Studebaker National Museum acquires rare 1930s IndyCar
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Officials at the Studebaker National Museum in South Bend are racing to share the news of their latest acquisition.
The museum announced this week it has acquired a historic, factory-built Indianapolis 500 car. The #34 Studebaker Special is one of five Studebaker factory builds that competed in the 1932 and 1933 Indianapolis 500 races.
The car, believed to be the only surviving factory car with its 1933 coachwork, is on display now in the museum’s AM General Atrium. It will be showcased in a special exhibition next summer. Museum officials say acquiring an IndyCar has been a top priority for years.
“This is a day I never thought would come, and am overjoyed to have #34 back home in South Bend,” Museum Archivist Andrew Beckman said in a news release.
Studebaker first entered the five factory-built cars in the 1932 race where the team’s top finisher took third place. The other cars finished in sixth, 13th, 15th and 16th, respectively. The cars were powered by Studebaker’s 337 cubic-inch President inline eight-cylinder engine and the cars’ chassis used other parts source from the Studebaker factory.
The team re-entered cars in the 1933 race with new, streamlines bodies. The #34 car, acquired by the museum, finished best of its team in seventh place. Its driver took home a $1,300 prize.
“Studebaker’s Indianapolis 500 racing team was one of the Speedway’s largest factory-backed campaigns and represents an almost mythical era of Studebaker history,” Beckman said. “The Studebaker Specials’ competition included entrants from legendary builders Harry Miller and Fred Duesenberg and the team skillfully showcased Studebaker’s top-notch engineering and reliability.”
Several owners took possession of the #34 car over the years. In 1957, industrial designer Brooks Stevens acquired it, restored it and placed it in his private museum in Mequon, Wisconsin. August Grasis of Kansas City, Missouri, purchased the car in 1996, after Stevens’ death. The Grasis family entered the car in vintage racing events, most recently including the 2021 Weathertech International Challenge at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin.
“Adding the #34 Car to the Collection allows the museum to connect the history of Indiana’s signature automotive event, the Indianapolis 500, with its most prominent automotive manufacturer,” Museum Executive Director Patrick Slebonick said in the news release. “When the opportunity to acquire this remarkable vehicle became available, the local community and Studebaker enthusiasts rallied to make this dream a reality.”
The Studebaker National Museum is just west of downtown South Bend at 201 Chapin St. Its hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $11 for adults, $9.50 for seniors and $7 for youth. More information about planning a visit is available on the museum’s website at studebakermuseum.org.