1937 Studebaker Dictator

With a total capital of $68, the Studebaker brothers Henry and Clem established a wagon shop in South Bend, Indiana, in 1852. The business was successful due to the migration to the western territories, the Indian Wars, and from settlers and the United States Army. By 1867 the company was grossing $350,00 annually and was soon joined by three more brothers. In 1902, the company offered its first electric vehicle, and its first gasoline-power car followed in 1904.

Studebakers were powered by two-cylinder engines through 1905, and by four-cylinder units from 1906 through 1912, when a six-cylinder model joined the lineup for 1913. Beginning in 1914, Studebaker would offer two models with one powered by the four and the other by the six. The six-cylinder unit had a 288.6 cubic-inch displacement size and three blocks on a common crankcase with each having two cylinders. In 1918, the Studebaker lineup grew to three models consisting of the 'Light Four,' 'Light Six,' and 'Big Six.' Beginning in 1920, Studebakers were solely powered by six-cylinder power in various sizes and outputs. An eight-cylinder option appeared in 1928, and six- and eight-cylinder models were produced through the start of World War II.

In mid-1927, the Studebaker Dictator joined the lineup and would remain in production through 1937. Previously known as the Studebaker Standard Six and internally designated model GE, the Dictator was the company's lowest-priced model, followed by the intermediate Commander and top-of-the-line President, along with a one-year-only 1927 Chancellor. In mid-1929, the Dictator series was offered with an 8-cylinder engine with a 221 cubic-inch displacement and 70 horsepower, while the six-cylinder option continued into 1930.

The Studebaker Dictator rested on a 113-inch wheelbase, growing to 115 inches in 1930 before losing an inch for 1931 and growing to 117 inches a year later. By 1937, its wheelbase measured 116 inches, and it rode on 16x6.00 tires. Its engine was an L-head inline-6 with a 217.8 cubic-inch displacement, a 6.0:1 compression ratio, solid valve lifters, four main bearings, and developing 90 horsepower at 3,400 RPM. The transmission was a three-speed synchromesh manual with a Borg & Beck single dry disc clutch and floor-mounted gearshift controls, positive control automatic drive, Automatic Hill Holder, and four-wheel hydraulic brakes.

Studebaker's 1937 model lineup included the six-cylinder Dictator and the top-of-the-line eight-cylinder President. Both wore all-new styling in the front with a one-piece hood, a rounded radiator shell with horizontal grille bars that slanted slightly back towards the windshield. The upper portion of the grille bars extended along the sides of the hood, doubling as a styling element and as functional ventilation for the engine. The hoods were hinged at the cowl and raised from the front, a trend that was becoming more common in the automotive landscape. Safety improved through the use of a rotary door latch with safety catches, and cargo capacity increased in the truck due to a new flat type, 18-gallon fuel tank.

A dual built-in warm air windshield defroster was added to the options list, joining the optional heater, clock, radio, fender skirts, bumper guards, whitewall tires, full wheel discs, wheel trim rings, dual side-mount spares and side-mount covers, outside rearview mirror, sunroof, radio antenna, parking lights, seat covers, and special paint. The Planar front wheel suspension was available for an additional $20 and replaced the straight front axle.

The Studebaker Dictator was offered as a two-door business coupe, custom coupe, two-door Custom St. Regis, two-door St. Regis cruising sedan, Custom Sedan, and cruising sedan. Prices ranged from $765 to $900, an increase of approximately $100 over the previous year's prices. The cruising sedan and the two-door St. Regis cruising sedan were trunk-back body styles.

Standard equipment on the Dictator included a George W. Borg clock, Casco cigar lighter, Autolite ignition lock, dual windshield wipers, a bumper, a single sun visor, safety glass, a fuel gauge, engine thermometer, Budd steel disc wheels, Houdaille shock absorbers, and spring covers.

The 1937 Studebaker President was priced from $1085 to $1185, and its 250.4 cubic-inch eight-cylinder engine produced 115 horsepower and placed within a 125-inch wheelbase.

1937 was the final year for the Dictator model as the political situation in Europe deteriorated in the late 1930s, and the rise of Adolf Hitler in Germany tainted the word, so in 1938 the Commander's name was resurrected after having been dormant since 1935.

Studebaker produced 82,627 vehicles during the 1937 model, an increase from the 63,664 vehicles produced during the 1936 model year. Production of the Series 5A Dictators began in 1936 and continued until July 1937 with a total of 50,001 examples constructed. Production of the Series 6A Dictators ranged from August 1936 to July 1937, with 39,001 units constructed.

by Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2021