1932 Rockne Six 2 Door Sedan

On May first, 1928, Knute Kenneth Rockne became the most famous part-time employee on the Studebaker payroll. On that date, he began an association with Studebaker that would last until his premature death near Bazaar, Kansas in March of 1931.

Rockne's success on the Gridiron was legendary. From his inaugural season in 1918 until his last in 1930. Rockne led his team to victory in nearly 90 percent of their contests, including three undefeated seasons.

In the late 1920s, former Notre Dame football standout Paul Castner was employed at Studebaker as The Sales Manager of the Commercial Division. At this time, Rockne was rapidly gaining recognition as one of the nation's foremost motivational speakers. Castner was well aware of Rockne's prowess as an orator and urged Studebaker Vice-President Paul Hoffman to put Rockne's skill to use for Studebaker.

Rockne's first speech was to the National Automobile Chamber of Commerce at the Commodore Hotel in New York City. With literally no preparation, Rockne spoke for forty-five minutes in his trademarked high-energy fashion. When he concluded his remarks, the audience, which included Henry Ford of Ford Motor Company, and Alfred Sloan of General Motors leaped to its feet cheering and clapping.

On March 31, 1931, Rockne and eight passengers boarded a flight from Kansas City to Los Angeles. Shortly after takeoff, the plane encounter rough weather and crashed in a field near Bazaar, Kansas, killing everyone aboard. Telegrams expressing condolences were received from President Herbert Hoover, General Douglas MacArthur, Babe Ruth, and King Haaken of Norway as the nation mourned the passing of a sports legend.

The Car
The Rockne automobile was created by Ralph Vail and Roy Cole, two independent automotive engineers headquartered in Detroit, Michigan. The pair had been contracted to create a new low-priced car for the Willys-Overland Corporation of Toledo, Ohio. Two prototypes were built and shown in early 1931, but Willys-Overland elected not to proceed with the project. Vail and Cole smartly sought and received approval to keep all the rights to the automobiles as well as the two prototypes. Each man took one car and promptly went on vacation.

Ralph Vail headed to his farm near Michigan City, Indiana. His journey from Toledo took him right through South Bend on a Saturday afternoon. With nothing to lose, Vail visited the Studebaker Administration building and arranged a meeting with Studebaker President Albert Erskine that very day. Erskine was impressed with Vail and his automobile, and before the sun had set hired both Vail and Cole and scheduled their new car for production.

Rockne Motors Corporation was created as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Studebaker in 1931. Production took place in Detroit at Studebaker's Picquette Avenue plant, which still stands today. Knute Rockne was to have been an officer of Rockne Motors. But accounts differ as to what role he would have taken.

All of Studebaker's remaining resources were put into the production and promotion of the Rockne. In 1933, Studebaker entered receivership, a form of corporate bankruptcy. They emerged from receivership in late 1933, but the Rockne did not return to Studebaker showrooms. In the end, just 25,000 Rocknes were produced in 1932 and 1933.

Source - Studebaker Museum