In late March 1931, Studebaker announced that Knute Rockne had been appointed the role of promotional manager of the Studebaker Corporation. Rockne would not leave his position as Head Coach of the Notre Dame football team but his role would be primarily as a public relations advocate. However, shortly thereafter Rockne was killed in an airplane crash and therefore the Rockne automobile production would serve as a memorial to him.

The Rockne was available in five different body styles, two inline six-cylinder engine sizes, as well as two different chassis lengths; these were called Model 65 and Model 75. The Model 65 runs with a 66-hp unit with a 110-inch wheelbase and the Model 75 pulled 75-hp on a 114-inch wheelbase chassis.

Very clean styling is signified throughout this Model 65 Sedan that is immediately recognizable by the two angled radiator shell trim moldings. Initially introduced by Studebaker to compete with the lower priced Fords, production lasted just over a year with 23,201 total units being built. The Rockne plant in Detroit closed Easter weekend of 1933.