1919 Studebaker Big Six

History

A United States wagon and automobile manufacturer based in South Bend, Indiana, the Studebaker Corporation, or simply Studebaker, entered into the automotive business in 1897 to create electric vehicles.

The Studebaker Light Six automobile was introduced in 1918 and was produced until 1927. The car was renamed the Studebaker Standard Six in August 1924. Both the Light Six and the Standard Six were the least expensive of Studebaker's models while in production. A large variety of body styles were available for this vehicle during its period in production. The Light Six was renamed the Studebaker Standard Six Dictator in 1927. This was in preparation for the 1928 model year, when the vehicle would then be known as the Studebaker Dictator.

The Studebaker Special Six was a vehicle produced by the Studebaker Corporation from 1918 to 1927 and represented their mid-range model. This model was also available in an array of body styles throughout production. The Special Six was renamed the Studebaker Special Six Commander in 1927. This was in preparation for the 1928 model year when the vehicle then be known as the Studebaker Commander.

The Model EG, or the Studebaker Big Six was also introduced in 1918 and lasted until 1926. Renamed in 1927, the Big Six became the Studebaker President. The President was the most luxurious as well as the largest Studebaker model.

The Big Six was offered from 1918 until 1920 as only a four-door touring vehicle. This was the most popular body style for vehicles at this time. Beginning in the 1921 model year, the price of enclosed vehicles came down, and buyers realized the benefit of both closed and semi-closed passenger compartments, and a wide variety of body styles became available. The Big Six lineup grew by the 1926 model year to include the specialty body styles of the dual-cowl Phaeton and the Berline sedan.

Producing 60 bhp at 2000 rpm, the Big Sixes from 1918 to 1919 were powered by Studebaker's 354 in/3 I6 engine. The engine output jumped to 75 bhp by 1926 at 2400 rpm. The wheelbase of the Big Six was enlarged to 120 inches in 1918, and in 1926 the car was made available in either short 120-inch wheelbases or long, 127-inch wheelbases.

1918 Studebaker models represented a magnanimous milestone for Studebaker because they represented a big break from the earlier legacy of E-M-F vehicles that Studebaker had previously been constructing. The Big Six President in 1928 marked the introduction of Studebaker's famous 313 in/2 V8, which produced 100 bhp at 2600 rpm.

In 1954 the Studebaker Corporation was acquired by Packard Motors Company of Detroit, Michigan, and became a division of the Studebaker Packard Corporation from 1954 until 1962. The company reverted to its previous name Studebaker Corporation in 1962. Studebaker continued to survive as an independent closed investment firm until 1967 though the company left the automobile business in 1966.

By Jessica Donaldson