1950s Studebaker

The 1950s Studebaker designs became some of the most iconic 1950s automobiles ever produced.

The Studebaker Corporation produced its first motor vehicle in the early 20th century and saw its last car roll of the assembly line in 1966.

Studebaker was originally founded in 1852 and produced wagons.

Inspired by Virgil Exner's design skills, Studebaker was well placed to play its role in the post Second World Way car manufacturing boom.

With an eye to the future the company penned the slogan “First by far with a post war car.” As a prequel to the 1950s boom Studebaker's champion coupé launched in 1947. The style was innovative with a wrap around rear window, something which was to influence designs during the forthcoming decade.

In the early 1950s Studebaker revised their Starlight range with the Champion which included a restyled boot. However, Studebaker were set to face severe financial problems.

Boasting some of the highest paid workers in the car manufacturing industry, Studebaker were able to enjoy good industrial relations. But stiff competition from General Motors and Ford meant the company began to lose sales.

In 1954 Studebaker were taken over by Packard to become the Studebaker-Packard Corporation. But Studebaker's financial position remained dire.

By the mid 1950s Studebaker were facing bankruptcy but the company entered a three year deal with aircraft company Curtiss-Wright. This led to Studebaker beginning to produce products other than cars.

Studebaker also became the American importer for foreign motor cars, striking deals with DKW, Mercedes Benz and Auto Union. Studebaker's tie up with Packard was to also change.  The Packard plant in Detroit was disposed of and no Packard with Studebaker bodies were built after 1958. 

Four years later the Packard name was then dropped from the company title and it became known by its previous name – The Studebaker Corporation. 

In 1957 Studebaker produced the Silver Hawk. The Silver Hawk came in four designs, the Flight Hawk Power Hawk as well as the hard topped Sky Hawk and Golden Hawk. Production of this range lasted until 1959.

As the 1950s came to an end Studebaker designed and built a more compact car - The Studebaker Lark. The Lark remained in production until the mid 1960s, when Studebaker car production finally came to a halt.