Studebaker Discontinues US Production

"After serving the transportation needs of America for more than 114 years, Studebaker has discontinued the manufacture of automobiles."

"Because it is, and always has been, a fine car, we are confident that you will continue to receive a full measure of value from your Studebaker."

Read the full article on Google.

"Old People Driving" Documentary - Studebaker

This film looks amazing.

"Shaleece Haas heard her grandfather tell the stories for years. How Milton Cavalli first drove a car, at age 9, in the 1920s. How he worked hard stacking wood to buy a car from an uncle at age 13. How the yellow Studebaker he drove across country, decades later, was mistaken for a cab when Cavalli tried to pick up Haas' grandmother at a hotel in New York."

"Haas documented her 97-year-old grandfather and 99-year-old Herbert Bauer as they struggled with the decision about whether they were too old to continue driving. In the film, Haas accompanies Bauer on his final spin as a driver. Cavalli, who owns three Model T's and a Saxon, is still behind the wheel."

Go to the "Old People Driving" website.

Read the full article on SFGate.com.

See the trailer below.

Old People Driving trailer (1:30) from Shaleece Haas on Vimeo.

CAMBER Cruise in the Sacramento Bee

File under funny and fun. My daughter and I were featured in the Sunday (August 2, 2009) Sacramento Bee re: the CAMBER cruise. The Bee writer enjoyed my explanation of drive-ins to my five year-old; her reply was that the whole idea of a drive-in was "silly."

Link to the full Sacramento Bee article. Image below.

Studebaker - Boom and Bust - South Bend, Indiana

The sad story of prosperity and then decline.

"In its heyday, the west side was the bustling center of life for many workers at the Studebaker Corporation who made their homes on the west side and also supported neighborhood businesses. But after Studebaker Corporation closed, the west side began its decline."

"Despite its challenges, Davis says there are many bright spots in the 2nd District, such as the Studebaker National Museum, Center for History and a future Civil Rights Heritage Center at Indiana University South Bend. Davis says the Monroe Park neighborhood near downtown also shows a lot of promise."

Read the full article on the South Bend Tribune website.

New Studebakers Make Bow - The Evening Independent

From The Evening Independent, November 16, 1950:

"One piece windshields, now standard on all Champions and Commanders, will make an important contribution to safer motoring."

"The new Commander is powered by a rugged, compact V-8 engine for which $15,000,000 were spent in engineering alone."

Click the image of the 1951 Studebaker Champion below to read the full article.

1951 Studebaker Commander - Land Cruiser

From the November 15, 1950 St. Petersburg Times:

"Front-end styling alterations center around the new grille, "spinner", and bumper support splash shield. New trunk deck handles and re-designed tail lamps are the new rear features."

1950 MPG Test Run - TIME Magazine

Again proving that Studebaker was way ahead of its time...

Monday, Feb. 27, 1950

"On a basis of gasoline mileage alone, the Studebaker Champion placed first with 26.551 miles to the gallon, the sweepstakes-winning Mercury second with 26.524 mi., and a Nash Ambassador third with 26.424 mi. Next, in order of ranking: Nash Statesman, 25.522 m.p.g.; Studebaker Land Cruiser, 24.887; Kaiser Special, 23.946; Frazer Manhattan, 23.907; Studebaker Commander, 23-794; Ford 6, 23.326; Cadillac 61, 22.972; Cadillac 62, 22.525; Cadillac 60, 22.080; Hudson Commodore, 21.386; Plymouth, 21.254; Chevrolet, 21.071."

See the full article on TIME.

1950 Studebaker Champion - Washington Times

Another great article about a '50 Champion and its owner - this time in the Washington Times.

"Murray Welsh can offer no reason why a 1950 Studebaker Champion Regal Deluxe four-door sedan is parked in his garage other than its peculiar appeal.

The bullet-nose Studebaker was built in the South Bend, Ind., factory Aug. 17, 1950 and was then shipped to Philadelphia. Its whereabouts are unknown from then until Mr. Welsh and his wife, Linda, went Studebaker shopping about a decade ago."

Read the Washington Time's article about this Studebaker Regal DeLuxe.