1925 Studebaker Sedan, Model EP, Big Six, 5 passenger, 4-door
Owner: Bernie and Janice Taulborg Collection
Original cost: $2,245.00
Number made: 80,365 made in 1925 – all models
Engine,etc.: L-head inline 6 cyl.; 353.8 cu. in.; 75 hp; 120 in. wheelbase
The Studebaker brothers began as wagon builders and built a very successful business supplying wagons to the North in the Civil War and to the British during the Boer War.
Studebaker built its first car, an electric designed by Thomas Alva Edison, in 1902. Under pressure from a son-in-law, the company began building gasoline cars in 1904 despite John M. Studebaker’s opinion that “they stink to high heaven”.
The company enjoyed increased success and was a supplier to Europe and the U. S. government in World War I.
The cars were robust, difficult to break, and made Studebaker famous.
From 1918 to 1920 the Big Six was offered only as a four-door touring vehicle. This was the most popular body style for vehicles at the time. Beginning in 1921 the price of enclosed vehicles came down and buyers realized the advantages of both closed and semi-closed passenger compartments.
The EP model was produced in 1925 – 1926.
Standard equipment included glare-proof visor, automatic windshield cleaner, cowl and dome lights, speedometer, gas gauge, shock absorbers, spare tire, headlight dimmer, rear view mirror, clock, and running board kick plate.
Four wheel hydraulic brakes were an option.
In the 1920’s twelve of fourteen Arizona counties issued Studebakers to their sheriffs because of their reputation for power, reliability, and ability to withstand hard use and bad roads. In 1925 the company published a pamphlet about the Arizona sheriffs’ Studebakers and named their Big Six Sport Phaeton model the “Sheriff”.
At the 1924 New York Auto Show Studebaker featured a 1918 Big Six that had a verified odometer reading of over 500,000 miles as a testament to the longevity and durability of Studebaker vehicles.
The high-water mark in registrations came in 1925 when Studebaker put 107,732 cars into service. Its total production that year, including trucks, was 134,664 units. Other car manufacturers had grown much faster however: Studebaker dropped from third place in the industry in 1912 to 8th by order of production volume in 1926.
Source: Standard Catalog of American Cars, 1805 -1942. Beverly Rae Kimes, et al. 3rd ed. Krause Publications, 1996.
https://www.conceptcarz.com/z27247/studebaker-big-six-model-ep.aspx
https://studebakermuseum.org/ (Archives, photos, etc.)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Studebaker_Big_Six
http://ucapusa.com/lost_marques_studebaker.htm (History)
