Originally the company was a producer of wagons in 1852 and was first incorporated in 1868 under the name of the Studebaker Brothers Manufacturing Company. While Studebaker entered the automotive business in 1902 with electric vehicles and 1904 with gasoline vehicles, it partnered with other builders of gasoline powered vehicles until 1911. In 1913, Studebaker introduced the first gasoline powered automobiles under its own “Studebaker” brand name. Acquired in 1954 by Packard Motors Company of Detroit, Michigan, Studebaker became a division of the Studebaker Packard Corporation from 1954 to 1962. In 1962 it reverted to its previous name, the Studebaker Corporation. While the company left the automobile business in 1966, Studebaker survived as an independent closed investment firm until 1967 when it merged with Worthington to become Studebaker-Worthington Corp.

History

19th century wagonmaker

Henry Studebaker was a farmer, blacksmith, and wagon-maker who lived near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania in the early 19th century. By 1840 he had moved to Ohio and taught his five sons to make wagons. They all went into that business as they grew westward with the country. Clement and Henry, Jr. became blacksmiths and foundrymen in South Bend, Indiana. They first made metal parts for freight wagons and later expanded into the manufacture of wagons. John made wheelbarrows in Placerville, California and Peter made wagons in Saint Joseph, Missouri. The site of John's business is California Historic Landmark #142. The first major expansion in their business came from their being in place to meet the needs of the California Gold Rush in 1849.

When the gold rush settled down, John returned to Indiana and bought out Henry's share of the business. They brought in their youngest brother Jacob and incorporated in 1852. Expansion continued to support westward migration, but the next major increase came from supplying wagons for the Union Army in the American Civil War. After the war they reviewed what they had accomplished and set a direction for the company.

They reorganized into the Studebaker Brothers Manufacturing Company in 1868, built around the motto of "Always give more than you promise." By this time the railroad and steamship companies had become the big freight movers in the east. So they set their sights on supplying individuals and farmers the ability to move themselves and their goods. Peter's business became a branch operation.

During the height of westward migration and wagon train pioneering, half of the wagons were Studebakers. They made about a quarter of them, and manufactured the metal fittings to sell to other builders in Missouri for another quarter.

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	Classic 1958 Studebaker Silverhawk - Supurb Condition! $10,000.00	1956 Studebaker Golden Hawk $10,000.00

	1940 Studebaker Champion - 42,650 miles and runs great $4,251.00	1963 Studebaker Lark Wagonaire Station Wagon 327 V8 !! $4,500.00

	1959 transtar pickup truck $500.00	1964 Wagonaire Studebaker $212.50

	studebaker coupe hot rod project $5,000.00	1948 One Of A Kind Studebaker Pick-Up ( kind of ) $2,550.00

	1958 Studebaker President $4,049.00	1946 studebaker M-5 pickup $1,575.00

	1936 Business Coupe $1,525.00	1942 Studebaker commander $760.00

	1970 Studebaker Avanti Ii Excellent Cond. Garage Kept. $7,900.00	1929 Studebaker Commander 6 Coupe 29 $15,000.00

	1953 Studebacker Champion Rat Rod style 350 Chevy $2,838.00	1963 Studebaker Avanti R-1 coupe 240 Hp 1 Of 3,834 $5,225.00

	Studebaker Street Rod Project. Look!! $3,900.00	Rare Studebaker Business Coupe, Ratrod, Gasser wannabe $1,035.00

	1947 Studebaker Champion $500.00	1964 Studebaker Cruiser Eight All Original $855.00

	1953 Studebaker truck hot rat rod custom sled Ca! $5,300.00	Studebaker $500.00

	1949 Studebaker Pickup Truck - No Reserve $5,500.00	Classic '62 studebaker lark cruiser $8,500.00

	64 Studebaker-Daytona- Wagon. V-8 Ps Sliding Roof $7,700.00	1963 Studebaker Avanti R1 $4,050.00

	1957 Studebaker Silverhawk 350 conversion $12,100.00	1981 Avanti Ii Pearl White Coupe $7,300.00

	1964 Studebaker Champ pickup $5,000.00	1955 Studebaker Commander Coupe $999.00

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