The Studebaker Big Six was an automobile produced by the Studebaker Corporation of South Bend, Indiana, between 1918 and 1926, being designated the Model EG (1918–21), the EK (1922–24), and the EP (1925–26); its name was due to the 127-inch wheelbase in comparison to the Studebaker Special Six at 120 in.Model data at Studebaker Drivers' Club website In 1927, it was renamed the President (ES), pending introduction of a smaller and smoother straight-eight engine for new top-of-the-range models after January 1928.Maurice D. Hendry Studebaker: One can do a lot of remembering at South Bend in Automobile Quarterly, Vol X, No 3, 1972, p. 239
Early models
All Studebaker models for 1918 represented an important milestone for the automaker, because they represented a clean break from the legacy of E-M-F Studebaker had been producing.
Between 1918 and 1920, the Big Six was offered only as a four-door touring car, the most popular body style for automobiles at the time. As the price of enclosed cars came down and consumers discovered the benefits of closed and semiclosed passenger compartments, a wider variety of body styles was made available beginning with the 1921 model year. By 1926, the Big Six was available in a variety of body styles, including a dual-cowl phaeton and a berline (sedan).
The 1918 and 1919 Big Sixes were powered by Studebaker's 354 cu in (5.8-liter) straight-six engine, which produced at 2000 rpm. By 1926, the engine was delivering at 2400 rpm. The car's wheelbase varied between 1918 and 1926, when the car was available in either short or long wheelbases.
Studebaker's EK Big Six was popular with rum runners for its large size and ability to reach up to ; its C$3000 price was not a deterrent. Windsor Public Library online (retrieved 13 June 2017)
1920s production
In the 1920s, 12 of the 14 Arizona counties issued Studebakers to their sheriffs, because of their reputation for power, reliability, and ability to withstand hard use and bad roads. In 1925, the company published a pamphlet about the Arizona sheriffs' Studebakers, and named their Big Six Sport Phaeton model the "Sheriff". One of the Arizona sheriffs' Big Six cars has been restored, and is on display at the Arizona Historical Society museum in Tucson.History of Pima County Sheriff's Department
At the 1924 New York Auto Show, Studebaker featured a 1918 Big Six that had a verified odometer reading over , as a testament to the longevity and durability of Studebaker vehicles.
Big Six President
In 1927, the model gained the transitional model name Big Six President, as Studebaker began the process of converting all of its model names away from engine type-based names, and toward the more evocative Dictator (Standard Six) and Commander (Special Six). In the case of the Big Six President, 1928 marked the introduction of Studebaker's famed 313 cu in Straight-8, which developed at 2600 rpm. The larger, straight-six engine was used in the GB Commander before being replaced with a 248 cu in engine in 1929, marking the end of the line for the famous Big Six.
These sixes were the last descendants of rugged cars designed for poor roads in the early 20th century—loaded with torque and massively strong in construction. They were not suited to the higher cruising speeds made possible by better roads in later years.Maurice D. Hendry Studebaker: One can do a lot of remembering at South Bend in Automobile Quarterly, Vol X, No 3, 1972, p. 259
Standard Big Six Sedan specifications (1926 data) Color - Studebaker blue with black upper structure Seating capacity – Seven Wheelbase - Wheels - Wood Tires - balloon Service brakes - contracting on rear Emergency brakes - contracting drum on rear of transmission Engine - Six cylinder, vertical, cast en bloc, ; head removable; valves in side; NACC rating
Lubrication - Force feed Crankshaft - Four bearing Radiator – Tubular Cooling – Water pump Ignition –Battery Starting system – Two unit Voltage – Six to eight Wiring – Single Fuel feed – Vacuum Clutch – Dry plate, single disc Transmission –3-speed manual (3 forward, 1 reverse)) sliding Final drive – Spiral bevel gear Rear springs – Semi-elliptic Rear axle – Semi-floating Steering gear – Worm and roller
Standard equipment
New car price included the following items: Boyce MotoMeter automatic windshield cleaner shock absorbers inspection lamp and cord bumpers front and rear spare tire rear view mirror headlight dimmer thief-proof lock
clock smoking case vanity case dome light and corner lights
Optional equipment The following was available in new models at an extra cost: Hydraulic four-wheel brakes with disc wheels Spare wheel
See also Carl Breer
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