Top of the Line

The Golden Age: 1926-1933

In the mid-1920s Studebaker was looking to refresh its model lineup and expand its market.   A new slate of model names was introduced:  The former Standard Six was now the Dictator, the Special Six and certain Big Six models evolved into the Commander line, and Studebaker’s top-end models were rebranded as the “President.”  

The “President” name debuted in mid-1926 on several of the company’s previous model ES Big Six automobiles.  In January of 1928 Studebaker unveiled a brand-new model FA eight-cylinder President which took aim at the ever-growing luxury market  The model FA President featured an all-new 100 horsepower inline eight-cylinder courtesy of Studebaker chief engineer Delmar G. “Barney” Roos.   These so-called “big Presidents” remained in production through 1933.

The Great Depression hit automakers hard and Studebaker was no exception.  The high-end automobile market all but vanished as Americans struggled to put food on the table.  Falling sales and dwindling reserves forced Studebaker into receivership in March of 1933. Though Studebaker would survive, the big Presidents would not.  Just 635 1933 Speedway Presidents built, and Studebaker dropped the line at the end of year.

This information comes from our past exhibition: Top of the Line: Studebaker’s President.