1916 Studebaker ED-6 Chassis no. 639647

1916 Studebaker ED-6
Chassis no. 639647

288ci L-Head Inline 6-Cylinder Engine
Single Updraft Carburetor
29bhp at 2,000rpm
3-Speed Manual Transmission
Front and Rear Leaf Spring Suspension
External Contracting Rear Brakes

* Offered from a prominent Brass Era collection
* Potentially ideal for car tours
* Desirable 'Big-6' Engine
* Attractive balance of patina and sympathetic refurbishment

THE STUDEBAKER

Wagon makers since the middle of the 19th Century, the Studebaker brothers of South Bend, Indiana had been active in commercial vehicle manufacture long before the arrival of the 'horseless carriage'. The Studebaker Brothers Manufacturing Company built the first of its own automobiles - an 'electric' designed by Thomas Alva Edison - in 1902 and its first gasoline-powered motor car - an 8hp twin - late in 1903. In 1904 a twin-cylinder 16hp chain-driven model was added, followed by a 20hp 'four' with shaft drive in 1905, both of which used chassis supplied by A L Garford of Elyria, Ohio; indeed, up to 1911 cars were marketed under the 'Studebaker-Garford' name. In 1908 Studebaker commenced an association with the E-M-F company, whose cars it marketed, eventually taking over the Detroit-based manufacturer in 1910 to form the Studebaker Corporation on January 1st, 1911, at which time the link with Garford was broken. For the next few years, the range consisted of four-cylinder models only and then in 1913 Studebaker introduced its first six-cylinder automobile - the Model E - recognized by historians as the first mass-produced 'six' to have its cylinders cast en bloc.

THE CAR OFFERED

This Studebaker Six has been in the current collection ownership since the early 2000's and it is understood that it was acquired locally to the vendor in Cheyenne, Wyoming, from a farmer, who's family retained it from nearly new, it is believed. This Studebaker is in an incredible state of preservation. Judging from its condition today, it has spent its, more than century of, being well cared for, while gaining and an attractive patina over that time. The interior appears original and has the correct "horsehair" firmness one expects of a car of the era. The bodywork would seem to also show some originality in the green paint on its body tub, only the hood and wings seemingly been refurbished at some point.

Over the course of the last 15 years, it is not known to have been used and should be considered in need of mechanical checking before returning the car to the road. A commodious and well powered teen era automobile from Studebaker.