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Estate Find: 1954 Studebaker Commander Starliner

The 1953-58 Studebakers benefitted from distinct styling provided by the famed Raymond Loewy Studio. They were both sleek and low in appearance, thus different than most of the boxy-looking cars that the major car manufacturers were building. The 1954 models would be the last before Packard merged with Studebaker to become Studebaker-Packard Corp. This ’54 Commander appears to be a Starliner Coupe and was part of a collection owned by the seller’s step-father who recently passed away. Located in South Bend, Indiana (where Studebaker was headquartered), this car is available here on eBay where the bidding has reached $3,275 and the seller acknowledges that the reserve is $5,000.

Commander was a name that Studebaker would use on and off for several years beginning in 1927. They would skip 1936 and 1959-63 before retiring the name in 1964 when the company was starting to wind down. They were built in Studebaker’s assembly plants in both South Bend and Hamilton, Ontario. As a rule, the Commander was Studebaker’s mainstream product, while the Champion was the junior model when they appeared in the line-up together.

1954 models would be little changed from 1953 and total Studebaker production that year would number 68,708 cars. The Commander would be nearly half that at 31,570 units and the Starliner just 5,040. Nothing like the numbers put up by Chevy, Ford, or any of the Chrysler brands. From the photos provided, it looks as though this ’54 Commander has spent a lot of time indoors in a big garage. There is at least one other vintage car in there as well. There some surface rust here and there and we’re not sure about the floorboards. The worse spot may be around where the radio antenna sits on the fender. If not attended to, that could turn into a hole. The seller doesn’t indicate any problems with the undercarriage. When new, it probably looked good with black or dark blue over light blue paint.

We’re told the car should be drivable once a new ignition switch is installed. The last time the seller’s father took the car out, the key broke in the ignition. He bought a new switch but didn’t get around to replacing it before passing, so the buyer gets that honor. This Studebaker is said to have a new set of tires and brakes. Presumably original to the car, the Commander used a 233 cubic inch OHV V8 that comes with an automatic transmission. The latter had three forward speeds but also a lock-up torque converter. The 259 V9 wouldn’t come out for another year.

The car’s red and grey interior is original and looks complete other than the carpeting and kick panels have been removed. The seats are described as being upholstered in leather, but it looks more like quality vinyl to me. Because of their “low rider” looks, this generation of Studebaker Commanders is popular even 65-plus years after they were new. We understand that parts availability is good and they’re not hard to work on, making them relatively inexpensive to own. This one may only be looking for some TLC and new paint. You’d have a seldom seen car in a sea of Tri Fives and Galaxies. If you should check out the car in person, why not stop by the Studebaker National Museum in South Bend. It’s on my list to visit.

Comments

  1. Avatar Cattoo Member

    Former owner it would appear has retired to the big ham radio shack in the sky. 73’s

    Like 12
  2. Avatar bobhess Member

    Still one of the best designs out there. I spent as much time sitting and looking at my ’53 as I did driving it. Nice cars. Hope this one gets a complete restoration.

    Like 14
  3. Avatar misterlou Member

    Wonderful museum. Houses Fozzie Bear’s ’51 Bullet-nosed Studebaker.

    Like 5
    • Avatar Bill McCoskey Member

      misterlou,

      Did you see how Fozzie Bear’s car was actually driven on the road during filming? They had a “small in stature” person in a tiny seat located in the trunk, who drove the car by watching a TV screen to see where to drive.

      Like 1
  4. Avatar allyn johnson

    east of ‘ol miss ham at that!!

    Like 2
  5. Avatar stillrunners

    Miles ahead at $5000 on this one……it’s a buy at that. The dash is out because he was trying to replace the ignition and if your in the Studebaker know – they used a LOT of aluminum keys !!!

    Like 7
    • Avatar Engident

      My dad’s 50 Champion had aluminum keys. I thought they were cheap copies, never occurred to me they might be original

      Like 3
  6. Avatar Vince H

    The Commander name was used till the end in 66. Being a South Bend car beware of rust.

    Like 2
  7. Avatar Vince H

    I see this was a Pennsylvania car at one time. Rust is hiding. Reserve hasbeen met.

    Like 3
  8. Avatar Don Sicura

    Oh how I would love to own this car, I’ve owned quite a few Lowey coupe 2 door post cars, even a 58 Packard Hawk, but never a 53 or 54 hard top, If I wasn’t so packed with cars at home, I’d own this one. My HOA is threatening me because I have so many cars, truth!

    Like 6
  9. Avatar Ron

    I presume the V9 engine which came out the next year was a one year only offering, seeing as how it had four cylinders on one side and five on the other, they never really got it to run smoothly;-)

    Like 6
    • Avatar Harold Griffin

      First time I heard of a V9, sounds interesting, car has a lot of potential. Would love to restore back to original & drive.

      Like 0
  10. Avatar RENE ANDRE

    Hi there!
    I am the one who purchased this `54 Studebaker Commander K Coupe. Let me tell you, all that seems well at first, isn’t when you receive it!
    This Studebaker had major issues and plenty of things wrong with it… here’s a list – let’s get into it!
    Wiring Issues galore. Every wire under the hood was no good. Everything had to be replaced. Every wire under the car was weather rotted and no good. All electrical wires to the exterior lighting were no good.
    The Engine did NOT run… or even fire! Still does not run. Turns over fine.
    Bad fuel pump
    Bad carburetor
    The engine was wired incorrectly
    Bad coil
    Bad spark plugs
    Bad spark plug wires
    Bad points and condenser
    Disconnected heater hoses (cut off0- because the heater leaks and the fan does not work
    defroster does work however
    mish-match of incorrect dash switches
    The uninstalled ignition switch was the wrong kind – I had to buy the right type.
    The radiator seems to hold coolant – for now!
    Starter does work –
    Generator is unknown
    The power steering pump was disconnected – as the power steering unit itself shows signs it was leaking terribly and probably needs to be rebuilt
    ALL INTERIOR GUAGES – WORK! The radio buzzes but won’t tune in. Bought a rebuilt radio to replace it – haven’t installed it yet!
    Lighter works well – the ashtray was difficult to pull out and it was full of old stinking stogies and ashes. The Radio speaker grill was coated with years of nicotine tars.[ glad it wasn’t my lungs inhaling that ]
    Dash lights were not working – replaced every bulb, and they work now.
    The gas gauge sending unit works! WOW
    Gas tank appears to have been replaced
    Don’t know about the brakes yet, because I have not taken a look at them. But, if they are anything at all like that rest of the car – I wouldn’t trust them.
    ( I think the guy who had this car was just a wanna-be tinkering hack and not a mechanic)
    All suspension bushings will need replacing – so will the shocks.
    Do not know if the rear axle is any good
    I will be replacing the U-joints at some point.
    BODYWORK and Brightwork – all body panels have some rusted-out areas – except the doors, hood, and trunk. Fenders and rear quarters will need major work
    The rear passenger side windows have broken mechanisms and do not work
    The door glass didn’t work – but after soaking the mechanisms with PB Blaster and Kroil – they work now… until I get the chance to take the doors apart.
    Vent Windows required great patience and more lubricants, and they open and close easily now and the locks work too!
    Door window wipe whiskers are nonexistent.
    All Glass seals are weather rotted and are no good
    The same goes for trunk weather seals and door weather seals
    All glass is usable and not broken – but is delaminating around the edges.
    The Tries on the car are Firestone Wide White Wall types – I don’t know their age and will trust them for road use. Hub Caps appear to be in good condition – And I have purchased a beautiful set to stainless wire wheel covers for it
    All original interior upholstery is NO GOOD! It is weather / high heated deteriorated and the door panels are ruined from water exposure – I have new door cards.
    The carpeting was replaced by cutting up bath carpets to fit the floor – but not sewn together. ( really cheap awful work )
    The steering wheel, shifter knob, turn indicator knob, and wiper switch knob are all weather-related cracked and crumbling apart. They’ll be difficult to replace.
    Kick panel air vents didn’t work – again – time, patience, and soaking with penetrates and lubrications – eventually, they unfroze and are working now.
    I have NEW air inlets and mechanisms for each side.
    All the Inner fender stone and mud shields are missing.
    The headlight buckets are nasty – have new ones to replace them with.
    Tail light housings were cobble-knobbed affairs – and I have them working – but they need to be replaced with new – no one carries them!
    Headlight chrome rings are checked
    The grille intake surrounds are heavily pitted – and are now “Unobtainium Parts ”
    Every single badge or chrome-plated hood and trunk ornament is pitted badly! I intend not to replace them and will eliminate them. I like the Studebaker K coupe slick and clean of all that anyway! [smoothed and decked custom]
    The headliner is full of mice nests! But the seats managed to survive – How does that work?
    Interior courtesy lights didn’t work, and the headliner overhead light was nasty from mouse pee corrosion and chewed-up wiring. I bought a new light
    housing, lens, and switch and rewired it. It works now, but I have not installed it.
    The door handles work and lock – but I don’t have keys for them! The same goes for the trunk – but the lock is to be eliminated and opened from the interior via a cable release system.
    The interior doorway wind lacing is toast – and I mean toasted crispy and crunchy.
    The seat adjuster mechanism didn’t work at all – bull the seat, drown it in PB Blaster and Kroil – now it works smooth and fine
    The rear seat are pulled too – and that awful middle arm support ended up in the “don’t use pile” Will install a 1955 unit that lowers and raises.
    Window trim surrounds and all good… just need refinishing.
    Chrome interior parts are all good, but the chrome is thin in places.
    The horn button was replaced with OEM new one. The old one was crazed.
    The rearview mirror is good – but I will install a later year stainless one.
    The BUMPERS are not the correct ones for this style of body – and are a bit too wide and stick out from the body. ( probably another flukey hack by the old man who was messing around with this car ) The rear bumper has twin reverse lights mounted smack dap in the higher part of the bumper and looks really gawd awful… plus they are rusted so badly they cannot be used.
    Cannot find any good used or new bumpers – yet!
    The rear fender stainless trim looks good – just needs buffing out. So do the windshield and rear window stainless. The Rain Gutter Stainless is very nice.
    The lower front air scoop is dinged and bent – sourced an OEM-NOS part of it.
    Also a dual muffler rear lower valance – cue the Flowmasters, vroom – vroom
    Not ONE ding or dent in the hood or trunk! Amazing.
    Hood hinges are total crap – will replace them.
    Windshield Wipers work, and purchased the arms with OEM-NOS stainless arms and chrome bezels.
    Radio antenna was broken off – will replace it.
    Have new proper outside mirrors for this car.
    Horns didn’t work – replaced them with twin trumpets from a truck! Haven’t installed them.
    The outside door jam – rockers look good – but the underside of the rockers will have to be replaced with new sheet metal. Typical!
    Doors posts seem good – so far.
    Floor needs some minor work – not not complete replacing. Trunk floor is good. Can’t hardly believe the original jack, tire iron, and spare tire were in this car.
    Lots and lots of work to do before this `54 Studebaker Commander K Coupe sees the road.
    I paid over $10,000 dollars for this deceptive gilded lilly turd. Plus shipping on top of that! I expected much more than what I got based the description. Imagine my disappointment and the cuss words as I dug into this, over hyped car, and discovered I had been duped like a kid at the carnival!
    My only hold-up has been due to a terrible accident I had which nearly caused my death. I needed four craniotomies and six months of rehabilitation. I am barely functioning currently.

    My plan is resto-refurbish this Studebaker – paint it a cool 1955 T-Bird Sea Sprite Green – with a Cream Top – and re-upholstered it with a Tuck and Roll creme-yellow luxuriant marine grade upholstery. I will have custom made carpeting for it that pairs well with the interior upholstery. That’s the plan!

    Good Grief – wish me luck!

    .

    Like 1

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