Studebaker was a wagon and automobile manufacturer with its headquarters in South Bend, Indiana, which grew to become the world’s largest manufacturer of horse-drawn vehicles and an automobile leader. Studebaker Brothers Manufacturing Company was originally a coachbuilder, building wagons, buggies, carriages, and harnesses. The firm was incorporated in 1868 as the Studebaker Brothers Manufacturing Company.
In 1902 Studebaker entered the automotive business with electric vehicles, which were followed in 1904 by gasoline vehicles, all sold as the Studebaker Automobile Company. It operated its automotive division in partnership with the Garford Company of Elyria, Ohio until 1911, then with E-M-F and Flanders Automobile. Studebaker produced its first gasoline automobiles fully in August 1912. During the next 50 years, the company built a reputation for quality, durability, and reliability. Despite a failed merger with Packard (the Studebaker-Packard Corporation) in 1954, the name Studebaker was restored in 1962, but the South Bend plant ceased automobile production on December 20, 1963, and the last Studebaker automobile rolled off the assembly line on Saint Patrick’s Day, March 17, 1966, in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
Studebaker remained an independent manufacturer until it merged with Wagner Electric in May 1967 and then Worthington Corporation in November 1967. Below are some stunning vintage photos of people posing with their Studebaker cars from Vintage Cars & People.
