In its final years, Studebaker was in financial peril from one year to the next, although the 1959 compact Lark brought some short-term hope. But, just before Christmas of 1963, Studebaker stopped producing cars in the U.S., shifting production to Canada for its last 30 months. This 1964 Commander was produced during this period though we don’t know which side of the U.S./Canadian border it may have been assembled. Shut away in a shipping container for more than 30 years, the auto looks to be in solid condition (based on the photos provided). The container and car are in George Town, Washington, and this lost classic is available here on craigslist for what may be a reasonable $2,300. Once again, Pat L. comes up with a great tip!
Studebaker gave the Lark a facelift in 1964 and chose to phase out the name in favor of Challenger, Commander, Daytona, and Cruiser as its models. The Commander was a rather basic offering, using a 170 cubic inch inline-6 and a 3-speed manual transmission (as we believe is the case with the seller’s car). It was a sad day in South Bend, Indiana when the last car rolled off the assembly line there. Shifting production to Hamilton, Ontario enabled operations to last into 1966 (but the Avanti and Hawk were both gone).
The company managed to crank out 36,700 autos in 1964, of which a third or 12,600 would be Commanders. Along the lines of how American Motors positioned its products, Studebaker’s advertising would refer to these machines as “common sense cars” which from my experience was true. We don’t know how the seller’s Stude ended up in this container three decades ago, and it appears to share the space with a Lincoln of some sort.
We don’t know if the Commander was running when it went into storage, but it likely doesn’t operate now. At least the seller makes no claims of it being functional. But if you were to clean out the fuel system, give it a tune-up, and put in a battery, maybe it will fire up. The body seems to be okay and what we see of the interior looks quite nice, although probably musty from being locked up all these years. At the seller’s price point, this could be a classic vehicle to take a chance on, although it’s not sexy or powerful.
First thing I would is get that front license plate changed! Perhaps this beast has been locked away for decades for a reason?? Better prop that hood up when you stick your head under it!…Buyer Beware….
You never know they are rats in that area that could chew their way through the container.
First thing I would is get that front license plate changed!
Could it be SATAN?!
There are front and back plates in WA.. Both are on the car in the pics.You sound like church lady from a decades old SNL skit.character.
Cooter that might be Christine’s little brother…lol..
Bet it’s real clean underneath being a WA car.Like to see better pics of the sides and under hood.If this was closer I’d pick it up.Can’t beat a 6cyl. with a three speed .I’d leave the plates on it and register them in my state which they allow.Bet this old gal would fire up with little effort.Neat car for a fair price.The Lincoln behind it looks to be a bustle back type from the early 80’s.Yuck.Never liked them or the Sevilles with that ugly rear end.glwts.
You could probably make a deal with the seller to deliver it to you. It’s already packed into a container!
By far the best looking of the “bustle back” cars from the ’80s was the ’81-’83 Imperial. Likely the best engineered as well.
Yes, everyone still remembers fondly how reliable that Chrysler Lean Burn technology was.
My Dad picked up 63 Commander for couple hundred in 1969 wirh only a vibrating U Joint.. The 3 on the tree had an electric OD. In 1971 at 19 years old, I drove it from VA, to St Louis to Tampa to Key West, and back to Alexandria, Va.. Ugliest car ever, but ran like a sewing machine. If only the designer’s could get it right!
The license plate hints at the possibility of Christie’s sister ….
On a serious note, the state late registered and the incredible rust on the rim should raise big concern for the undercarriage and frame.
This is a South Bend Indiana built car. All Canadian cars had solid white steering wheels.
Lots of bargains on the, what is the equivalent to the darkside of the moon from me” A nice old fun bargain car that everyone can pile in and go here and there on fun days and not go broke on fuel. The equivalent to my 72 Valiant 4 door. I bought a car in Oregon about 17 years ago and the transport to the east was twice what I paid for the car. I shutter to think what a non functioning unit would cost today. Nice copy, complete, shows nice and easily made to run.