could take great lessons from in the current shakeup , shakedown and troubled times of the North American auto industry. Yet although other major domestic US auto makers such as Ford, GM & Chrysler survived its hard to see how the lookalike products whether it be a Ford Escape driving on Winnipeg & Manitoba roads and highways differs much in appearance and styling than similar Chevrolet , Buick or Chrysler/Dodge SUV Sport Utility Crossovers as well as other vehicles. Its a shame. On top of that most associate former "American Motors" ,( now merged with Chrysler Chryco), with Rambler products not with the rich legacies of Packard, Piece Arrow & Studebakers.
Studebaker cars were famous to be "coming or going cars." The front to rear were alike that humorist couldn't identify the front from the back. The company released their three-box post war model in 1949. They were the Land Cruiser, and Commander. Land Cruiser and Commander had several features of the Champion models such as front fenders, extended rear door, longer wheelbase and hood. Studebaker models had some features of the prewar designs. The 2.8 liter model has an 80 horsepower six-cylinder engine that was used by the . Meanwhile, the 3.7 Liter Commander/Land Cruiser was released in the early 1930s. Studebaker designs had not changed until the release of "bullet nose" models in 1950. However, other car manufacturers outrun the company's style during the same year. Studebaker had some outstanding models such as Hawk series and Avanti with their advanced styling, fiberglass bodies, and such introduced such innovative features as safer faster "disc brakes", as well as optional "turbocharged" turbo engines. But they experienced extreme difficulty because of several independent car producers and lost its fame and luster in 1966, culminating in the closure of their Canadian auto assembly in the Canadian steel town of Hamilton, Ontario.
Just what happened to this wonderful American institution in the transportation industries , that had such a rich , vibrant and varied set of histories? Studebaker just was bleeding red ink. Company losses just never seemed to end in the 1950's. Reasons included high labor costs - wages were the highest in the US auto industry, and low sales due to a price war between G.M. & Ford. The firm was merged with the mighty Packard Company. Yet even the renown and profitability of this highest of end , lucrative brand were not enough to stem the flow of company financial losses. A yet larger merger was constructed - whose corporate brand was American Motors & later AMC. AMC - best known now not for its "Rambler" series of compact cars but also the Jeep line has been absorbed as part of Chrysler and the Chrysler Group LLC. Who knows in 2013 and future years , with marketing emphasis on well earned retro vehicles and badging we may see the revival of nameplates such as Studebaker & even Packard back on American & Canadian roads and highways.
How was it that this simple "wagon maker", well known and respected who actually made Abraham Lincolns horse drawn wagon entered the automotive field? Studebaker was an early innovator experimenting, producing and selling electric and later gasoline powered cars. Indeed Tomas Alva Edison himself (read the well known American innovator and inventor who laid the foundation for the great General Electric GE Company of our day), purchased the second vehicle built a produced by Studebaker. Studebaker lived on, kept innovating, and was known for its reputation of well designed, innovative and reliable American built vehicles. Studebaker buffs are a loyal and avid clan. Apparently it is legend that a Studebaker auto "Graveyard" exists somewhere in rural Manitoba which has never been found. Though this mythical resting place has never been found more than one hunting party from Winnipeg goes out each summer driving season searching for it again and again. What a determined lot these vintage auto collectors are.
Studebaker survived the lean economic times of the 1930's ,merging with the luxury US automaker Piece-Arrow , during this troubled economic time period of the "Great Depression". Perhaps such spunkiness , stick to it greatness as well as determination might be a business model that the North American based auto industry could take great lessons from in the current shakeup , shakedown and troubled times of the North American auto industry. Yet although other major domestic US auto makers such as Ford, GM & Chrysler survived its hard to see how the lookalike products whether it be a Ford Escape driving on Winnipeg & Manitoba roads and highways differs much in appearance and styling than similar Chevrolet , Buick or Chrysler/Dodge SUV Sport Utility Crossovers as well as other vehicles. Its a shame. On top of that most associate former "American Motors" ,( now merged with Chrysler Chryco), with Rambler products not with the rich legacies of Packard, Piece Arrow & Studebakers.
Studebaker cars were famous to be "coming or going cars." The front to rear were alike that humorist couldn't identify the front from the back. The company released their three-box post war model in 1949. They were the Land Cruiser, and Commander. Land Cruiser and Commander had several features of the Champion models such as front fenders, extended rear door, longer wheelbase and hood. Studebaker models had some features of the prewar designs. The 2.8 liter model has an 80 horsepower six-cylinder engine that was used by the . Meanwhile, the 3.7 Liter Commander/Land Cruiser was released in the early 1930s. Studebaker designs had not changed until the release of "bullet nose" models in 1950. However, other car manufacturers outrun the company's style during the same year. Studebaker had some outstanding models such as Hawk series and Avanti with their advanced styling, fiberglass bodies, and such introduced such innovative features as safer faster "disc brakes", as well as optional "turbocharged" turbo engines. But they experienced extreme difficulty because of several independent car producers and lost its fame and luster in 1966, culminating in the closure of their Canadian auto assembly in the Canadian steel town of Hamilton, Ontario.
Just what happened to this wonderful American institution in the transportation industries , that had such a rich , vibrant and varied set of histories? Studebaker just was bleeding red ink. Company losses just never seemed to end in the 1950's. Reasons included high labor costs - wages were the highest in the US auto industry, and low sales due to a price war between G.M. & Ford. The firm was merged with the mighty Packard Company. Yet even the renown and profitability of this highest of end , lucrative brand were not enough to stem the flow of company financial losses. A yet larger merger was constructed - whose corporate brand was American Motors & later AMC. AMC - best known now not for its "Rambler" series of compact cars but also the Jeep line has been absorbed as part of Chrysler and the Chrysler Group LLC. Who knows in 2013 and future years , with marketing emphasis on well earned retro vehicles and badging we may see the revival of nameplates such as Studebaker & even Packard back on American & Canadian roads and highways.
About the Author:
Recognized as distinctive Always gaining top dollar at vintage auto auctions the Lark, in particular, was based on existing parts to the degree that it even utilized the central body section of the company's 1953-58 cars, but was a clever enough design to be popular in its first year, selling over 130,000 units and delivering a $28.6 million profit to the automaker.
publié par Unknown @ 12:27
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