DB #0021 - 1953 Studebaker Mechanical Power Steering

[bubenator]

What is this?  Who used it and when?
Can you find me a picture of a real one?

[bubenator]

Experts!

[Craig Gillingham]

Is it some sort of mechanical driven power steering?

[bubenator]

Yes, it is a mechanical power steering system.
Can you tell me when and where this one was used?

[Craig Gillingham]

I found this setup on a 1953 Studebaker Champion, which is similar.

[bubenator]

You are absolutely correct!  This is the mechanical power steering system for the 1953 Studebakers.

Studebaker actually thought that they could produce this system more cost-effectively than developing a hydraulic power steering system similar to what the other major automakers were introducing in the early 1950's.  Once production started, many customers complained about the surprisingly large amount of mechanical noise that the system produced, so Studebaker quickly went back to the drawing board, engineered a regular hydraulic system, and retrofitted nearly all of the mechanically-equipped cars.

I have the same article that you found.  I'll post it in its entirety along with the original puzzle picture.

[Craig Gillingham]

I've since found this newspaper article of one as well.