STUDEBAKER history for 6/21/10

[COMMANDERPINK1]

This will be two bits of history today
Question#1 In what year and what military vehicle first phototype was built?
Question#2 In what year did H-C Studebaker Blacksmith complete its first wagon?

Tom

[Chris_Dresbach]

A total guess on question #1. 1942 and the Weasel.
#2. is 1852. They produced two wagons in their first year.

[52-fan]

Since Studebaker built special wagons for use in the American Civil War there may have been a prototype in that time period. I don't have a clue on either date.

[jclary]

As far as the "Blacksmith" shop first Studebaker, I think I saw somewhere in the museum a wagon that was built when the Patriarch of the family built a wagon to move the family from Pennsylvania to South Bend in the 1840's. If I recall correctly, that is one of the first exhibits as you enter the museum.

[Nelsen Motorsports]

I remember seeing a prototype weasel dating to the end of WWI, so 1915.

[Chris_Dresbach]

I remember seeing a prototype weasel dating to the end of WWI, so 1915.

Is this what you were thinking of?

This was actually a production military "tractor" used in WWI. They had tank tracks and I think they had early Champion engines. This wasn't a prototype, but the Weasel idea could have came from this. I think only a few of these are still existant. This photo was from 1918.

[DEEPNHOCK]

My swag is 1863 and it was an ambulance...

[COMMANDERPINK1]

A total guess on question #1. 1942 and the Weasel.
#2. is 1852. They produced two wagons in their first year.

Thats the answer Chris
Tom

[Chris_Dresbach]

Thats the answer Chris
Tom

Awesome!

[StudHawk60]

I'm not convinced that's true. Surely they had to build a sample (or use an existing design for modification.), for the Govt to check out for the Civil War.

[Chris_Dresbach]

I'm not convinced that's true. Surely they had to build a sample (or use an existing design for modification.), for the Govt to check out for the Civil War.

The civil war started in 1861, and Studebaker started in 1952. They would have had 9 years to build wagons. Besides that, for the time the wagons used were basically modified farm wagons. I would also guess that they started to build wagons, and then modified them as time went on. They needed wagons FAST.

[stupak]

I quess all Studebakers built prior to 1952 were,.............fords??? stupak

[COMMANDERPINK1]

There probably was a wagon build by a Studebaker before 1852 but I believe it was the two brothers attempt as a company I was asking or am I still wrong?

Tom

[StudHawk60]

The civil war started in 1861, and Studebaker started in 1952. They would have had 9 years to build wagons. Besides that, for the time the wagons used were basically modified farm wagons. I would also guess that they started to build wagons, and then modified them as time went on. They needed wagons FAST.

I'm aware of the Civil War, I live within a mile of a major Civil War battlefield. (Look up Aug 31-Sept 1, 1864). I volunteer my time and give guided tours of the Civil War sites in this area.

[Chris_Dresbach]

There probably was a wagon build by a Studebaker before 1852 but I believe it was the two brothers attempt as a company I was asking or am I still wrong?

Tom

That is correct.