Monday, 17 June 2013

Vintage Studebaker Vehicles - A Find On Craigslist & the Winnipeg Free Press

By Henlow Tolcross


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.

Studebaker released a leaner and lighter version of full-sized car in 1939, called "Champion." However, the company contributed to the Second World War. The war did not affect their automobile production but they were able to manufactured prewar models then developing their new postwar designs. Studebaker employed Raymond Loewy, in which he was supported by Virgil Exner to conceptualize the new postwar car design. In 1947, Studebaker released the Loewy-Exner model. It was noticeable for its flat flanks, enclosed body, built-in fenders, and extraordinary trunk outline combined to form "three-box design." The company also released Starlight, an innovative model that has a rear window enclosed from door to door.

Industrial designer Raymond Loewy, known as the principal designer of the original Champion, joined Studebaker to design a new postwar car. He was assisted by Virgil Exner who was the styling head of Studebaker. The company launched its 1947 Loewy models after the war. The 1947 Loewy-Exner Studebaker design was remarkable for its flat flanks, covered body, incorporated fenders, and exceptional trunk outline joined to form "three-box design." However, the premier American automotive styling houses ' distinctive Starlight model was a ground-breaking model. It has a rear window enclosed from door to door to establish its roof floating above it.

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, Studebaker Champion model 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:



No comments:

Post a Comment