Featured in this lot is this 1945-55 bottom half of a Studebaker neon sign made by Walker & Company in Detroit, Michigan. From 1852 to 1967, the American company Studebaker produced automobiles. Originally a manufacturer of wagons and carriages, Studebaker switched to the manufacture of automobiles in the early 20th century and rose to fame for building well-liked, premium automobiles. In 1904, the business unveiled its first gasoline-powered vehicle, which quickly earned a reputation for dependability and quality construction. The Model 25, the first automobile to have an all-steel body and thus be more dependable and secure than other vehicles at the time, was introduced by Studebaker in 1913. The Dictator, the Commander, and the President were just a few of the well-known models Studebaker continued to make throughout the 1920s and 1930s. In order to supply the Allied forces with trucks and other equipment during World War II, Studebaker switched its production to military vehicles. Following the war, Studebaker unveiled a number of new models, among them the recognizable Starliner and the athletic Hawk. But by the 1950s, the business was finding it difficult to compete with bigger, more reputable automakers, and in 1954, it merged with the Packard Motor Car Company. Despite these initiatives, Studebaker kept losing market share; as a result, it stopped making cars in 1966. This sign is only the bottom half of the large original sign. The sign shows a navy blue background in the middle with two white lines painted around the edges of the sign in a teal blue background. The lettering is painted white. The bottom of the sign shows the makers mark in white lettering reading, "Walker & Co. / Detroit". The sign used to house neon lighting components but have since been removed. The holes in the lettering would have held the neon lights. The sign shows fair condition with rusting and chipping to the paint and lettering throughout, but is still in good display condition. The sign measures 1" L x 24 1/8" W x 94" H.