(Model Code Numbers were used by Production, Model Names by sales)

It is thought that the Rockne “65” & “75” used those numbers because they represented their approximate respective engine horsepower rating.  Where “10” for 1933 came from is anyone's guess.   Note that while the “Rockne 65” model code number did change from 30 to 31 as expected, the “Rockne 75” model code number remained the same.   Most believe that the “Rockne 75” was de-emphisized and did not even show up in most Rockne promotions.   It is thought that because the car remained essentially the same, the model code remained the same.  Some think the “75” was not produced in 1933, but it clearly was in production through June of 1933.

Both the Rockne models were powered by Studebaker L-head six engines.   The “75” by Studebaker's 205.3 cubic inch six, formally used in the 1931 Studebaker Six (the 1932 Studebaker Six would use a longer stroke 230.2 cubic inch Six).  This engine would make about 72 HP.   The “65” would use an all new design six.  This engine would be the third to last new engine to be designed by Studebaker.   Only the 1939 Champion six and the 1951 Studebaker V-8 would be designed later.  This new engine would power Studebaker's for the next 28 years.  See the chart below.

When the engine design was discontinued, it was making 118 HP, 52 more HP then where it began in 1932. It was one of the longest produced engines in American vehicle production.

Both Rockne's used Studebaker's free-wheeling and automatic Startix starting system.   The Rockne “65” was generally thought to be a significant improvement over the original Erskine of 1927 and was well received by the motoring press.  It was priced somewhat higher then Chevrolet, Ford, and Plymouth, but Studebaker was hoping it would be a sales success and it was as 23,709 Rockne's were sold.   Not as many as Erskine would have liked, but not bad for the depression years.   It out sold every other Studebaker Model.

The 110 inch wheel base Cole-Vail Rockne “65” went into production on February 22^nd, 1932 and was offered in five body styles in two trim levels, four-door sedan, coupe, coach (two-door sedan), convertible sedan, and convertible roadster.   The two door couple was offered with or without rumble seat, while the roadster always had a rumble seat.  The trim levels were Regular (Standard) and DeLuxe.   Wire wheels were used on all models.  DeLuxe cars came standard with duel sidemounts and the flying “R” hood ornament.

The 114 inch wheel base Roos Rockne “75” went into production December 15^th, 1931 and was offered in two body styles, four-door sedan and a coupe.   The 1932 “75” sales literature had an illustration of a convertible roadster and mentions a convertible sedan, but they were never produced.   Like the “65” the “75” was offered in regular and DeLuxe trim, and the coupe could be had with or without rumble seat.

The 1933 body styles for both Rockne's remained the same.  The “65” was renamed to the “10” and now had a Panel Delivery and Commercial Chassis offering.   The “10” body was lengthened to create a little more room inside, the overall height was reduced by one inch, mainly due to the use of 17 inch wheels in place of the 18 inch wheels of 1932, the front fenders were modified, and the HP was increased to 70 by increasing the compression ratio to 5.5:1.

Credit:

All of the information about the Rockne's on this website came from a Turning Wheels article (December 2004) written by Fred Fox.

Some of my own thoughts may have filtered in as I re-wrote the information to shorten what was contained in the original article.

The following charts are also from that article, but if there are any errors made during the transition to tables on this website, they are mine.  If you see any, please contact us using the “Contact Us” page of this website.

1932 Rockne “75” (Model 41) - Model, Price, and Weight Information

1933 Rockne “10” (Model 31) - Model, Price, and Weight Information

Specification: 1932-33 Rockne

Serial Numbers:

* Some sources list this as 961,299

The serial number is located on a plate riveted to the frame under the left front fender.

The serial number for the Panel Delivery Cars and Commercial Chassis was prefixed with a “P”.

Production:

1933 Rockne “10”'s were built in South Bend after Easter Weekend 1933.

Engine Numbers 1932-33 Rockne

Engine numbers on the Models 30 and 31 are stamped on top of the cylinder block on the left side above the distributor.

Engine numbers on the Model 41 are stamped on top of the cylinder block between the cylinder head and the water pump.

Accessories:

See Mar/Apr 1985 Antique Studebaker Review for a very detailed listing of Rockne Accessories presented by Richard Quinn.

Other:

Salon horns that were accessories in 1932 became standard equipment on 1933 models, two on DeLuxe trim models and one left horn on Regular trim models.

However, because they were also available as extra cost items in 1932 their presence should not be used as an identification method between 1932 and 1933 models.