Studebaker National Museum
My youngest son Alex and I went on an extended father-son road trip this summer which included a stop at the Studebaker National Museum in South Bend, Indiana. The Museum presents the story of Studebaker, from its origins as the country's largest manufacturer of horse-drawn vehicles, through its transition to the "horseless carriage" business, all the way to its valiant last stand as an independent carmaker in the early 1960s. The collection covers that history thoroughly, with examples of Studebaker vehicles ranging from a
Conestoga wagon to an Avanti II.
I would have enjoyed the Museum greatly if it had just been Alex and I, but we were extremely fortunate to be accompanied by my fellow Car Lust contributor Virgil M. Exner, Jr. Mr. Exner and his famous father both worked for Studebaker at various times in their careers--and if one of them didn't have a hand in designing a particular car in the collection, Mr. Exner at least knew the people who did! Needless to say, having him with us made the experience even richer.
So let's start the tour.
This 1964 Gran Turismo Hawk was parked outside the Museum.
The first floor gallery covers the period from the founding of Studebaker to just before World War II.
This 1855 Conestoga wagon is the oldest surviving Studebaker vehicle. It was available with an optional six-oxpower drivetrain for off-roading and heavy duty applications.
The collection of horse-drawn vehicles includes three Presidential carriages. This one was used by Ulysses S. Grant.
Studebaker got into the "horseless carriage" business initially by marketing cars built by the Everitt-Metzker-Flanders Company of Detroit, which Studebaker eventually acquired. These cars were sold under the "E-M-F" and "Flanders" brand names until 1913, and as "Studebakers" thereafter. This is a 1910 E-M-F.
This beautiful '37 Phaeton 1935 Commander Roadster is one of Mr. Exner's particular favorites. You can see why.
Go up the steps past the giant LARK sign to continue the tour. The sign came from Nathan Altman's dealership in South Bend. Mr. Altman later founded Avanti Motors, making him one of my heroes.
This '47 Champion in the upstairs gallery was styled by Virgil M. Exner, Sr.
Here's the car I most wanted to see--the 1953 Starliner. I've been a fan of this car ever since I built an AMT kit model of it at age twelve.
The styling was done by Robert Bourke of Raymond Loewy's design studio, but attributed to Loewy himself in advertising and other official pronouncements because he was better known to the public. As a result, the Starliner and the very similar Starlight are often referred to as the "Loewy coupes."
Sophisticated and timeless: give it a modern drivetrain, a few cupholders, and an iPod adapter, and you could sell it as a 2010 model.
The 1956-64 Hawks were derived from the Loewy coupes--they received a "radiator" grille and other styling tweaks, including tail fins for a few years. I prefer the cleaner look of the 1953-54 original, but the Hawks do have their own particularly jazzy kind of charm. Three of them are displayed in a simulated car-hop restaurant.
This 1956 President sedan exemplifies the loaf-of-bread-with-headlights look of the mid Fifties.
One of the few non-Studebakers in the collection is the dramatic 1956 Packard Predictor show car.
Here we see the record-setting supercharged terror-of-the-Bonneville-salt-flats '63 Avanti.
The Museum is hosting a special exhibit of Harley-Davidsons through March of 2010, which is why you see so many motorcycles in some of these photos.
In the basement, there's a display of military vehicles, including some Studebaker army wagons and this M29 Weasel amphibious tractor.
This is also the location of the "open storage" area, which holds cars that are awaiting restoration, or have been rotated out of the main display area to make room for other things. The ones on the top level, like this prewar Champion, are a little hard to see.
This is also where you'll find some quirky non-production cars like this experimental Lark with a rear-mounted Porsche engine:
This 1963 prototype open-bed commercial truck caught my fancy. The windshield is canted slightly forward at the top; otherwise, it's pretty much just a collection of flat panels meeting at 90-degree angles. The extreme square-ness gives it a certain goofy yet functional charm, and, as Mr. Exner observed, the production tooling would have been dirt cheap.
The Studebaker National Museum, at 201 South Chapin Street in South Bend, is open from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm daily, except holidays. It's co-located with the Northern Indiana Center For History, which is well worth a visit in itself.
--Cookie the Dog's Owner
Paul on July 28, 2009 at 07:01 AM
I visited the Studebaker National Museum in 2007 with my then 12 year old son and would recommend it to anyone interested in cars. I particularly concur with the sentiments expressed toward the 1953 "Bourke/Loewy" coupes. My earliest memory of any car, other than the back seat of my father's '57 Fairlane, is of a '53 or '54 Starliner. I couldn't have been more than three years old at the time when my father parked our Fairlane next to a Starliner. That Starliner had the same impact on me as if we had parked next to the star cruiser from "Forbidden Planet". Somehow I still feel that way 50 years later. It is still my personal first by far in a post war car for exterior styling.
John B on July 28, 2009 at 09:54 AM
Just a note: The Museum is supported by the 12,000 members of the Studebaker drivers Club as well as the Avanti Owners Association International.
Club chapeters restore Museum cars and help with displays.
The Museum also provides copies of the original factory build orders so owners can research their vehicles original equipment.
I don't think you'll find better cooperation between a club and museum anywhere in the car world.
Mochi Mochi on July 28, 2009 at 01:23 PM
I want that 63 open-bed commercial truck. That thing looks amazing. Great article Cookie.
Cookie the Dog's Owner on July 28, 2009 at 01:50 PM
Mochi, here's a better photo of that truck: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mazdamiata/1114122070/
Mochi Mochi on July 28, 2009 at 02:28 PM
Thanks Cookie! I want that truck so much. It's perfect. Especially nice that "Studebaker" is set in Helvetica 75_Bold across the grill. Nice touch of modernism. And it differentiates from the traditional Studebaker logo font with a clean function only style that matches the purposeful blunt cut function driven design of the truck.
Stogie on July 28, 2009 at 04:35 PM
Beautiful cars! I especially love the 1953 Starliner. What beautiful lines! Modern cars are so darn ugly. It was great seeing what automotive beauty once existed. Thanks for this.
not really a car guy on July 28, 2009 at 05:07 PM
Studebaker was way ahead of its time--right down to the UAW bankrupting them.
Richard on July 28, 2009 at 05:38 PM
Studebaker made some of the most forward-looking, beautiful cars ever. And it wasn't the UAW as much as the nationwide steel workers strike of '62 that doomed this maker of great cars. A Studebaker Hawk is on my dream list of cars, but I wouldn't turn down any of them if the chance came my way.
Choey on July 28, 2009 at 06:04 PM
No Avanti? Seems like a big oversight...
Dennis dunn on July 28, 2009 at 06:56 PM
We had a 1950 my great love a 1953 that I drove in every state in the union. It is now owned
by a young fellow here in Indiana. It has been restored 3 times. Have personal letter from
Raymond Loewy as to color he delivered car.
Also had several other 1953s and Gran Turismo Hawk, and a number of Larks.
37 year a member SDC. Many good stories to tell about driving a Studebaker.
Love to see the 1953 car with new drive train etc. Best looking car ever.
DDD
That Car Guy on July 28, 2009 at 08:34 PM
First and foremost, Cookie, I believe this may be the best EVER Car Lust post. Amazing photos, great narration, and the assistance of Mr. Exner no doubt made this a once-in-a-lifetime event. I'm glad at least one other family member got to see it, too.
I had the pleasure of touring the Museum in 2000 or 2001 at their other location. The displays are now better than ever, and I'm sure the vehicles will survive many more years with the care of the supporters.
Museums rock!
kerneval on July 28, 2009 at 10:27 PM
The "37 Phaeton," while lovely, is a 1935 Commander Roadster, as you can see when you enlarge the picture. A Phaeton would have a back seat, not a rumble seat. The '37 Studes had a more streamlined grille with horizontal bars that flowed down the sides of the hood.
Ross on August 17, 2009 at 07:00 PM
I love the new Studebaker Museum. The old one was cool too in a warehouse-y way. My mom used to live in SB so I would always take the time to visit. The new museum has a really neat display with a replica of an old Bonney Doon drive-in. I love the old Lark pickup trucks.
There was a Lark with a Mr. Ed show display at the SB airport the last time I was there. Studebaker sponsored the Mr. Ed show.
Norman Fikes on November 15, 2009 at 04:47 AM
My dad worked at Studebaker in South Bend for over 20 years. At the age of about 13 I was going all through the plant by my self. I saw everything they did to build a Studebaker. Security was not very strict back then and I was there several tiems. It is memories I love.
Jim Hatton on November 15, 2009 at 06:20 PM
Would like some info on two studebakers.
One I own and one for a friend.
1963 Grand Trismo 63V2II20
63V-Kb
2394
And a 1953 Lowey edition
Please contact me @ 1-513-235-4397
Thank You
Jim Hatton
tracy willaby on March 23, 2010 at 05:48 AM
i need to find out if ya'll would be intrested or were i could sell a studebaker lark sign that has never been uncrated from when it was shiped new.Its double sided lighted about 6' tall. Thank for any help you can give me.Tracy Willaby (903)413-5727
Garth Youngs on April 05, 2011 at 03:29 PM
I am trying to find scale drawings of the 1953 Studebaker Starliner Hardtop. If anyone can help please contact me
@ g_youngs@hotmail.com
Thanks