The Rockne was an American automobile brand produced by the Studebaker Corporation of South Bend, Indiana from 1932-1933. The brand was named for University of Notre Dame football coach Knute Rockne. Discussions between Studebaker and Knute Rockne began in 1928. Rockne was offered a high-visibility job by Studebaker president Albert Erskine. Studebaker planned for a durable, inexpensive car. The Rockne would replace the slow-selling, unduly expensive Erskine car. ( See video of a 1928 Erskine ). On March 31, 1931, 12 days after being appointed manager of sales promotion, Knute Rockne was killed in an airplane crash. In September, 1931, George M. Graham, formerly of Willys-Overland, was named sales manager of the new Rockne Motor Corporation. Two models were approved for production, the "65" on 110 inch wheelbase and the "75" on a 114 inch wheelbase. The "75" was based on the Studebaker Six, while the "65" was based on designs by Vail and Cole, the two engineers under contract for Willys-Overland. The "75" was designed under Studebaker's head of engineering, Delmar "Barney" Roos. Production of the Rockne "75" began at South Bend on December 15, 1931. The smaller "65" went into production at the old E-M-F plant on Piquette Avenue in Detroit, February 22, 1932. This was the same plant at which the 1927 and 1928 Erskine models had been built. The Rockne also went into production at Studebaker's Canadian plant at Walkerville, Ontario, near Windsor. The 1933 Rockne line was reduced to one line, the "10". The Rockne "10" was an update of the "65". When Studebaker went into receivership on March 18, 1933, it was decided to move production of the Rockne to the Studebaker plant in South Bend. The Rockne "10" was built in South Bend from April through July, 1933. The Rockne "65/10" engine would replace all the six-cylinder Studebaker car engines then in production and power Studebaker Dictator and Commander cars until World War II. This engine would also power postwar Commanders and Land Cruisers until the V8 became available for 1951. This engine would also be the larger of two six cylinder engines offered in trucks through 1960. Although the Rockne was not a success, its failure was a product of the times. The year 1932 was the bottom of the depression, not a good time to introduce a new name. Leftover Rocknes were sent to Norway in kits, where they were reassembled and sold. This Studebaker spin-off, the Rockne, lasted only 16 months in production. This example here is basically a factory car. Sure, it has updated dash gauges, interior seating, door panels, and rumble seat, engine and transmission, but the total exterior look is certainly factory. The paint is custom which looks nice. The beltline is in a contrasting darker red. Notice the Rockne name plate on the upper radiator, the " R " on the wheel covers, the mounted spare tires and cowl lights, the dual nickel step pad to enter the rumble seat, and the rear cabin window crank for ventilation. Once again an old rare car has been updated to travel today's roads. I can't see an original old car being safe for anyone if it isn't updated to travel long distances. Thanks very much for viewing this short-lived Studebaker spin-off, the 1932 Rockne 75 Coupe.
