Talk:Studebaker

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Most of the article I took from notes for a tlak I've given. I deleted the 'Punch Line' since I cannot think of a good way to give it NPOV. Suggestions are welcome. Here's the story...

Studebaker did all the things in the 'modern' corporate leadership book. They had a mission and vision (economical mobility for average people} and even investigated airplanes and helicoipters. What killed them was the inheritence taxes. The family lost control, and modern managers needed to milk the brand name and reputation for short term profits. R&D went early on, as did the vision. Product line expanded just to 'grow in market segments'. After the core values were gone, they became another Ford or GM without the big manufacturer's leverage. Then they died. .... So suggestions are welcome on how to add this fact to the article and still be neutral. I assume that favoring or arguing against a form of tax shouldn't go into an article. Any ideas?? - Lou I 22:43 18 May 2003 (UTC).



"Henry Studebaker was a farmer, blacksmith, and wagon..." He was a wagon? I'm confused. -- Tarquin 21:27 26 Jun 2003 (UTC)

I presume it was supposed to say "wagoner", which I've changed it to. Call me a cab, Infrogmation
I changed it to wagon-maker. A wagoner or wagoneer is a teamster who drives the wagon. A wainwright or wagon-maker builds them. I didn't think anyone would understand wainwright though. Shame. Rmhermen 00:35 27 Jun 2003 (UTC)
let's put "wainwright" and link it so people find out! -- tarquin (loged out)

Is there any connection between the Avanti and De Lorean besides that Mr. De Lorean once worked for the Studebacker-Packard company? Rmhermen 00:46 27 Jun 2003 (UTC)

Yes, when Studebaker gave up the ghost; De Lorean bought the dies, equipment, and rights to make the Avainti, did a very little restyling and produced it as the De Lorean. Lou I
Interesting. But they look very different to me. Rmhermen 16:14 8 Jul 2003 (UTC)
I spoke too quickly, frim memory rather than checking, apologies. The purchase of rights was part of his actions leading up to an attempt to REstart the De Lorean company in Ofio, after the first De Lorean went broke. DeLorean's earlier connection with Studebaker was in deign work, after GM and before his own company. Lou I
Someone should add this to the John De Lorean page. It doesn't mention Studebaker. Rmhermen 16:42 8 Jul 2003 (UTC)
Just as a note, following the closure of Studebaker in December 1963, the Avanti's production rights and name were purchased by Nate Altman and his brother (I "think" they were South Bend Studebaker dealers) who continued the vehicle as the Avanti II well into the 1970s. Changes after the Altman's took over included the cars' engine (Studebaker no longer made engines after South Bend closed, and I think they used a Chevy V8) and suspension systems. But if memory serves me right, this caused the car to stand slightly different than when it was a Studebaker product. I'd do a Goole on "Nate Altman" and Avanti II to see what you find. user: stude62 user talk:stude62 23:22, 13 Feb 2005 (UTC)




Nate Altman and Leo Newman owned Newman and Altman, the largest Studebaker dealer in South Bend. When they started production of the Avanti II the two biggest changes were substituting the Chevrolet engine for the Studebaker one, and eliminating the rake of the car. The story goes that this was done because the Chevy engine was taller than the Studebaker unit, but the real reason was that Leo Newman didn't like the rake! Aside from those two changes the early Avanti II's were basically Studebaker Avanti's, with the same suspension and front disk brakes as Studebaker used. In fact the same front suspension was used well into the mid 80's. This is the same kingpin suspension Studebaker introduced in 1951 and it was (and is) a strong, well thought out suspension and the cars handled quite well. --JeffDeWitt 04:17, 7 Jun 2005 (UTC)

Contents

[edit] Studebaker Activities in Brazil

I am a researcher developing a thesis on the activities of American industry in Early twentieth century Brazil. I am searching for any and all information and/or photos related to Studebaker's presence in São Paulo during the 40's or sooner, their involvement with the Brazilian government, their production interests, and/or role in employing Brazilians in the war effort. Please direct any commentaries or helpful hints to:

scott@lrinewyork.com

thanks, and I will also post my updates as they come in. It is of everyone's interest to know the workings of American industrial power in and around the world.

scott

Studebaker was able to export cars to Latin America very well because it had first exported wagons there. --Sobolewski 00:27, 27 December 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Studebaker to Studebaker Brothers...

I'm not sure that this was a good move. Stude62 03:06, 26 March 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Requested move

Studebaker Brothers Manufacturing Company → Studebaker Corporation – The current page article name is the first corporate name for what is best known as the Studebaker Corporation. Studebaker Corporation manufactured automobiles from 1912 to 1966. The current name is archaic and the page should be listed under its last, and best known, independent name.


Add *Support or *Oppose followed by an optional one-sentence explanation, then sign your opinion with ~~~~
  • Support, standard wikipedia practice is to use the most common name unless there are particular difficulties. No pages link to this title and the move has broken to redirects. Rmhermen 06:09, 27 March 2006 (UTC)
  • Support I know I'm not suppose to vote for what I nominated, but I will anyway. Stude62 17:32, 27 March 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Discussion

Add any additional comments

[edit] Moved back to 'Studebaker'

I've moved the article back to 'Studebaker'. It should be here, under the Wikipedia naming convention rule of 'Use common names'. Second preference is 'Studebaker Corporation' since that is the best known corporate name. Matthew Brown (Morven) (T:C) 19:41, 27 March 2006 (UTC)

I think the current name should do. —Nightstallion (?) Seen this already? 08:31, 31 March 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Studebaker and Packard "merger"

They never actually merged; this is a common misconception and is sadly repeated here. Packard in fact PURCHASED Studebaker (not the other way around regardless of the order of the corporate name). Do some research and you'll see what I say is correct.

Also the bit about DeLorean needs clarification. First off he was an engineer not a "designer" etc. He was employed by Packard (not Stude) and worked on at least their Twin Ultramatic automatic transmission, and possibly the Torsion Level suspension too. I've never heard of any connection between him and the Avanti, and while it's possible I highly doubt it.

I don't mean to sound pompous or full of myself and I wholeheartedly encourage all readers to verify what I say (it's always nice to learn new things in the process!). —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 71.37.15.220 (talk) 20:16, 16 January 2007 (UTC).