Black Monday - 50 years gone

[studemax]

50 years ago today Studebaker closed their South Bend plant, after making cars there since 1903. They opened in 1852 making wagons, and became the largest transportation company in the world. Studebaker was the only wagon maker to make the transition to automobile production successfully.They continued building cars in Canada until 1966. They still exist as Studebaker-Worthington, leasing office cleaning equipment and medical equipment.

[Loren]

I read South Bend was a really great place to work in the fifties/sixties...good camaraderie, good pay and benefits, nobody having to kill themselves working. Look where that got them.

[SuperBuickGuy]

the problem with cutting edge styling is sometimes you get cut

[OHC 6 Sprint]

Can you spot the Studebaker in this picture?



FWIW ... the Budweiser beer wagons that you see in commercials that are drawn by Clydesdales were made by Studebaker.

[studemax]

Most of those Conestoga wagons in the westerns? Studebakers.
What was the 20 mule team pulling in the old Borax commercials? Studebakers.

[DanStokes]

I had the privilege of meeting Ted Harbit. Great guy and a legend. He's been helping my buddy David with equipment and decisions for recommissioning the former Burke Brothers Avanti for LSR.

Damn shame about Studebaker.

Dan

[Beagle]

irony? We're discussing driving old cars, icy roads, and Studebakers today. I'm out on the icy roads to get some stuff to fix my old car and spot this:

[studemax]

Snazzy.

[SuperBuickGuy]

Can you spot the Studebaker in this picture?

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FWIW ... the Budweiser beer wagons that you see in commercials that are drawn by Clydesdales were made by Studebaker.

Studebaker made Clydesdales too? who knew?!!

[Barry Donovan]

to carry a name over to a car, that is special.

there is many significant overlaps, but to stay as one name.. more than luck.

I was just thinking overland (overlund?) for some reason.

Rigs or hauling groups are the oldest to keep the same people.. names of brands changed.

today they got kenworth and peterbilt in "paccar"..at least they kept a body appearance.

[NewEnglandRaceFan]

think their down fall is the designers..
I don't find any of their vehicles appealing.. the slant nose is ok. but that's not a "practical car" now or then..
almost like they and mopar shared ideas as the early 60's mopars are hard on the eyes also..

[studemax]

Are you kidding? Loewy was a great designer, and Studebaker's great strength was it's designing.

[NewEnglandRaceFan]

that's your opinion, I don't find any appealing.. sorry.. they all look bla..

[studemax]

that's your opinion, I don't find any appealing.. sorry.. they all look bla..

I suppose you like Pontiac Aztek's and Yugo's.

[NewEnglandRaceFan]

I suppose you like Pontiac Aztek's and Yugo's.

haha no,,
55 Pontiac, 77 cutlass, 58 chevy, etc.. the 'bakers look stoggie