Any automobile, regardless of its condition, deserves a lot of respect for avoiding the scrap heap for more than 100 years. In this case, it’s been nearly 110 years for this 1917 Studebaker Touring Car. These were open-air “horseless carriages” produced by Studebaker Corp. from 1904 to the mid-1920s. This example looks to have been living in a barn for decades and has earned rust and other forms of deterioration to its credit. Located in New Albany, Mississippi, this crusty antique is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $2,500 (trades considered). Thanks for the cool tip, “Zappenduster.”
Before closed-body vehicles became popular, open-air cars like the Studebaker Touring Car were the automobiles of choice. Over time, these machines evolved, beginning with 2-cylinder engines and eventually advancing to 6-bangers. 4-cylinder models emerged around 1913, which probably includes the seller’s car because the sixes didn’t catch on until 1918. Cars like the seller’s were 4-door, open convertibles that were good for transporting at least five people (some models could seat seven).
We don’t know which product line this Studebaker is, but someone who’s an early Stude expert may be able to chime in. Assuming the 4-cylinder is intact, it could be 3.9 liters in displacement, putting out about 40 horsepower. 3-speed manual transmissions were the order of the day. We assume there’s black paint on this car somewhere and it may have once had a contrasting fabric top. Features could have included a split windshield, running boards, and a hand crank for the starter (to improve your muscles).
Whether this car gets restored ($$$) or is left in its current state, you have to wonder if the Studebaker museum in South Bend, Indiana would be interested in such an artifact. When this machine was built, Studebaker was still a relatively young company and had another 49 years to go before the enterprise would run out of gas for good.
I feel I always lead these off because nobody else does. Cars of this type have very few followers today. I’m just as guilty, as these predate anything I’m used to, so it’s all relative, I suppose. I think back to what 1917 must have been like. Lucas McCain was probably in a nut house and Mark “out East” somewhere, but not far from horse and buggy. In fact, these shared the road with horses, and many times to the riders dismay. More than one of these had holes in the radiator. Studebakers were high class automobiles. Research shows, I think this was the ED6,(?)7 passenger and was top of the line costing a whopping $1095 new or 3 times the cost of a Model T. The up side, it’s all there,,,the downside,,,well, I think the museum is a good choice, maybe if donated. Sad to see such a magnificent car, and for 1917 it was, in such condition. Maybe,,,it was a casualty of WW1, April 6, 1917. Bought a new Studebaker and didn’t come back.
Looks like it’s all there and not all beat up, how much work can you and are you willing to do to bring it back to life? Seller should be happy with a grand to see it go to a good home.