Runabout

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.

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 1907 Electric Runabout featured a 40-volt Westinghouse motor powered by three batteries located under the seat. A tiller on the car's left side controlled steering. Early Studebaker electrics had wire-spoke wheels, while later models featured wood-spoke wheels. The price when new was $1,150. A top was not standard equipment on Studebaker electrics.