Studebaker National Museum Exhibits 5 Historic Cars in ‘Five Driven Women’

The Studebaker National Museum’s latest exhibition — “Five Driven Women,” running from June 3 to July 19, 2026 — features three historic vehicles from Jack Boyd Smith Jr.’s The JBS Collection and explores how automobiles expanded freedom, opportunity and independence for women during the early 20th century. The exhibition coincides with the eighth annual Concours d’Elegance at Copshaholm, copresented by The JBS Collection and LaVine Restorations Inc., July 10-11.

Presented by the Studebaker National Museum — with special thanks to The JBS Collection, The Singleton Collection, the Classic Car Club of America Museum, and LaVine Restorations — “Five Driven Women” brings together rare automobiles and compelling personal stories to highlight the lives of five trailblazing women and examine how mobility helped redefine women’s roles in American society during a period of profound social change, museum officials said in a press release.

Among the five vehicles are three from Smith Jr.’s renowned assemblage: a 1928 Hudson Series O Town Car that belonged to socialite Maribel Schumacher; the 1934 Packard Twelve 1108 Custom Convertible Dietrich Sedan originally commissioned by female explorer and adventurer Louise Arner Boyd; and the iconic 1937 Cord 812 Phaeton Convertible owned by, and famously photographed with, legendary American aviator Amelia Earhart.

“All five of these automobiles tell incredible stories that extend well beyond transportation,” said Smith, whose collection is ranked No. 82 worldwide by The Classic Car Trust’s The Key publication. “These vehicles represent ambition, courage, exploration and independence. The women featured in this exhibition challenged expectations and expanded what was possible in their lives and in their respective fields. We are honored to share three of our vehicles with the Studebaker National Museum and help bring these important stories to a broad audience during one of this region’s most exciting weeks of the year for automotive enthusiasts.”

Through these historically significant vehicles, the exhibit — which also presents the Brass Era 1912 Simplex Torpedo previously owned by athlete Eleanora Sears, and the 1930 Packard 740 owned by philanthropist Margaret Dunning — reveals how the automobile became a powerful symbol of personal independence and possibility, and helped women shape their own paths and gain the keys to their own freedom, noted the release.

Concours d’Élégance at Copshaholm Caps Exhibit Run July 10–11

The exhibition’s run culminates at the 2026 Concours d’Elegance at Copshaholm on July 11, when collectors, historians and enthusiasts from all over the world will gather on the grounds of the historic Copshaholm estate and the Studebaker National Museum campus. The 2026 Concours will feature a diverse array of significant automobiles and motorcycles, including celebrated American classics, coachbuilt luxury cars, transportation milestones, special anniversary classes, educational presentations, Junior Judging and family-focused programming.

“Automotive exhibitions often focus on the cars themselves, but in this case — thanks to the histories of these five automobiles — we can put a unique focus on the people whose lives were transformed by them,” said Patrick Slebonick, executive director of the Studebaker National Museum. “‘Five Driven Women’ is unlike anything we’ve presented before. It is an honor to highlight these remarkable and significant women through the stories of their extraordinary automobiles. We are thankful to The JBS Collection and Jack, whose support of our Copshaholm Concours has been crucial, and whose commitment to sharing his vehicles with the public is unmatched.”