Rockne production

[bhapner]

I watch "American Pickers" on TV frequently. The other night they uncovered a Studebaker /Rockne sign that was valued at $6500. They gave what I thought was bogus info on the Rockne. The info they presented was that the Rockne was only produced 1 year, that he died before the car was introduced, and his death resulted in Studebakers financial collapse. What was the actual production year(s) and did Coach die before the first Rockne was produced?

bhap

[Studebaker Wheel]

They were produced in the 1932 and 1933 model years (1932 in Detroit and 1933 in South Bend). Yes, Rockne was killed in an airplane accident near Bazaar, Kansas (along with 7 others) on March 31, 1931 about nine months before Rockne production began. His passing had little or nothing to do with Studebakers going into receivership in 1933. At the time he was head of Studebaker Sales Promotion. My Rockne sign below. Got it much cheaper than $6500!

[Son O Lark]

That picture with Knute was cut and pasted, probably by the ad dept.! Notice his shadow. Definitely superimposed someway.

[rodnutrandy]

This one was at a winter car show I attended

[bhapner]

They were produced in the 1932 and 1933 model years (1932 in Detroit and 1933 in South Bend). Yes, Rockne was killed in an airplane accident near Bazaar, Kansas (along with 7 others) on March 31, 1931 about nine months before Rockne production began. His passing had little or nothing to do with Studebakers going into receivership in 1933. At the time he was head of Studebaker Sales Promotion. My Rockne sign below. Got it much cheaper than $6500!
[ATTACH=CONFIG]37661[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]37663[/ATTACH]

Richard,
You should send them an e-mail with the correct info. $6500 was the asking price for the sign, they didn't offer that much. I don't know who does the research for the show, but they often have bad data.

[Studebaker Wheel]

That picture with Knute was cut and pasted, probably by the ad dept.! Notice his shadow. Definitely superimposed someway.

Not the ad dept., just me having a little fun in Photoshop!

[rockne10]

The most detailed articles I have seen on the history and production of the Rockne appeared in The Antique Studebaker Review, Vol.3 No.4 of Nov-Dec, 1973 by Terry Cannon and Vol.14 No.6 of March-April, 1985 by a variety of contributors; Richard Quinn, editor.

If anyone has a question that wasn't answered in those two issues...I don't know what to tell you.