Studebaker: The Complete History

by Patrick Foster

The Studebaker history is a short one, and a sad one at that, but inside Studebaker, you'll find a meticulously crafted history of the early automobile. Studebaker began business as a builder of covered wagons. By 1921 they were the number four automaker in the nation. By 1932 they were bankrupt. And for Studebaker, one of the most remarkable stories in American automotive history, that was only the beginning. America's Most Successful Independent Automaker tells the full and fabulously colorful history of this icon of the American automotive scene. Rife with triumph and tragedy, brilliant moves and boneheaded decisions, Studebaker's decades of building cars makes for a tempestuous saga featuring some of the more interesting characters in the twentieth-century business world. Above all, the story features cars that, for countless Americans, truly defined not just the Champion, which rocketed the company back to the top in 1939, or the 1950s Raymond Loewy-designed Starliner, deemed a "work of art" by the Museum of Modern Art, but also the Hawks and Larks that so many drivers loved. As the book traces Studebaker's fortunes from success to crisis to merger and back, it also dwells with loving photographic attention on the vehicles, from the first electric car to the last Avanti.

Genres: History, Cars

192 pages, Hardcover

First published June 15, 2008

Reviews

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always have liked The Studebaker car especially the 1950's style and after I visited the Studebaker Museum in South Bend, I wanted to know more about this auto company so I checked out this book and read it. A detailed history of this company and its demise.

[Robert Palmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This provides a good overview of the entire history of Studebaker, from its days as a wagon and carriage manufacturer through its production of automobiles. Because of its breadth of coverage, depth of coverage is somewhat lacking, but that is to be expected. The book is an enjoyable read, and it includes abundant photographs, both color and black and white. This is an enjoyable armchair read for the car enthusiast.

As a side note, I am somewhat surprised that the description of this book states that Studebaker's history is a short one. In fact, Studebaker began making wagons and carriages in the mid-nineteenth century, and therefore has a much longer history than many other automobile manufacturers.

[Donald McEntee · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Found at Ollie's -- price was right.) A good quick summary (with pictures) if you're a fan of the brand.