The Final Year-1966 Studebaker Commander Magazine Print Ad
This ad promoted the virtues of Studebaker's entry level car model in magazines of that era, The Commander competed against the AMC Rambler, Plymouth Valiant, Ford Falcon and Chevrolet Corvair among others.
In December of 1963 Studebaker executives closed the main South Bend plant and consolidated production at the smaller plant in Hamilton, ON. Several models were dropped and budgets were cut.
By the time of the final '66 model year just enough money was allocated to the automotive subsidiary for a facelift including a new grill and a return to single headlamps. Ad agency W.B. Doner, working with a shoestring budget, came up with the "Studebaker: The Common Sense Car" theme the previous model year. Gone were the full color print ads and sponsorship of the Mr. Ed TV show of the past, replaced by simpler, black and white ads.
In March of 1966 Studebaker Corporation pulled the plug on its automotive division and the last car rolled off the line. By then Studebaker had evolved into a diversified holding company and the automotive division was a drag on earnings.
Studebaker continued on as the Studebaker-Worthington Corporation with a headquarters in NYC and revenue of $1 billion annually before it was acquired in 1979 by McGraw Edison and the Studebaker name disappeared.
Original print ad in my collection of Studebaker memorabilia and books.
The Final Year-1966 Studebaker Commander Magazine Print Ad
This ad promoted the virtues of Studebaker's entry level car model in magazines of that era, The Commander competed against the AMC Rambler, Plymouth Valiant, Ford Falcon and Chevrolet Corvair among others.
In December of 1963 Studebaker executives closed the main South Bend plant and consolidated production at the smaller plant in Hamilton, ON. Several models were dropped and budgets were cut.
By the time of the final '66 model year just enough money was allocated to the automotive subsidiary for a facelift including a new grill and a return to single headlamps. Ad agency W.B. Doner, working with a shoestring budget, came up with the "Studebaker: The Common Sense Car" theme the previous model year. Gone were the full color print ads and sponsorship of the Mr. Ed TV show of the past, replaced by simpler, black and white ads.
In March of 1966 Studebaker Corporation pulled the plug on its automotive division and the last car rolled off the line. By then Studebaker had evolved into a diversified holding company and the automotive division was a drag on earnings.
Studebaker continued on as the Studebaker-Worthington Corporation with a headquarters in NYC and revenue of $1 billion annually before it was acquired in 1979 by McGraw Edison and the Studebaker name disappeared.
Original print ad in my collection of Studebaker memorabilia and books.