Studebaker-Garford
Encyclopedia
Studebaker-Garford was an automobile
produced jointly by the Garford Company
of Elyria, Ohio
and the Studebaker Corporation
of South Bend, Indiana
from 1904 through 1911. During its production the car was sold as a Studebaker, per the marketing agreement between the two firms, however Studebaker collectors break the vehicles out under the Studebaker-Garford name because of the extent of Garford components
Garford was a manufacturer of automobile components and chassis for a number of early automotive works. Studebaker, which had been in the wagon-making business since the 1850s, produced their first automobile in 1897, but did not go into full production until 1902 with the introduction of the Studebaker Electric.
Under the agreement, Garford would assemble each chassis and then ship it to South Bend for completion. Studebaker-Garfords were powered by gasoline-powered engines which initially had a displacement of 8bhp.
The first Studebaker-Garfords were designated Models “A” and “B”, and were listed as five-passenger touring car
s with a detachable tonneau
, which, once removed, converted the car into a two-person runabout
. The Model “C” was also introduced in 1904 and is considered the first formal touring car, but did not come with a collapsible (convertible) top. Headlights for the cars were available at extra cost.
Until its final year, the car received a number of mechanical upgrades as technology advanced:
By 1910, however, chassis production was increasingly favouring Garford's own vehicle brand, and Studebaker was forced to take steps to reassert its contractual rights. Grudgingly, Garford accommodated Studebaker, but the relationship between the two companies became tense. However, by 1911, E-M-F's engine and chassis plant was bought out by Studebaker president Fred Fish and the two firms ended their tenuous relationship.
Garford would continue producing its own cars but, without a distribution network firm, failed to produce a volume sufficient to make the organization profitable. In 1913 Garford was purchased by John North Willys and merged into Willys-Overland.
Automobile
An automobile, autocar, motor car or car is a wheeled motor vehicle used for transporting passengers, which also carries its own engine or motor...
produced jointly by the Garford Company
Arthur Garford
Arthur Lovett Garford was a noted industrialist, inventor and politician. Today, Garford's home serves as the Hickories Museum and home of the Lorain County Historical Society.- Biography:...
of Elyria, Ohio
Elyria, Ohio
-Community:Elyria has an extensive, although financially burdened, community food pantry and "Hot Meals" program administered through the Second Harvest Food Bank and several churches Elyria is served by Elyria Memorial Hospital.-Recreation and parks:...
and the Studebaker Corporation
Studebaker
Studebaker Corporation was a United States wagon and automobile manufacturer based in South Bend, Indiana. Founded in 1852 and incorporated in 1868 under the name of the Studebaker Brothers Manufacturing Company, the company was originally a producer of wagons for farmers, miners, and the...
of South Bend, Indiana
South Bend, Indiana
The city of South Bend is the county seat of St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States, on the St. Joseph River near its southernmost bend, from which it derives its name. As of the 2010 Census, the city had a total of 101,168 residents; its Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 316,663...
from 1904 through 1911. During its production the car was sold as a Studebaker, per the marketing agreement between the two firms, however Studebaker collectors break the vehicles out under the Studebaker-Garford name because of the extent of Garford components
Garford was a manufacturer of automobile components and chassis for a number of early automotive works. Studebaker, which had been in the wagon-making business since the 1850s, produced their first automobile in 1897, but did not go into full production until 1902 with the introduction of the Studebaker Electric.
Under the agreement, Garford would assemble each chassis and then ship it to South Bend for completion. Studebaker-Garfords were powered by gasoline-powered engines which initially had a displacement of 8bhp.
The first Studebaker-Garfords were designated Models “A” and “B”, and were listed as five-passenger touring car
Touring car
A touring car, or tourer, is an open car seating five or more. Touring cars may have two or four doors. Often, the belt line is lowered in the front doors to give the car a more sportive character. They were often fitted with a folding roof and side curtains. Engines on early models were either in...
s with a detachable tonneau
Tonneau
right|thumb|260px|1903 [[Ford Model A |Ford Model A]] rear-door TonneauTonneau cover , describes a hard or soft cover used to protect unoccupied passenger seats in a convertible, roadster, or for a pickup truck bed. Hard tonneau covers open by a hinging or folding mechanism while soft covers open...
, which, once removed, converted the car into a two-person runabout
Runabout (car)
Runabouts were a popular car body style at the beginning of the 20th Century. They were small, inexpensive, open cars. Most runabouts had just a single row of seats, providing seating for two passengers. Many also had a tonneau at the rear to provide optional seating for four or five...
. The Model “C” was also introduced in 1904 and is considered the first formal touring car, but did not come with a collapsible (convertible) top. Headlights for the cars were available at extra cost.
Until its final year, the car received a number of mechanical upgrades as technology advanced:
- 1905, Series 15HP was powered by a two-cylinder horizontal engine producing 15 bhp. Series 020HP introduced a four-cylinder engine, however the engine delivered 15 bhp, not the promised 20 bhp.
- 1906 Series E, F and G were all four-cylinder cars with increased wheelbase, up two inches to 98” from the previous year. The Studebaker-Garford also introduced a town car body. Options for the open cars included a folding top and windshield.
-
- Note: Model G 30 was also built and sold as the Garford, beginning in 1908, after Studebaker took control of the E-M-F CompanyE-M-F CompanyThe E-M-F Company was an early American automobile manufacturer that produced automobiles from 1909 to 1912. The name E-M-F was gleaned from the initials of the three company founders: Barney Everitt , William Metzger , and Walter Flanders .- Everitt...
, with which it had also entered into a body-building, marketing and distribution deal to sell E-M-F cars through Studebaker wagon dealerships. With the company no longer exclusively relying on Garford, Studebaker unofficially modified the agreement and allowed Garford to enter the automobile business on a limited basis.
- Note: Model G 30 was also built and sold as the Garford, beginning in 1908, after Studebaker took control of the E-M-F Company
- 1907–1911 Studebaker-Garfords from this period emerged with more refinements, and more body styles with each model year. The last Studebaker exclusive model was the G-10.
By 1910, however, chassis production was increasingly favouring Garford's own vehicle brand, and Studebaker was forced to take steps to reassert its contractual rights. Grudgingly, Garford accommodated Studebaker, but the relationship between the two companies became tense. However, by 1911, E-M-F's engine and chassis plant was bought out by Studebaker president Fred Fish and the two firms ended their tenuous relationship.
Garford would continue producing its own cars but, without a distribution network firm, failed to produce a volume sufficient to make the organization profitable. In 1913 Garford was purchased by John North Willys and merged into Willys-Overland.