1937 Studebaker Dictator Custom Coupe

Studebaker was founded in 1852 in South Bend, Indiana. Their original success was in making wheelbarrows for the California Gold Rush followed by supplying wagons to the Union Army in the Civil War. After a fire in 1875 destroyed their factory, they built a new brick factory covering 20 acres which became 'The largest vehicle house in the world.' Some of their carriages could cost up to $20,000.

Studebaker entered the automotive business in 1902 with electric vehicles and in 1904 with gasoline vehicles, all sold under the name 'Studebaker Automobile Company.' Over the next five decades, the company established an enviable reputation for quality and reliability. The last Studebaker car rolled off the line in 1966.

In 1927, Studebaker introduced the low-priced 'Dictator,' saying the cars would 'dictate the standard' for their class. The name, however, would take on a new meaning when the political situation in Europe deteriorated in the late 1930s, and Studebaker decided to drop the Dictator name. The 1938 Dictator equivalents would be called 'Commander' models.

The three-window coupe models produced during 1936-37 by Studebaker featured an unusual 'bat-wing' rear-window design. This example was ordered with a rumble seat and an unusual single side-mounted spare tire. During this era, most buyers opted for the available dual sidemounts and this coupe is the only single-sidemount coupe known to the Antique Studebaker Club today.