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Paul Eccles and Rex Burr at the AGM
Hermen Van Der Brug from Holland is in the chair
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Studebaker History
Welcome to the world of Studebaker and specifically the very active part that Studebaker Owners Club UK is playing in ‘Preserving the Legacy’. Although it was always one of the little guys compared to Ford or General Motors, its history over a period of 114 years, was rightfully a proud one. Believe it or not, the money to start the business in 1852 had been earned by one of the five Studebaker brothers, who was nicknamed ‘wheelbarrow Johnny’! He sold wheelbarrows to the miners in California, during the ‘gold rush’, seeing a need and filling it! The five brothers set up their company in South Bend Indiana as blacksmiths. Business was good with thousands of families migrating westwards, needing reliable wagons to carry their goods. By the end of that century, Studebaker Manufacturing had become the largest wagon manufacturers in the world!
By then, times were changing. There was talk of such things as ‘horseless carriages’. With its sound engineering and body construction abilities, it was natural that Studebaker would become a maker of automobiles. In 1902, it placed its toe in the water, by constructing electric vehicles and two years later it added gasoline cars.
The 1920s were aptly named the ‘roaring twenties’, anything seemed possible. By the end of that decade, the ‘golden age’ seemed limitless, until the Wall Street crash blew it all away! Many small manufacturers, without back-up of sheer size, went to the wall. Studebaker barely made it, but by 1934, it was pulling itself up by its boot straps and ready to face the future. 1939, 1940 and 1941, were excellent years for the company and then another ‘calamity’, the 1939 war in Europe caught up with the USA.
Studebaker, like most engineering establishments, stepped up to do its part. It produced nearly 200,000 US 6x6 and 4x6 trucks, thousands of aircraft engines, and nearly 20,000 small tracked vehicles called ‘the Weasel’. In early 1947, it proclaimed itself ‘first by far with a post-war car’. It was first as it would be 1949 before the large makers were able to release their new models. By the early fifties, the ‘buyers market’ came about, with the end of the pent up demand that the war had caused. The car makers now had to work hard convincing Joe Public that he should buy their particular car over others. Although Studebaker was the largest of the so called ‘independents’, like them it realised that it would have to merge with another maker if it was to have a long term future. The grand name of Packard was the suitor in Studebaker’s case in 1954. For a number of reasons, the ‘marriage’ was not a success and by 1958, the last Packard rolled off the line as little more than an ‘extra deluxe’ Studebaker.
The following year, Studebaker stole a march on the ‘Big 3’, by releasing its new ‘compact’ car named the Lark, a year ahead of them. The respite was only temporary and the end of 1963 witnessed the closing of its doors in South Bend where it had been for 110 years. But it went out on a high note. It had just produced a sports car that is still remembered today, the Avanti. It then focussed its operations in Canada until finally closing its automotive doors in the spring of 1966 a truly sad end to a great legacy.
But all was not lost. ‘The Studebaker Drivers Club’ (commonly known as SDC) had been formed in 1962 with the blessing of Studebaker management. This club has grown to nearly 13,000 members internationally in 20 countries. ‘Studebaker Owners Club-UK’ has been proud to be one of its chapters since 1998.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do I need to currently own a Studebaker or one of its associated makes or intend to purchase one before I am entitled to join the club?
No! Just a general interest and appreciation of its unique history and products.
As SOC-UK is a chapter of Studebaker Drivers Club do I also need to be a member of that club?
No, it is not a requirement but is highly recommended. The club is also an excellent source of cars and trucks for sale should you wish to buy.
As Studebakers are not as common as Fords, Chryslers or General Motors vehicles, will I have difficulty sourcing parts if I do decide to buy a Studebaker?
No! Because Studebaker Drivers Club is such a large international organisation with many members requiring parts a number of companies have re-manufactured some of the more popular items required. Most Studebaker engineering sizes were the same as those used by most manufacturers at the time. Practical help to tackle restoration or general running problems is only a phone call or e-mail away. Many members have up to 40 years experience to give accurate answers to any question.
Does the club hold regular meetings for its members at least in the UK?
No, that is not possible because the members are spread out so widely. However, several do get together at different times of the year at general classic car shows. Our biggest gathering is in July when we attend the Pre50 AAC Rally of the Giants currently held in Knebworth Park, Hertfordshire. Here we have a club stand and usually about twelve Studebakers are in attendance.
