Studebaker Corporation - Specimen Stock Certificate

Specimen Stock printed by Security-Columbian Banknote Company. 

Studebaker, an American wagon and automobile manufacturer based in South Bend, Indiana, was founded in 1852 and incorporated in 1868 as the Studebaker Brothers Manufacturing Company. Initially, the company focused on coachbuilding, manufacturing wagons, buggies, carriages, and harnesses.

In 1902, Studebaker entered the automotive industry, introducing electric vehicles, followed by gasoline vehicles in 1904, all sold under the name “Studebaker Automobile Company.� Until 1911, its automotive division operated in partnership with the Garford Company of Elyria, Ohio, and later with the E-M-F Company and the Flanders Automobile Company from 1909 onwards.

In August 1912, Studebaker manufactured its first gasoline automobiles. Over the next five decades, the company established a reputation for quality, durability, and reliability.

However, an unsuccessful 1954 merger with Packard (the Studebaker-Packard Corporation) failed to address chronic postwar cash flow problems. Consequently, the ‘Studebaker Corporation’ name was restored in 1962. Nevertheless, the South Bend plant ceased automobile production on December 20, 1963, and the last Studebaker automobile rolled off the Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, assembly line on Saint Patrick’s Day, March 17, 1966.

After its demise, Studebaker continued as an independent manufacturer before merging with Wagner Electric in May 1967 and later with the Worthington Corporation in November 1967.