1934 Studebaker President

Studebaker was founded in 1852 and incorporated in 1868 as the Studebaker Brothers Manufacturing Company. The early years were spent building buggies, wagons, harnesses, and carriages. They entered the automotive business in 1902 with electric vehicles and in 1904 with gasoline vehicles, under the name 'Studebaker Automobile Company.' Over the years, Studebaker would be affiliated with various marques. In 1928, Studebaker gained control of the Pierce-Arrow company and their association lasted for five years, ending in 1934. During that time, both engineering departments continued to function as separate entities, with both companies gaining moderate benefits from the union. Pierce-Arrow gained a dealer network and their cars were sold through Studebaker dealerships. It later became apparent the Pierce-Arrow union was a mistake. Company president Albert Erskine began negotiating with White, however slow sales due to the Great Depression for both the Studebaker and Erskine lines, failure of Rockne in the marketplace (Studebaker produced the Rockne from 1932 through 1933), and heavy financial losses sent Studebaker into receivership in 1933. Harold Vance and Paul Hoffman were called in to begin re-organizing the company midway through 1933, following Albert Erskine's suicide. The Pierce-Arrow stock was sold-off for a million dollars and the model line-up was trimmed down.

The 1934 Studebakers became more streamlined. The top-of-the-line President Eight models were slightly smaller in wheelbase and size and lighter than the prior 1933 version. It was given a vee-shaped radiator grille and bumpers. Power was from an L-head, nine main bearings, 250 cubic-inch engine with 110 horsepower, and breathing through a Stromberg carburetor. The engine was mated to a three-speed synchromesh transmission with overdrive, and stopping power was provided by four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes. Body styles included a convertible and various coupes and sedans.

by Dan Vaughan

Regal Sedan

1934 marked a transitional period between the elegant and stately lines of the early classic era and the streamlined vogue of the Great Depression. In March of 1933, the Studebaker Corporation entered receivership due to the economic hardships of the time. Corporate Executive Paul Hoffman introduced the all-new 1934 models to save the corporation. Exactly two years later, the company emerged from near bankruptcy, in no small part due to the sales success of the 1934 model year automobiles.

This is a Regal model featuring an integrated trunk and side-mounted spares. It is powered by a 250 cubic-inch eight-cylinder engine that produces 110 horsepower. It also features a free-wheeling transmission along with a vacuum-boosted brake system produced by Bendix. This Full Classic Studebaker President was donated to the Studebaker Museum by Mr. & Mrs. Little of Kingsport, Tennessee.

Land Cruiser Sedan

Studebaker was founded in 1852 and first began building gasoline-powered cars in 1904. In its 80 years as a producer of wheeled vehicles, Studebaker had weathered many crises and had never finished a year in the red until 1932. Studebaker and Pierce-Arrow merged in 1928, and by 1933 there were four completely different chassis, with 20 different bodies and four different engines, in the Studebaker catalogue. A series of events sent the company into receivership and after a re-organization in mid-1933, the company was once again on solid financial footing. Studebaker introduced the audacious and stunning model year 1934 Land Cruiser at the 1933 Chicago World's Fair. It brought Studebaker the attention it needed with its daring new design and aerodynamic styling features. It had a vee-shaped radiator grille, a smooth trunk deck, a five-piece rear window, teardrop headlights, skirted fenders and horizontal hood slats. It was available in the Commander and President series and powered by a 250 cubic-inch engine that produced 110 hp and was mated to a 3-speed manual transmission with overdrive.

Due in part to the Great Depression, only 201 President Land Cruisers were produced, and this is the only one known to exist in North America. This 'Year Ahead' model, with fender skirts and a four-piece rear window giving the effect of curved glass, was inspired by the Pierce-Arrow Silver Arrow first seen at the 1933 New York Auto Show. Both cars were the work of Studebaker design chief John Hughes.

This example has been restored over many years by its owner, who included a completely new Ash frame for the steel bodywork and new interior fabric reproduced on a handloom in the original wool fabric.

The Studebaker Company was formed in 1852 as a wagon manufacturer and eventually changed to automotive production, making them one of the oldest names in the automobile industry. They were in the automotive business from 1902 through 1966, a total of 64 years. They produced electric-powered cars for the first two years and introduced gasoline power in 1904. During the 1920s, they produced vehicles in the mid-priced range and showed great promise during the late 1920s. In 1927 Studebaker moved up-market and into the luxury car segment with their President model line. The President was given a powerful eight-cylinder engine that was worthy of the elegant coachwork that it carried. The engine earned Studebaker a reputation in power, performance, and endurance. In 1931 a Studebaker President outfitted with a nine-bearing engine won the Pikes Peak hillclimb.

The Studebaker President stayed in production until 1942 and later reappeared in 1955 and discontinued again in 1958. The first Studebaker President was built on July 23rd, 1926, and was given the internal name the ES. The goal of the President was to be the finest, most powerful, dependable, and most luxurious car on the American market. By establishing land speed records in the late 1920's and early 1930's, the President cemented its name in the performance department. The powerful nine-bearing eight-cylinder engine captured 114 records, 35 of which would stand for 35 years. The long bodies meant there was plenty of interior room for the passengers and no expense was spared when creating these automotive marvels.

In 1935 the Studebakers could be purchased with a steel sliding roof allowing passengers to enjoy the open air and picturesque views. Sales reached 2305 examples, most with a selling price of around $1,529. Some of the optional equipment included exterior-mounted chrome salon horns, chrome radiator mascot, two side-mounted spare tires, foot hassocks in the rear compartment, Startix automatic starting system, full automatic spark control and chock, overdrive with synchronized shifting, full cushioned power seats, special 4-spoke phantom type steering wheel.

The suspension was improved in 1936, with all Studebakers being equipped with the Startix suspension system. In 1937 a semi-automatic 'Miracle-Shift' transmission was offered, which featured a dashboard-mounted shifter. In 1939 the shift lever was moved to the steering wheel column and the 'Miracle-Shift' unit was discontinued.

Raymond Loewy joined Studebaker as a design consultant near the close of the 1930's. His influence and designs can be seen in the later 1930 model Presidents.

In 1941 Studebaker offered a premium trim level President, named the Skyway President. This automobile had full fender skirts that enclosed the car's rear wheels, adding unique styling and improving aerodynamics. These examples were only offered for a short time, as the President line was discontinued in 1942.

The President name reappeared in 1955 and stayed in production until 1958.

The President Speedster was a one-year special edition car based on the 1953 Starliner. Ironically, the 1953 car had virtually no chrome, while the Speedster had chrome virtually everywhere. Three-toning was optional on the Speedster. It was the predecessor to the 1956 Hawk series.

In 1956 the Loewy Euro-style Studebaker was reskinned to look more American. The dashboard was totally redesigned with a 'Cyclops Eye' speedometer sitting atop it. The President Classic had a longer wheelbase than the standard President line and it also had a more powerful engine. Despite the improvements, 1956 was a disastrous sales year for Studebaker.

The President Starlight hardtop was produced for only one year, 1958. The Starlight was complete with chrome and fins, but it was still based on the old 1953 body shell. The narrowness of the body prevented the use of conventional quad headlights, so Studebaker resorted to a 'pod' design where the lights bulged out slightly on the sides of the car.

by Dan Vaughan