1915 Studebaker 4 Series SD Touring 

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'.  Having made a fortune out of horse-drawn transportation, 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.

For consignment, a piece of Automotive history in the form of a Studebaker 4 series SD touring car presenting with an astonishing 5,008 title verified actual miles.  This example has been fully restored in 2003 and is in running order and is maintaining its shine with a good paint job.  The convertible top is long gone and the framing for it remains.  The exterior is in good shape and is rust free, wood spoke wheels are solid and it is truly a museum piece that you can drive. 

Exterior
Large brass bezel headlights sit between black painted curved fenders that are on front and back held on with a running board located in the center of the car.  Rust free steel bodywork in green paint covers the front radiator surround and cowled hood.  A curved firewall cowl covers the bodywork back to the rectangular black painted steel windshield with a piece of plate glass in its framing.  Dual small doors are within the sides and the back tub shape brings up the rear.  Pretty standard issue for cars of this era.  On the driver's side, on the running board, there is a fold out device to hold items on top of the running board and in back is a spare tire completely mounted into the rim with no spokes.  The fuel tank on back and painted black, and no bumpers for this automobile.  Huge 34-inch wood spoke wheels are wrapped by 34x4 rubber all around and are all looking good.

Interior
A swing of the small doors reveals  black vinyl panels with some stitching and a lower  panel to match the curve.  Actuators are levers that move from front to back and are mounted in each door corner.  The seats are overstuffed tufted and buttoned leather low back buckets in front and a bench is in with only the seat material the back, presting with just the framing.  Between the front buckets and back bench are two foldable floor jump seats to accommodate additional passengers.  The floors are steel and wood painted black and the dash is natural walnut with some wide bezeled black faced ancient instrumentation  and a few levers on a black panel.  The steering wheel is a large round piece of walnut and has a timing lever in its center of 3 metal spokes.  As noted earlier the top is non-existent, but the frame in oak remains and is rot free.  

Drivetrain
Under the cowled hood is a 192ci L-head 4 cylinder engine which matches the car so its factory.  It has a 1-barrel carburetor feeding it and a factory 3 speed manual transmission on back.  Power goes to a 4.00 final drive rear axle.  Stock exhaust is on and overall the engine is in very good condition.  

Undercarriage
Very nicely preserved with no rust, solid framing and floor pans supporting the all leaf sprung suspension.  Mechanical drum brakes are on the rear only.  The under side of running boards are nice as is the battery holder, which is rare in these cars of this design.  

Drive-Ability
She started right up and ran like a champ.  On our well hidden test track we experienced good acceleration and solid braking from those mechanical rear drums.  Steering is solid, and the handling is like a pre 1920's car.  All options were working as designed.

A somewhat rare bird, not a Ford, Buick, or Chevrolet from this early era of motoring.  Nicely restored 20 years ago and still holding its shine and charm.

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display. This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.