1903 Studebaker Electric

Studebaker made its inaugural foray into automobile production in 1897. Using their experience and talents in building high-quality horse-drawn vehicles, their horseless vehicle production began with electric-powered motorcars before transitioning to gasoline-powered ones. Similarly to other Midwestern manufacturers of the era, they produced smaller two-cylinder vehicles, eventually progressing into larger, grander ones. During the early years, they relied upon Elyria, Ohio manufacturer A.L. Garford for their chassis and engines. Up to 1911, cars were marketed under the 'Studebaker-Garford' name.

The first production automobile produced by the Studebaker Brothers Manufacturing Company was an 'electric' designed by Thomas Alva Edison and built in 1902. An 8-horsepower twin followed near the close of 1903. In 1904, a twin-cylinder 16 horsepower chain-driven model was added, followed by a 20 horsepower 'four' with shaft drive in 1905.

In 1908, Studebaker began an association with the E-M-F Company, initially marketing its cars. Eventually, they took over the Detroit-based manufactured (in 1910) to form the Studebaker Corporation on January 1st, 1911; the link with Garford was officially severed. By this point in history, the range consisted of fours - the Models G-8 and G-10 – of 40 and 30 horsepower, respectively. In 1913, the company's first six-cylinder model - the Model E - was introduced and is considered the first mass-produced 'six' to have its cylinders cast en bloc.

By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2024