Visiting the heart of Studedom; The Studebaker National Museum.(South Bend, Indiana)(Brief Article)

When Studebaker was in business it sprinkled its large collection of historic cars throughout the halls and niches of its vast administration building in South Bend, Indiana. In the early 1960s, as the company downsized, the build-ing and its car collection were given to the city of

South Bend. Somehow the two were separated and the cars are now in the structure that once housed South Bend's Studebaker dealership.

Among the museum's features is a special exhibit of eight Studebaker President models, dated 1929 to 1933, set up in the dealership's old showroom area. Each car has a story. The 1930 seven-passenger sedan belonged to the president of Portugal. A 1931 five-passenger close-coupled sedan appears to be restored, but closer inspection reveals it is, remarkably, still in original condition.

Around the corner from the President exhibit are several open models. The bright yellow 1935 Commander convertible coupe may look familiar; it was seen in the movie The Color Purple. It is equipped with Wig-Wag taillights, a barrel-shaped light hanging from a second taillight. The lower light swings back and forth as when carrying an old-fashioned lantern.

Looking out the showroom window is an impressionistic view of the Studebaker administration building. These days it does not look its best, but the setting conveys how important the Studebaker business once was. Between the building and the museum is Union Station, once part of the New York Central Railroad's main line. The Twentieth Century Limited stopped at Studebaker's front door.

The vehicles in the main exhibition area-the service area of the old dealership-are set tightly ...