Studebaker Brothers Co. of Indianapolis - circa 1900's Automotive Stock Certificate

Unissued Stock printed by Goes, Early & Rare!

The Studebaker Brothers Co. of Indianapolis was not located in Indianapolis, but in South Bend, Indiana, where brothers Henry and Clement Studebaker established a blacksmith shop in 1852. This company quickly grew from making horse-drawn wagons to becoming the world's largest manufacturer of them by the 1880s. The business expanded into electric and gasoline-powered automobiles in the early 1900s and continued as a major automaker until its final car was produced in 1966. 

The company's success was built on the quality of its early wagons, which gained national exposure during the Civil War through orders from the U.S. Army. This growth and reputation enabled the company to make a successful transition into the automotive industry, with its plant in South Bend becoming a hub for new car models like the Champion and the Avanti. Although the South Bend production line closed in 1963, Studebaker continued to build cars at another location until the final vehicle was manufactured in March 1966. The company's legacy includes its significant contribution to American transportation history, the development of new designs, and its deep connection to the city of South Bend.