1904 Studebaker Model C

This was the first year that Studebaker was in the automobile business (they had been making wagons and carriages since 1852). John M. Studebaker, the venerable president of the company, decided on electricity to power his motor vehicles over the gasoline ones. The electric motor was rated at 40 volts and 24 amperes. John Studebaker finally gave in, and Studebaker began the production of gasoline cars in 1904 in association with the Garford Company of Elyria, OH. The chassis was built by the Garford Company of Elyria and was then shipped to South Bend, IN where the bodies were installed by Studebaker.

This particular example is the oldest surviving gasoline-powered Studebaker. It is powered by an opposed 2-cylinder engine offering 16 horsepower. The car cost $1,600 when new. A canopy top costs an additional $150.