Studebaker would use the Commander nameplate on and off between 1927 and 1964. In the 1950s, it was typically the mid-range model between the entry-level Champion and the decked-out President. This 1956 edition looks to be in outstanding condition (time capsule?) and is said to be a strong-running automobile. With an odometer reading of 37,000 miles, we’re told it’s mostly original except for some minor updates (such as in the interior). Located in Polk City, Florida, this rolling testimonial to an era that one was is available here on eBay for $12,500.
Still digesting the merger between Studebaker and Packard in 1954, the company managed to do a light restyle of its Studebaker-branded cars in 1956. When dual exhaust was ordered, the rear bumpers had cutouts for the exhaust pipes. Headlights gained eyebrows which gave them a more prominent appearance. An interesting new feature in the passenger compartment was the “Cyclops Eye” speedometer that resided atop the dashboard and above the other gauges. The electrical system was upgraded from six to 12 volts, providing a huge improvement. Commanders and Presidents used V8 engines, while the Champions settled for an inline-6.
Commander production, including the seller’s car, amounted to 23,544 units in 1956. That was broken down across 2 and 4-door sedans and station wagons in three trim levels. The 259 cubic inch V8 could come with two or four-barrel carburetion with the latter having dual exhaust. The change in horsepower was from 170 to 185 and we believe the side-mounted air cleaner (as in the seller’s car) was used due to limited space between the top of the intake manifold and the hood.
We’re told this Commander is a solid-running automobile that appears to need nothing. Except for the bottom of the front bench seat not having the same material as the back seat, everything looks like 1956 all over again. You’re not likely to find any corrosion or other issues with the body, above or below. This vehicle was owned by the same family for most of its life before the seller acquired it. The sale will include a few extra parts and a car cover. Wouldn’t this be a cool ride to take to Cars & Coffee in a sea of muscle cars and Japanese low-riders?
We have a winner in the “Most Torturous Intake Ducting:” Stakes.
Very nice, and i’m fascinated by that carb, it don’t look like something i ever saw. Side mounted air cleaner could indeed be because of the low hoodline. Early cold air setup. ;)
Early Oldsmobile Rockets had the same setup. Funky indeed
That carburetor kinda-sorta resembles a Stromberg two barrel WW. It definitely shares the accelerator pump configuration.
It’s a side draft Stromberg. Studebaker used these 2bbls for many years. The 4bbls were WCFBs from ’55-’62 or AFBs for ’63-’64.
It is a Stromberg WW.
Robert Proulx
It doesn’t get cold air.
It does in the winter
Yblocker
Only till the exhaust manifold is hot and it’s other source of air comes through the radiator. You don’t have to mention the thermostat.
“Different – By Design.”
True enough. But looking at that tortured styling…particularly of the greenhouse and C-pillar…and the illogical reverse-slant trunk lid…AND remembering, this was a relatively FRESH restyling in 1956…maybe Studebaker should have brought in Brook Stevens a few years earlier.
Today’s design language is far different, but I cannot conceive of a world where this was thought of as attractive. And I was not the only one…when Stevens did come in for a low-buck refresh of the Lark in 1962, the first thing he attacked was that awkward greenhouse.
It’s a “Packardbaker” I’ve always liked most Studebakers, at least from 53 up, never cared for the bullet nose split rear window jobs. That speedometer looks like an afterthought, kinda messes up an otherwise nice looking dash, they should’ve just given it a simple round speedometer in line with the other gauges. It’s pretty obvious this bodyshell spawned the Lark. Nice car, well cared for
Heck, most of this bodyshell (aside from the fenders, hood, and trunklid) dates back to the 1953 Champion sedan and carried through to the Lark until 1962, when Brooks Stevens substantially redesigned the central passenger cabin section among other comprehensive styling revisions.
Very unusual looking. Reminds me of a friends Studebaker wagon of similar vintage. These cars attract me not so much of their aesthetics but because they are so darn unique.
What is the purpose of the 1/2 chrome headlight “lids” on this car, or on any car on which they were ever added?
They’re for looks, they’ve been around for years
Those are for people that only want to use half of their headlights.
???
That Cyclops Eye is very different and cool.
I’m not sure I like the car, but Russ’s last sentence sums it for me: I’d walk past a row of GTO’s and Road Runners to take a look at this Studebaker.
I don’t know why someone would cover the seat bottom like that. SMS Auto Fabrics has the right stuff to match.
I can remember seeing these cars as a kid in the 1960’s…and just like now,I thought they were fugly.
That’s a beauty and I find the greenhouse as acceptable as any of the other 4dr sedans out there at the time. My ‘56 Scotsman was a business coupe. Loved the car and especially the manual transmission with OD which is present on this car but not mentioned.
That speedometer always looked like an afterthought, like they forgot to design the dash with one, and said, “Ah, just bolt one on top of the dash”.
Not a “light restyle”. A heavy facelift. Redesigned in the Packard school of style by dominant partner Packard. The Commander name was used into 1966.
The front end, heck, the whole car, looks like Soviet era cars, which were restyled Packards using, as I recall, machinery from Packard USA.
Astute observation, and true.
The car’s styling has a stuffy pretentious quality to it. The proportions are just a little wonky and its a little too upright as if car designers from Britain were making a car for the US.
Took another look at the ad photos, the paint looks to be like new condition. Quite a collectible car imho.