Jack L. was not particularly a Studebaker fan when he got his ‘53 Commander two-door hardtop coupe about twenty years ago. He took it in partial payment for a debt and the car was in rough condition, needing a lot of work. But the unique, modern styling of the ‘53 Commander intrigued him and he spent about five years putting it back in good condition. That included doing the necessary body work, painting, re-upholstering, rebuilding the trans and doing a valve job on the engine. In the process, Jack has become very well versed on Studebakers and the story of the Commander. The ‘53 Commander was brought out as competition for the Corvette, but did not hit the showroom floors until January of 1953. By then, other car makers had had their models out for several months. These so-called “Loewy coupes” (named after design studio head Raymond Loewy) were considered then, as well as by many car afficionados now, as one of the best looking American cars made. In a time when American cars were tall, with high-rounded fenders, the Commander’s low, sleek lines were termed the “new European look.” With an overhead-valve V-8 engine, its power train was ahead of the game as well, with only Olds and Cadillac having the same. With the bank account almost dry, Studebaker needed a success. Unfortunately, the late release date meant fewer cars made that year and, due to poor market research, producing more of the unpopular four-door models than the coupes, sales were disappointing. However, the styling was so impressive and the lines so classic that Studebaker kept the design from 1953 until 1964, changing the model name, the hood and the deck lid, and even adding fiberglass fins for a time. The fact that Studebaker was able to sell a car in 1964 that had a design that was basically eleven years old says much for the beauty of it. Studebaker sputtered to a halt in 1966, having moved to Canada from South Bend, Indiana, in 1964, a sad end for a company that started making wagons in 1852. But fans like Jack have kept the mark alive with such organizations as the Studebaker Drivers Club. And that is what Jack does with his Commander: drives it. He has driven it with wife Peggy riding shotgun to SoCal for Route 66 in San Bernardino and a Studebaker Drivers Club event at the Queen Mary in Long Beach, as well as to Hot August Nights in Reno and all over NorCal. And he often gets a “thumbs up” from fans who recognize the car that was truly ahead of its time.

Jack’s Commander sits slightly lower than it did originally. This is due to aging springs and a trunk full of spare parts for when he’s on the road. After all, your local parts house is unlikely to have a Studebaker fuel pump in stock.

This 232 CID engine was rated at 120 HP and is mated to a Borg-Warner auto trans. Introduced in 1951, it is externally almost identical to the 289 CID engine used in 1964. The big cannister on top is the optional oil filter.

Jack has kept the interior completely stock with the minor exception of an added temperature gauge. It is has an open, roomy feel.

2010© Ron cherry