It's March 17th 2018, and 52 years ago today the last Studebaker rolled off the Hamilton, Ontario line. It was filmed and recorded by CHCH-TV news reporter Jim Bay, who had this to say on the occasion.
"Studebaker is no longer in the business of manufacturing automobiles. The last Studebaker rolled off the assembly line in Hamilton this morning. The time was 8 o'clock, on the day that all Irishmen remember, March 17th, and the day that few employees of the sprawling Hamilton plant will forget. This year alone, the company turned out more than 8,000 units for the domestic and export markets. The end of production comes exactly 108 years after the first vehicle, a Conestoga wagon, was turned out by Studebaker in 1858. At the same time car production ground to a halt today, Studebaker gave assurances that parts production and an international network of service centers would continue to look after Studebaker owners in the years to come. This is Jim Bay, Channel 11 News."
Determination had already been made that the last Studebaker would be preserved and given to the City of South Bend, along with the company's historical collection. Unfortunately, no other units were kept for clean-up work following the close, and this vehicle ended up being considerably used for the next year or so; in fact 18,000 miles worth of use. Not really knowing what to do with this car, South Bend put it in storage. When Century Center opened in South Bend in 1977 it was hoped that car would be included in the Studebaker historical display. But it didn't happen.
Fast forward to the 80s, when SDC Ontario Chapter member Denton Wright learned that the last Studebaker was in storage in the basement of Gates Chevrolet in South Bend. So Denton and I did a personal inspection and found to our dismay that the years had taken a serious toll. In fact, sunlight streaming in from a basement window had virtually destroyed the upholstery.
Enter the late Phil Brown from the Michiana Chapter, who approached me to determine the likelihood of raising sufficient money to preserve this car. We immediately went to work and in a short time were able to tap the generosity of many SDC members for the funding. Phil Brown, with the help of Max Gretencord, put together a team of members in South Bend and were able to return this iconic Studebaker to its original condition when it rolled off the Hamilton assembly line in 1966.
As SDC members are aware, the last Studebaker is displayed for posterity in the Studebaker National Museum, and its upkeep is proudly sponsored by the Hamilton Chapter of SDC. An accompanying plaque recognizes those who provided the financial support for its preservation.
Stu Chapman
"Studebaker is no longer in the business of manufacturing automobiles. The last Studebaker rolled off the assembly line in Hamilton this morning. The time was 8 o'clock, on the day that all Irishmen remember, March 17th, and the day that few employees of the sprawling Hamilton plant will forget. This year alone, the company turned out more than 8,000 units for the domestic and export markets. The end of production comes exactly 108 years after the first vehicle, a Conestoga wagon, was turned out by Studebaker in 1858. At the same time car production ground to a halt today, Studebaker gave assurances that parts production and an international network of service centers would continue to look after Studebaker owners in the years to come. This is Jim Bay, Channel 11 News."
Determination had already been made that the last Studebaker would be preserved and given to the City of South Bend, along with the company's historical collection. Unfortunately, no other units were kept for clean-up work following the close, and this vehicle ended up being considerably used for the next year or so; in fact 18,000 miles worth of use. Not really knowing what to do with this car, South Bend put it in storage. When Century Center opened in South Bend in 1977 it was hoped that car would be included in the Studebaker historical display. But it didn't happen.
Fast forward to the 80s, when SDC Ontario Chapter member Denton Wright learned that the last Studebaker was in storage in the basement of Gates Chevrolet in South Bend. So Denton and I did a personal inspection and found to our dismay that the years had taken a serious toll. In fact, sunlight streaming in from a basement window had virtually destroyed the upholstery.
Enter the late Phil Brown from the Michiana Chapter, who approached me to determine the likelihood of raising sufficient money to preserve this car. We immediately went to work and in a short time were able to tap the generosity of many SDC members for the funding. Phil Brown, with the help of Max Gretencord, put together a team of members in South Bend and were able to return this iconic Studebaker to its original condition when it rolled off the Hamilton assembly line in 1966.
As SDC members are aware, the last Studebaker is displayed for posterity in the Studebaker National Museum, and its upkeep is proudly sponsored by the Hamilton Chapter of SDC. An accompanying plaque recognizes those who provided the financial support for its preservation.
Stu Chapman
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