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Studebaker was one of the great names in the American automotive industry, with a history that could be traced back further than almost any of their competitors. But, that history and the company’s adherence to its roots of conservative spending and style could not spare them from the impact of the Great Depression. With production peaking at nearly 240,000 cars a year in 1925, production fell to just over 25,000 cars in 1933. Sales began to rebound slowly in 1934 and by 1936 the company turned a small profit again.
As it was for many car companies, The period from 1935 through 1937 was pivotal for Studebaker. The company was spending money to make their products more enticing for a population that was finally able to afford a new car again. Styling was improved and modernized through a contractual relationship with industrial designers Raymond Loewy and Helen Dryden. Studebaker introduced their first all steel bodies, including the new “turret top” roof in 1936, the same year as General Motors who is credited with being the first to the market with this innovation.
Also in 1936, Studebaker offered hill-holder as a standard feature. Hill-holder made it easier for drivers to accelerate from a stop when on a hill, a feature that had only been available on luxury cars or as an accessory up to that time.
The introduction of the 1937 cars on September 4th, 1936 proved that the innovations would keep coming. Rotary door latches with a “safety” catch helped to make the cars safer. Handling was improved through the use of direct action shock absorbers and new variable ratio steering. Independent front suspension, available since 1935 on the President series, was made an option on the entry level Dictator.
Sales recovered steadily since the darkest days of the Depression. Total model year production for 1937 reached 82,627 cars. This was good enough for Studebaker to rank 11th in the industry. -
Company
Studebaker Corporation
Make
Studebaker
Model
Dictator 6A
Body Style
Business Coupe, 2-door, 4-pass.
Body Manufacture
N/A
Model year
1937
Wheelbase
116 inches
Length
N/A
Engine
Inline-six, L-head, 217.8 cid
Horsepower
90 @ 3400 rpm
Transmission
3-speed manual
Original Base Price
$765
Brand Production
82,627
This Car Production
N/A -
This Studebaker Dictator 6A is one of 9,001 of all Dictator 6A models made between August 1936 and July 1937. The business coupe was the lowest priced offering in the Dictator line-up with a base price of $665. In fact, it was the lowest priced Studebaker for 1937.
When new, this car was delivered to a dealer in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania painted Hollywood Beige with a beige interior. They sold it to a buyer 85 miles away in Curwensville, PA.
The NB Center acquired the car in March 2013 from a private seller in Virginia. The car was now painted maroon but luckily, no one ever disturbed the still well preserved portions of the car. The car was used “as-is” for a number of years before restoration was undertaken. The car was completed in fall of 2020 now finished in the period- correct shade of Grape-Maroon.
