A 1926 STUDEBAKER ERSKINE SEDAN 1926 Studebaker Erskine Seda...

Estimate

£3,000 - £4,000

A 1926 STUDEBAKER ERSKINE SEDAN
1926 Studebaker Erskine Sedan
Offered with No Reserve
In current family ownership for 50+ years
For light restoration
Manufactured for only four years, Erskine was a short-lived companion marque to Studebaker. Having made a fortune out of wagon making, the Studebaker Brothers Manufacturing Company built the first of its own automobiles - an ‘electric’ designed by Thomas Alva Edison - in 1902 and its first gasoline-powered motor car – an 8hp twin - late in 1903.
Four-cylinder models were added and then in 1913 came Studebaker’s first six-cylinder automobile - the Model E. By 1920 all Studebakers were sixes; robust and reliable cars that did much to build Studebaker’s reputation, they were somewhat lacking in ‘class’ according to company President Albert Russell Erskine, who initiated a programme to develop an entirely new model line. Given the marque name ‘Erskine’, this was unashamedly European in inspiration. Introduced for 1927 and powered by a 146cu in (2.3-litre) Continental engine, the Ray Dietrich-styled ‘Little Aristocrat’ was built on a 108” wheelbase chassis and did indeed prove a big success in Europe. The Erskine was hailed as the star exhibit at the Paris Salon and 2,000 orders were taken at the Olympia Motor Show in London. Back in the USA however, the Erskine’s small (by American standards) engine and relatively high price counted against it. Studebaker upped the engine size and increased the wheelbase, but that only narrowed the gap between Erskine and the mainstream Studebakers from which it was no longer clearly differentiated. After a mere four years in production the Erskine was absorbed into the main Studebaker line-up for 1931 as the Series 53 Six.
Understood to have formerly served as a New York City taxi, this well-travelled Studebaker has been in current ownership for we believe in the region of 50 years, our current vendor having acquired the car previously from an aunt. Dry stored for a number of years now, the Studebaker is now being sold on behalf of the estate, to the highest bidder on the day.