1907 Studebaker Model H Landaulet

The Studebaker Brothers began their path to automobile production by first building horse-drawn vehicles in 1852. This continued until 1902, when they began building automobiles. As many people tried their hands at manufacturing vehicles at this time, a wide range of independent vehicle manufacturers emerged. The majority of these lasted only a few years or were quickly taken over by other companies. Their first automobiles were electric, but their interests quickly turned to gasoline-powered cars. The gasoline-powered vehicles had more potential and could be produced more quickly. Throughout the years, the Studebaker name became synonymous with building quality and desirable automobiles, and by 1915 they were producing more than 45,000 vehicles annually.

The expensive cars sold through Studebaker were manufactured by Studebaker in collaboration with the Gardford Manufacturing Company of Elyria, Ohio. This 7-passenger 2-door Landaulet had an original factory price of $5,540, a rather high sticker price at the time. It sits atop a 104-inch wheelbase and was powered by a 280 cubic-inch engine that produced 30 horsepower.

This example was custom-made for a Chicago client. It featured a half-folding roof, a chauffeur area, limited cargo capacity, and side-mounted spare tires. The interior is elegant, with tapestry trim, cherry wood, and beveled glass.

It has been owned by several individuals until 1983, when it was donated to the Crawford Museum. There are just over 5000 miles on the odometer.

By Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2014

Studebaker - one of the oldest American automobile companies - began building electric automobiles in 1902 but switched to gasoline engines in 1904. The company supplied bodies to Garford Manufacturing in Elyria, Ohio, which built the chassis. Hence the name, Studebaker-Garford. By 1911, Studebaker was marketing automobiles under its own name.

The four-cylinder engine develops 30 horsepower and is nestled in a 104-inch wheelbase chassis. With the fancy landaulet body installed on the chassis, these were not inexpensive automobiles.

This automobile was originally owned by Bertha Matilde Palmer, wife of Chicago real estate magnate and philanthropist Potter Palmer. The car has been restored exactly as ordered new by Mrs. Palmer, in her favorite shade of purple: heliotrope and amaranth.