1934 President Model C

One would think that with Studebaker’s bankruptcy problems in 1933 that little if anything would be done in 1934, of coarse this was not the case, in fact an all new body shell, on a 123 inch wheelbase, was in store for the President this model year.   With pronounced streamlining, recessed trunk, a more rounded radiator grill, new bumpers, rear lights built in to the rear fenders, and an all new dash with a large clock like speedometer, every thing was new and different.  The oval headlights, a tradition since 1931 gave way to round pod style lights mounted on the front fenders.  However, everything for 1934 was on the skin, little would be done to the mechanical features of the car.  The 250 cubic-inch (former Commander) “B” engine was the only engine offered for 1934, gone was the prestigious 337 cubic-inch engine.  Studebaker, in a effort to spark sales offered the “Year Ahead” line, about June 26^th, 1934.  About 1,000 President’s were made after the change. 

The all new “Land Cruiser” was introduced for the first time, sometime in late April.  The majority of Land Cruisers would have the new “Year Ahead” styling, however some may have been manufactured with the original 1934 styling.  The “Land Cruiser” would be extensively featured at the Chicago “Century of Progress” exhibition, most likely in the summer of 1934.  The “Land Cruiser” was an early version of the fastback styling which was to come, and most likely borrowed design ques from Studebaker’s association with, and manufacture of, the Pierce Silver Arrow body.  Priced at something above $1,300, few President Land Cruisers were sold.  The Land Cruiser body style, would by the end of the year, have been release on both the Commander and Dictator lines.