Drive Your Studebaker Day is marked every year on the second Saturday of September. This year’s event will take place on September 14. The Studebaker has long been regarded as the embodiment of class as a result of its beauty, elegance, and sophistication.
The Studebaker Corporation earned a reputation for quality, durability, and dependability thanks to timeless designs and exceptional engineering detail. Drive Your Studebaker Day honors the impact of these incredible automobiles on automotive history, and also provides an opportunity for Studebaker drivers all over the world to show off their Studebaker cars, trucks, or even antique carriages.
History of Drive Your Studebaker Day
Although Studebaker Brothers Manufacturing Company was an American business founded in 1852 that focused on manufacturing wagons, buggies, carriages, and horse harnesses, its history dates back to when Peter Studebaker and his family docked on the shores of the ‘American Frontier’ in 1736. They built the first Studebaker carriage in a make-shift factory beside their home and used it to travel as far as Roma, Brisbane, St George, Charleville, and so many other places.
The first Studebaker vehicle was a horse-drawn wagon that had four wheels and a carriage front suspension to help the passengers stay comfortable through the ride. These horse-drawn wagons became very instrumental as a means of transportation during the American Civil War. By 1902, Studebaker had begun to produce electric vehicles and by 1904, their gasoline vehicles had rolled out of production. The company enjoyed a lot of popularity for over 50 years as they consistently produced exquisite models of the Studebaker.
Studebaker Electric remains one of the standout versions of Studebaker’s early electric cars. With electric motors firmly placed within its trunk, the Studebaker Electric ran on clean, rechargeable batteries which were very easy to replace. And although these vehicles were pretty sluggish at the time, they were perfect for urban areas that didn’t have gas stations.
Due to the heavy toll of the great depression and post-war cashflow problems, the Studebaker Corporation’s South Bend plant ceased automobile production on December 20, 1963, and the final Studebaker rolled off the Hamilton assembly line on March 17, 1966. Studebaker remained a separate manufacturer until May 1967, when it merged with Wagner Electric and then with Worthington Corporation to form Studebaker-Worthington.
Drive Your Studebaker Day timeline
Peter Studebaker and his family arrive on the shores of America.
The first Studebaker carriage is built in South Bend.
The first Studebaker horseless carriage is created.
The first batch of battery-powered Studebaker Electric cars is produced.
The Studebaker Corporation's South Bend plant shuts down the production of automobiles.
Drive Your Studebaker Day FAQs
When was the last Studebaker made?
Studebaker production ended in 1966, and they were made in Hamilton, Ontario, and Canada.
What is the rarest Studebaker?
The Avanti is the rarest Studebaker. The two-door coupe, which was produced in only 6,000 units in 1962 and 1963, is now a collectible. The Avanti was marketed as a “personal luxury car” and had a fiberglass body similar to the Chevrolet Corvette of the time.
What was the best Studebaker?
The 1950 Champion was Studebaker’s all-time highest-production model, with more than 270,000 samples built.
Drive Your Studebaker Day Activities
Drive a Studebaker
If you own a Studebaker, then Drive Your Studebaker Day is the perfect day to show off your vehicle to everyone. If they care to listen, you can take a step further and educate them on the specific features that make the Studebaker so classy.
Attend a Studebaker chapter event
On Drive Your Studebaker Day, Studebaker drivers around the world organize events where they display different Studebaker models. If you’ve always wanted to learn more about Studebaker cars, mark the next date on your calendar.
Watch videos of Studebaker drivers
If you’ve never seen a Studebaker, you can easily find videos of classy and rare Studebakers on the internet. You can also explore the model designs and how they have influenced the current automobile industry.
5 Interesting Facts About The 1902 Studebaker Electric
It had a variety of styles
Different body styles of the Studebaker Electric vehicle were produced.
They looked like carriages
Many of the Studebaker Electric cars had bodies like the lucrative passenger carriage that came before it.
They had limited mileage
The Studebaker Electric cars could only be driven for limited miles at a time.
The Studebaker Electric steering was a lever
The steering was a basic long black L-shaped lever that moved the front wheels from side to side when handled.
The gear is a lever as well
The 1902 Studebaker Electric also had a brass gear shift lever between the seats which served as the gear.
Why We Love Drive Your Studebaker Day
Its influence on modern-day automobiles
The Studebaker's simplistic yet comfortable design has profoundly influenced several vehicle types and served as a pattern for some of the automobile industry's top manufacturers. Its outward horse-like design can also be found on several current automobiles.
The space and comfort of the interior
While Studebaker's outward design was a work of art, the interior design valued simplicity of mobility and passenger comfort above all else. This high level of comfort endeared Studebaker vehicles to a large number of wealthy people.
Opportunity to take a ride in a Studebaker
As the years pass since the Studebaker Corporation ceased production of new vehicles, it is getting increasingly difficult to come across a Studebaker. However, if you attend a Studebaker chapter event, you may be able to ride in one of the few remaining elegant models of the car.
Drive Your Studebaker Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | September 10 | Saturday |
| 2023 | September 9 | Saturday |
| 2024 | September 14 | Saturday |
| 2025 | September 13 | Saturday |
| 2026 | September 12 | Saturday |
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