The Rise and Fall of Hupmobile: Innovation, Legacy, and the Rare Skylark

 Following a successful career with Oldsmobile, Ford, and Regal, automotive pioneer Robert Craig Hupp founded the Hupp Motor Car Company in 1909 in Detroit, Michigan. His early venture into car manufacturing quickly gained traction with the introduction of the Hupmobile Model 20—a compact, affordable, and durable vehicle known for its reliability and fuel efficiency.

The Model 20’s reputation for endurance was solidified when one completed a transcontinental journey from San Francisco to New York in just 48 days. This achievement boosted public confidence and propelled Hupmobile into the national spotlight.

 

 

As the company grew, it expanded its offerings with larger and more sophisticated models to appeal to a broader market. However, in 1911, Robert Hupp left the company following disagreements with the board of directors. Hupmobile pressed on, and its 1912 Model 32, notable for its all-steel body construction, became the flagship model in the years leading up to World War I.

In 1925, Hupmobile made a bold move into the luxury automobile segment with the introduction of the Hupp 8. Equipped with a smooth eight-cylinder engine and upscale features, the car attracted wealthier buyers and expanded the brand’s prestige.

 

 

However, like many automotive companies of the era, Hupmobile was hit hard by the Great Depression. Despite efforts to appeal to more cost-conscious consumers, financial struggles mounted. In 1936, the company attempted a major comeback, but fierce competition and economic realities proved too much.

After Cord went bankrupt in 1937–1938, Hupmobile purchased the body dies for the sleek Cord 810/812 models. To bring these designs to market, Hupmobile partnered with Graham-Paige, another struggling automaker. Graham provided a modern factory, and both brands produced cars using the Cord bodies but under different names. Graham introduced the Hollywood, featuring a supercharged engine and rear-wheel drive, producing approximately 1,600 units.

 

Hupmobile did not manufacture cars in 1937 but resumed production in 1938 and 1939. In 1940, it launched the Hupmobile Skylark, also built on the Cord body but powered by a 6-cylinder engine with rear-wheel drive. Only 319 Skylarks were produced in 1940, and the company went bankrupt the same year. Unsold cars were later re-titled and marketed as 1941 models.

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1940 Hupmobile Skylark ~ owner Alan Weinstein 

 

 For the DIY Car Enthusiasts: Keep Your Classic Shine Alive

Whether you’re restoring a vintage beauty like the Hupmobile or just keeping your daily driver looking its best, here are some top-rated detailing products on Amazon we recommend:

• Mothers Clay Bars – Perfect for removing embedded contaminants and leaving your paint silky smooth.
• Cerakote Paint Sealant – Offers long-lasting protection with an easy spray-on, wipe-off formula.
• Cerakote Trim Restorer – Revives faded plastic trim and keeps it looking new for months. 

   Restore. Protect. Admire.

Get the pro-level shine your car deserves—right from your own garage. 

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