Studebaker Factory Tours

[DEEPNHOCK]

Were these given out for tours way back when?

[Chris_Dresbach]

Yes they were. The "green" version is from 1953 or 1954, I have one. There was also a "yellow" version from 1950. They were ment to be guide books to go along with the actual tour.
The one I have is one of my favorite pieces of Studebaker literature.

[Studebaker Wheel]

I covered this topic rather thoroughly in the "Almanac" column in the July 1998 issue of Turning Wheels. I have copies of booklets and actual entrance tickets to the factories going back to 1893.

[rockne10]

going back to 1893.

Did you take any pictures on that tour?

[Studebaker Wheel]

Did you take any pictures on that tour?

Only in the old Administration Building and not in the factory. A security thing I guess.

[62pacer]

Chris, Did they have any for later years like 62? I would love to have one for my collection of 1962 stuff. Stan

[Chris_Dresbach]

I was backwards. The "green" book is from 1950, the "Yellow" book is from 1953. They only made these in 1950 and then again in 1953. I'm sure they had something similar for 1962 (and other years), but not quite like these.

[Flashback]

Does anyone have a 53 one for sale ?

[Jim B PEI]

Does anyone else think that this sort of thing, either the 50 or 53 or both (both being iconic years for Studebaker) might be an interesting project for a reproduction reprint in honour of the 50th anniversary of SDC, with net sale proceeds going to the Museum fund or something similar? Especially in light of Chris D in South Bend being in the planning stages of setting up tours of the last Studebaker manufacturing facility building still standing?? Considering some of the Studebaker stuff I've paid good money for over the years, this seems a no brainer. Something that could be sold by the Museum store as well before and after the IM.

[53k]

I known it was fairly common for dealers to arrange for the new car buyer to pick up the car at the factory and get a factory tour. I got a factory tour when I picked up my Wagonaire at Hamilton, but I didn't get a booklet like these.

[8E45E]

I known it was fairly common for dealers to arrange for the new car buyer to pick up the car at the factory and get a factory tour. I got a factory tour when I picked up my Wagonaire at Hamilton, but I didn't get a booklet like these.

Did you get a small two-page 'invitation' with your Owner's Guide? As I recall, it was not unlike a wedding invitation, printed on bright white fancy stock with scripted black text stating the address and hours of operation when one could take the tours.

Craig

[53k]

Did you get a small two-page 'invitation' with your Owner's Guide? As I recall, it was not unlike a wedding invitation, printed on bright white fancy stock with scripted black text stating the address and hours of operation when one could take the tours.

Crait

I actually got the tour before being taken to the car for turnover to me so I doubt if I got the invitation. I did have a letter of introduction from the dealer who sold me the car.

[2R5]

I have a 1 ft ruler in my collection , that I got from Stu Chapman , from a dealers event that took place at the Hamilton plant . Here is a picture of it , it says New York Region Driveaway, Hamilton Ontario,April 28-29-1964.
Was a special promotion for dealers to come and get a tour and pick up some cars. Its really too bad there is nothing on the ruler that says "Studebaker"..these rulers down the road will mean nothing for us Studebaker collectors without the name. If it wasn't for Stu being an employee then I wouldn't of bothered with this because of that fact.

[Chris_Dresbach]

I had a hand full of these booklets reproduced when I gave the foundry tour back in 2009. I only had about 5 made. I kept one for myself and gave the others to anybody who showed up in a Studebaker until I ran out. They were the "Yellow" 1950 eidtions, but were printed small. I dunno, I guess I could see about having them made again for the body plant tour?

[Studebaker Wheel]

Here are some of the booklets. I have a few others including 1893 and 1937. I believe there was also a from 1963 that was quite brief. Much of this covered in the June 1998 TW Almanac.
Below Studebaker's explanation re the tours written in 1952:


PUBLIC TOURS MADE OF PLANT

Regular Schedule Maintained for Visitors

Studebaker corporation officials believe there is no better way to gain potential customers than to conduct tours through the plant to let visitors see how the company builds passenger cars and trucks.
Nearly every week day at 10:15 a. m. and 1:15 p.m. a group of visitors leaves the ad- ministration building to be shown through the factory by competent guides. Studebaker figures that the visitors will remember what they see, especially when it comes to buying a new automobile.
Of necessity, the tours are brief and allow the visitor a quick once-over of the general steps involved in production. Courtesy cars provide rides from the body plant to the foundry and from the final line back to the administration building, but there is still plenty of walking to do.
Young men in training for jobs in the sales department are assigned to escorting the visitors, who are heard to comment frequently on the timing that brings together the correct frame, body, engine, wheels and fenders at the proper places.
To help them retaining the information of the operations they have seen and to provide more information about the company, visitors get copies of the Studebaker booklet, "A Trip Through the Studebaker Factory." The last pages tell of Studebaker's historical background. (1952)