Erskine (United States)

Erskine was a small car brand produced by the Studebaker Corporation from 1927 to 1930. The brand was named after Albert Russel Erskine, who served as the president of Studebaker. Positioned as a companion make to Studebaker's larger vehicles, Erskine aimed to offer a European-style quality small car, often referred to as "The Little Aristocrat."

The Erskine utilized a proprietary engine, specifically a 2392cc six-cylinder Continental Model 8F, which distinguished it from other Studebaker models. While many components were sourced from external suppliers, the bodies were manufactured at Studebaker's Detroit factory. The design of the Erskine was led by Ray Dietrich, with engineering contributions from Leon A. Chaminade. Initial prototypes featured unique elements such as fixed wire wheels with detachable rims and an electric fuel pump, although these features were replaced in production models with wooden wheels and a vacuum fuel feed.

Upon its launch, Erskine offered four body styles: tourer, sedan, business coupe, and custom coupe. The pricing was relatively high for the time, with the sedan priced at $975, compared to competitors like the Essex Six and Super Six, which were priced at $735 and $795, respectively. Despite the higher price point, Erskine achieved sales of 24,893 units in its first year, maintaining similar sales figures throughout its production run.

In 1929, the engine capacity of the Erskine was increased to 2528cc with the introduction of the Continental 9F engine. By 1930, the model featured a 3364cc Studebaker Six engine and an extended wheelbase, which grew from 109 to 114 inches. As the Erskine began to resemble smaller Studebaker models, it was renamed the Studebaker Six in May 1930. Overall, the total production of Erskine vehicles exceeded 95,000 units during its brief existence.