In 1902, Studebaker entered the automobile business by adding a line of electric cars to their wagon production. Just one year later the Studebaker-Garford was the combined effort of the Studebaker Corporation of South Bend, Indiana and the Garford Manufacturing Company of Elyria, Ohio. Between 1906 and 1913, Studebaker acted only as the selling agent for cars made to their order and produced by other manufacturers. The Garford Manufacturing Company of Elyria, Ohio, made the more expensive models that were sold as Studebaker-Garfords. These models were favored by ladies and were intended for town use, shopping, visiting, and so forth.
This luxurious Model H landaulet (an automobile with a half-folding rear roof) was custom-made for Mrs. Bertha Palmer of Chicago, the widow of Potter Palmer, owner of the Palmer House Hotel. Their house was called “Palmer Castle,” and Mrs. Palmer was the grand dame of Chicago society. The car’s exterior is in her favorite shades of purple, Heliotrope (lighter) and Amaranth (darker) with red striping. The mauve velvet interior is accented with tapestry trim, beveled glass, and rich cherry wood.