Studebaker

Studebaker Corporation was an American manufacturer known for wagons, carriages, and later automobiles, based in South Bend, Indiana. Founded in 1852 as Studebaker Brothers Manufacturing Company by Clement Studebaker and John M. Studebaker, it became one of the largest wagon makers in the United States and supplied vehicles for the U.S. Army during the Civil War before expanding into civilian markets.

In the early 20th century Studebaker shifted into automobile production, establishing an automobile division in 1902 and building a range of passenger cars and trucks. The company produced both electric and gasoline-powered vehicles in its early years and gradually established a reputation for durability and practical design that carried into the postwar era.

During the 1950s Studebaker gained notoriety for distinctive styling, including the aerodynamic lines and notable “bullet-nose” look on several models developed under designer Raymond Loewy. The company faced intense market competition and financial pressures as the automotive industry consolidated.

In 1954 Studebaker merged with Packard to form the Studebaker-Packard Corporation, a move intended to stabilize finances but which ultimately did not reverse ongoing difficulties. Packard-branded cars were phased out by the late 1950s, and Studebaker’s independent automobile operations continued for a few more years.

The early 1960s brought further challenges, though the company introduced the Avanti, a fiberglass-bodied, advanced-looking coupe that remains a notable design landmark. U.S. automobile production effectively ended in 1963, with the South Bend plant closing and Studebaker transitioning away from passenger cars.

Today, Studebaker is remembered for its long wagon-making heritage, its place in American automotive history, and its enduring influence on car design, with classic models still sought by collectors and enthusiasts.