Studebaker, from Conestoga’s to Coupes
Early in the 18th century, the Staudenbecker family of Solingen, Germany decided they would relocate to a place that would allow them freedom of religion and of their personal lives. In 1736, they set out for America bound for a new home in Philadelphia, PA. The immigration clerks, unfamiliar with the German language recorded their name as Studebecker, Studibacker, Studebaker and other variations. They adopted the Studebaker name and while many went into farming, several family members went into blacksmithing and wagon making, designing what was to become the famous Conestoga wagon.
The Studebaker Wagon Company built wagons for the Union army during the Civil War. Later the company began making automobiles and built wagons and motorized vehicles for the U.S. Army in WWI and WWII. Their reputation for building rugged, reliable vehicles made them an easy choice for the armed forces.
For the automobile market, they hired Raymond Loewe, a famous French designer, giving the company a reputation, not only for reliability, but for style as well. Loewe designed the bullet nose, the Avanti, the Hawk and the streamlined Commander coupe. His designs were characterized by sweeping, flowing lines with a distinctive “European Look”. Unfortunately, the company did not adopt high volume tooling rapidly enough and after being absorbed by the Packard Company, they simply “got out of the business”.
My grandpa had a 1948 light green four door Studebaker. He was a Studebaker guy and often reminded me that the Studebaker was “the most dependable car on the road”. Since gas at that time was 18 cents a gallon, gas mileage was not a big concern, but he topped the tank off once a month need it or not. He would drive to the Standard Station and an attendant in a white uniform with a black leather bow tie and his name embroidered on the breast pocket would come out to fill the tank, check the oil, check the pressure in the tires and wash the front and rear windows. He would then thank you for your business. Ah, the good old days!
The Pomona Swap Meet recently had the pleasure of hosting members of the Beach Cities and Inland Empire Chapter of the Studebaker Clubs of California at our October 16th meet. The proud owners exhibited their cars for swap meet attendees. For more information regarding the Studebaker Drivers Club, contact Don Cox at 951-734-1816 (evenings) or eMail Don at: studebaker_don@yahoo.com.
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- John Metzger with his 1964 Avanti, one of the last 300 built
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- Bob Yost’s 1963 Lark Wagon-Air with its sliding roof and 8 passenger seating.
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- Steve Broock’s Silver Hawk all original, fully loaded, with the distinctive sweeping tail fins.
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- Rhonda Bailey and a rare 1961 Hawk, the last of the finned models.
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- Rhonda’s husband Sam Bailey with his 1936 Studebaker dictator, Studebaker only made Dictators for 7 months in 1936.
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- Last but certainly not least is this beautiful custom Commander coupe, a fantastic looking automobile.
We enjoyed having the group at the swap meet and hope they had as much fun showing their cars as our attendees had viewing them.
Thanks folks, please come back and see us, you are what the Pomona Swap Meet is all about.
-Citizen Wayne73
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There were no spectator numbers available as we went to press, but take it from an eyewitness, the crowds were huge. There were entrants from Alaska, Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wyoming and Canada. The organization was first class, with booths offering a wide variety of food and drink, including a BBQ’d, smoked turkey leg that I could not resist. There I was walking around, visiting with folks, gnawing on my turkey leg, sipping a cold beer and taking pictures of some of the most beautiful cars in the world. It just doesn’t get any better.
