Featuring rare automobiles, historic artifacts, and photographs, the exhibition traces the rise of automobile manufacturing in South Bend, Mishawaka, and Elkhart during the industry’s formative years. Visitors will discover how the region’s carriage-building expertise, skilled workforce, railroad connections, and entrepreneurial spirit created the ideal environment for dozens of pioneering automobile companies to flourish.

Among the exhibition’s highlights are exceptionally rare automobiles built in northern Indiana, including a 1907 Tincher, 1909 Sterling, 1911 Pratt-Elkhart, 1911 Amplex, 1920 Studebaker Light Six, and 1928 Elcar. Together, these vehicles showcase the remarkable innovation that characterized the industry’s earliest decades, when engineers experimented with engines, braking systems, transmissions, and other technologies that helped define the modern automobile.

Beyond the automobiles themselves, Motor City, Indiana, explores the people who built them. The exhibition examines how thousands of immigrant workers helped fuel the region’s industrial growth while creating vibrant neighborhoods, churches, schools, and businesses that continue to shape northern Indiana today.

“The story of Indiana’s automotive heritage is about far more than one company,” said Kyle Sater, Curator of the Studebaker National Museum. “While Studebaker remains the state’s best-known automotive manufacturer, dozens of innovative companies called northern Indiana home. Their successes, failures, and technological achievements helped lay the foundation for one of America’s most important industries while transforming our communities into manufacturing centers.”

The exhibition concludes by examining how the rapid consolidation of the automobile industry and the Great Depression brought an end to many of these pioneering manufacturers.

This exhibition is part of the Museum Campus’ celebration of America250, where local stories meet national history in a year of must-see exhibitions and experiences. From the people and moments that shaped our region to the machines that put Indiana on the automotive map, discover how this community helped define the American story. Learn more at: studebakermuseum.org/america-250/

This exhibition was made possible thanks to The JBS Collection and Steven Haines.

Motor City, Indiana, is included with regular Museum admission. The Studebaker National Museum is located at 201 Chapin St., just west of downtown South Bend. 

It is open Mon.-Sat., 10am-5pm, and Sun. Noon–5pm. Admission is $13 for adults, $11 for seniors over 60, and $9 for youth ages 6-17. Campus Admission, which includes The History Museum, is $20 for adults, $17 for seniors over 60, and $14 for youth ages 6-17. For an additional cost, visitors can tour The History Museum, which adjoins the Studebaker National Museum.

For more information, please call the Museum at (574) 235-9714 or toll free at (888) 391-5600 or visit our website at studebakermuseum.org. 

The post STUDEBAKER NATIONAL MUSEUM OPENS EXHIBIT CELEBRATING NORTHERN INDIANA’S FORGOTTEN EARLY AUTOMOBILE MANUFACTURERS appeared first on The Studebaker National Museum.

 Moments That Made US  is now open and invites visitors to explore the defining experiences that shaped South Bend and how those moments connect to the broader American story. As part of the nationwide America250 commemoration, this collaborative exhibition marks the beginning of an ambitious slate of programs, exhibitions, and events that will unfold throughout 2026 and into early 2027.

 Content has been created by The History Museum and Studebaker teams using a framework developed by History Colorado for nationwide use, connecting local stories to the founding ideals expressed in the Declaration of Independence. Themes such as Created Equal, Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness, and Consent of the Governed provide a framework for understanding how individuals and communities—including those in South Bend—have shaped the nation across generations.

 While Moments That Made US anchors the celebration, it is just the beginning. Throughout the year, visitors can look forward to a dynamic lineup of experiences across the Museum Campus, including:

 A June lecture by historian Ryan L. Cole exploring the legacy of Lafayette, alongside the display of the Marquis de Lafayette’s carriage

• American Treasures, an interactive audio tour of nationally significant artifacts with local connections
• First Peoples, First Settlers: Indiana’s Interwoven Roots, examining early exploration and cultural exchange in the St. Joseph River Valley
• Motor City, Indiana, highlighting the region’s pioneering role in America’s automotive industry
• Revolution on the Frontier, uncovering Revolutionary War history west of the Appalachians, including events in present-day Indiana

 Together, these exhibitions and programs will explore how national ideals have been lived, challenged, and redefined through local experience, reinforcing a central idea of the America250 commemoration: that the American story is ongoing and shaped by everyday people.

 Moments That Made US will be on view through January 3, 2027, at both museums. For a full schedule of events, exhibition details, and updates throughout the year-long celebration, visit studebakermuseum.org/America-250.

 The Studebaker National Museum and The History Museum are located just eight blocks west of downtown South Bend. They are open Monday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m., and Sunday, noon–5 p.m. Campus admission is $20 for adults, $17 for seniors (60+), and $14 for youth ages 6–17. Children 5 and under are free.

 Studebaker National Museum                  The History Museum

(574) 235-9714                                                   (574) 235-9664

studebakermuseum.org                               historymuseumSB.org

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The term “station wagon” has its roots in the nineteenth century, when horse-drawn carts or wagons were used to ferry people and luggage to and from railway stations.

The early automobile age yielded similar utilitarian vehicles, but the traditional station wagon body style did not appear until the 1920s. In the 1930s, station wagons began to gain traction as passenger and recreational vehicles, and soon the classic station wagon template became an American mainstay.

In the pre-World War II market, limited demand led many manufacturers to outsource body production. All wood and composite wood-steel bodies were common due to high tooling and production costs for all-steel bodies. Ford was an early adopter of the station wagon body style in its Model “A” line. By the late 1930s, station wagons became a more common sight and even penetrated the luxury market. The 1941 Chrysler Town & Country, for example, was the most expensive car in its line.

ABOUT THIS SERIES

This information comes from our past exhibit, Family Haulers.

The post Origins and Woody Wagons: 1900-1947 appeared first on The Studebaker National Museum.

Many are surprised to learn that Studebaker produced automobiles in Canada over 44 years, which was one year longer than Studebakers were made in South Bend. Studebaker operated a plant in Walkerville, Ontario, from 1910-1936, and later in Hamilton, Ontario, from 1948-1966.

Studebaker rapidly expanded its automotive market share in the early 20th century after acquiring the Detroit-based E-M-F automobile company in 1910. E-M-F had a ready-made product and production
facilities , but lacked Studebaker’s vast sales network. Studebaker, in turn, had over a half century of name recognition and a world-wide dealer system.

Studebaker’s rapid growth was fueled in part by increased export sales.  By establishing a Canadian plant, Studebaker could export products from this factory duty-free to all territories within the British Empire as well as supplementing production from the company’s main plant in South Bend.

During its four decades of operation, Studebaker of Canada, Ltd., continuously operated at a profit. Its administration strove to provide a healthy working environment and build a quality automobile. Today,
Canada enjoys a large and active number of Studebaker owners due in no small part to the company’s long history there.

ABOUT THIS SERIES

Canadian Made: Studebaker of Canada was on display at the Museum in 2016 This series of articles comes for the displays from that exhibition.

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This truck features Ford’s diminutive 60-horsepower V8 engine that debuted in 1937. It was quickly discontinued in the United States, but remained popular in Europe where cars were taxed according to their power output.

1937 Ford 73 STATS

Exhibited through the courtesy of The Early Ford V8 Foundation Museum, Auburn, Indiana.

DID YOU KNOW…?

Like the rest of Ford’s 1937 line, this truck featured mechanically actuated brakes.

ABOUT THIS SERIES

Keep on Truckin’: The American Pickup Truck was on display at the Museum from 2017-2018.  This series of articles comes for the displays from that exhibition.

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The T87 debuted in 1936 and remained in production with few changes until 1950. The T87 could reach speeds up to 100 mph and 18.8 mpg with only 85 horsepower – a testament to its masterful design and styling.

Exhibited courtesy of The Elkhart Collection

DID YOU KNOW?

Tatra is one of the industry’s oldest names. The company was established in 1850 and introduced its first automobile in 1897.

ADDITIONAL TATRA LINKS

The Death Eaters, Chapter 1: Tatra T87

ABOUT THIS SERIES

Streamlined: Style on Motion was on display at the Museum in 2019.  This series of articles comes for the displays from that exhibition.

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Henry Joy, President of Packard Motor Car Company, believed that the road should be named after Abraham Lincoln. He urged Fisher to write a letter of protest to Congress, which was considering spending $1.7 million on a marble memorial to Lincoln. Joy thought a good road across the country would be a better tribute to the president.

The name “Lincoln” captured Fisher’s fancy; he realized it would give great patriotic appeal to the highway. Fisher asked Joy if he wanted to be involved directly with the highway project. At first, Joy was hesitant, but soon he wholeheartedly supported the project and became the primary spokesman for the highway as well as President of the Lincoln Highway Association with an office based in Detroit, Michigan. The nation soon became enthusiastic about the highway. Henry Joy and Frank Seiberling, President, Good Year Tire and Rubber, pledged significant funds and played major roles in the highway’s development.

ABOUT THIS SERIES

The Lincoln Highway: Leaders in the Movement for Transcontinental Travel was on display at the Museum in 2013.  This series of articles comes for the displays from that exhibition.

ADDITIONAL LINKS ON STUDEBAKER’S EARLY AUTOS

Lincoln Highway Association

Indiana Lincoln Highway Association

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This 1949 Studebaker 2R-5 was a part of the 2R series.  Studebaker debuted its new 2R-Series truck line in mid-1948 to much fanfare. The 2R’s styling was penned by Studebaker designer Robert Bourke, who later designed the 1953 Studebaker Starliner hardtop.

The 2R was offered in a wide variety of models from the standard pickup to heavy duty 2-ton units, and included such modern features as concealed running boards and a double-wall pickup beds. The 2R line remained in production through 1953, and was Studebaker’s best selling truck series.

1949 STUDEBAKER 2R-5 STATS

Gift of Bill Steinmetz, Lakeville, Indiana.

DID YOU KNOW…?

2R-Series trucks were built at Studebaker’s Chippewa Avenue plant, which still stands today.

ABOUT THIS SERIES

Keep on Truckin’: The American Pickup Truck was on display at the Museum from 2017-2018.  This series of articles comes for the displays from that exhibition.

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The Rockne was initially developed by freelance automotive engineers Roy Cole and Ralph Vail as a project for Willys-Overland. When Willy’s declined the car, Cole approached Studebaker President Albert Erskine who bought the design and retained Cole and Vail as engineers. The new car was built by the newly formed Studebaker subsidiary Rockne Motors Corporation, named in honor of the late Notre Dame football coach and Studebaker executive.

Although the car was well received by automotive journalists and by all accounts a fine automobile, it was introduced during the height of the Great Depression, when nearly 21 percent of Americans were unemployed. The Rockne was built for just two model years, 1932 and 1933.

DID YOU KNOW?

When the Rockne was introduced in 1932, it was sold in two models, the Cole-Vail designed “65” and the “75,” a rebranded 1931 Studebaker Six.

ABOUT KNUTE KENNETH ROCKNE

Knute Kenneth Rockne was born March 4, 1888, in Norway, and immigrated to Chicago, Illinois at five years old. Rockne wanted to attend college but took a job as a mail dispatcher to save money. At twenty-two years old, Rockne attended the University of Notre Dame, working through college as a janitor and chemistry researcher. Not only academically inclined, he excelled in football and won All-American honors in 1913.

After earning his degree, Rockne became head coach in 1918. In his thirteen years as head coach, Rockne led the team to 105 victories, three national championships, and coached five undefeated teams. In 1928 Rockne was retained by Studebaker for both his celebrity status and his motivational speaking.

On March 31, 1931, Rockne was en route to California to participate in the filming of The Spirit of Notre Dame when his plane crashed, ending his celebrated career at the age of 43. Rockne’s funeral was held at Notre Dame with more than 100,000 people attended his funeral procession.

ADDITIONAL LINKS

Rockne Registry

Knute Rockne Bio

ABOUT THIS SERIES

Reaching the Masses: Studebaker Companion Models was on display at the Museum in 2019.  This series of articles comes from the displays for that exhibition.

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Exhibited courtesy of the Richard H. Driehaus Collection at Chicago Vintage Motor Carriage, Chicago, Illinois

DID YOU KNOW?

1939 was the last year for Lincoln’s “K” series, which was its most expensive line of cars.

About this Series

Streamlined: Style on Motion was on display at the Museum in 2019.  This series of articles comes for the displays from that exhibition.

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