By 1965, Studebaker as a car builder was on its last legs. During the 1964 model year, it discontinued producing cars in the U.S., having shifted its remaining operations to Hamilton, Ontario. The company would soldier on for another year before throwing in the towel. But that didn’t mean they weren’t still making good vehicles; they just couldn’t sell enough of them. This ’65 Commander is a nice survivor, powered by a Chevrolet V8 because they had ceased building their own power. Located in Longview, Oregon, this sweet “Chevybaker” is available here on craigslist for $5,700. Once again, Barn Finder Gunter Kramer comes through in the tips department!
Saying that Chevies powered 1965 and 1966 isn’t 100% accurate. They were “McKinnon” motors (the sixes and eights) purchased from General Motors Canada. Buyers had their choice between a 230 cubic inch I-6 or the 283 V8 (2-barrel with 195 hp). We’re told that’s what’s under the hood of this car and it’s original at 83,000 miles. Since it’s paired with an automatic transmission, we assume there’s a 2-speed Powerglide lurking down below.
In 1964, the Commander had been the mid-level model but was demoted (sort of) when the entry-level Challenger was cut out due to low sales. As the story goes, this Studebaker has spent most of its life in Oregon State. It looks to have been well-kept, though its history isn’t elaborated upon. Some recent work has been done, such as a rebuild of its heater hardware. No other repairs are mentioned, yet we’re told the vintage Commander runs, drives, and stops as it should.
The body and paint look fine, and the seller says the floors are solid. The original rubber floor covering was removed because of age and the interior presents well overall. The seller is moving, which explains the need to sell the vehicle. However, certain trades are not out of the question, especially a Ford station wagon from the same era (Ranch Wagon, Country Sedan, or Country Squire). To help in your evaluation of this Canadian Studebaker, the seller has a video for your perusal. 50 years later, it’s still a shame that Studebaker couldn’t stay afloat.
I have a ’65 two door for sale. Chevy straight six paired with a 3 speed Borg-Werrner taxi cab transmission from the factory.
Thomas,,give me your number and condition of car
Don’t think these were equipped with the Powerglide, Studebaker used Borg-Warner automatics. When they switched to GM power for ’65 models they sourced an adapter from Checker that was using similar Chevy small block V-8’s and sixes. This one looks like a good deal at that price, not many left for sure. By 1970 this would have been an orphaned used car nobody wanted, even with the Chevy motors. When a good used 5 year old car was 800 to a 1000 bucks a Used Stude was 300. (Remember no internet to source parts) By the mid 70’s these were almost all gone.
I remember reading about Stude going out of business in 66 and how the company was going to supply parts for 10 yrs,,guess what Stude parts are still avaiable,,more than I can say for the new vehicles,,I needed a grill for a 2016 chev pick up grill was discontinued,,others would work but not the original, NO factory or after mrkt,, yea it was a special low volume grill but…..
Wow…..so glad your wrong about them being gone.
There were never many to begin with. Studebaker was done with autos by this time – the Canada Lark was just to avoid legal liability by discontinuing auto-manufacture with a dealer network ready to sue. This was to starve the dealers out – offering an unappealing model, only one, and telling the dealers to lump it.
Studebaker, by this time, had fantasies of becoming a conglomerate – STP additives, Gravely tractors, ALCO locomotives, Onan generator products. Soon to buy Worthington mining equipment manufacture. And the Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966, was what finally got them to pull the plug. They were not going to redesign the Lark for compliance, and they hadn’t the ability to engineer emissions equipment.
As noted, the transmission remained a Borg-Warner item…Studebaker had always used them. Checker, converting to GM engines, had designed a bell housing to use B-W transmissions, and Studebaker bought them to combine the two.
It’s a shame Studebaker didn’t make it; but – this needs emphasis – in the end, that was their CHOICE. They were offered deals with both Nissan and Toyota, and rejected both. A European investor pool offered to buy the Studebaker name and the Hamilton plant, leaving the parent company free to move on. They refused. They fired CEO Sherwood Egbert, while he was on medical leave for cancer surgery; and they insulted and derided Canadian GM Gordon Grundy. A bean counter, Byers Burlingame, was the CEO by this time. He had about as much imagination and energy as a potted plant; and Studebaker, about 15 years later, was diversified until McGraw-Edison bought what was left.
Too bad Egbert got cancer but one of the deciding factors in shutting down was the die for the trunk broke and the last few Studeis trunks were from salvage vehicles and to make a new one was $1 million and the yr before they actually made $1 million and didnt make sense to continue, and it was a great tax deduction.
I don’t want to write a novel so I’ll just say: It looks like a Plymouth Valiant.
Or a Rambler.
The 1965-1966 used their own Borg-Warner automatic transmission. Studebaker used a adapter for The GM engine.
For 1965-1967 Studebaker used three GM Engines.A194 & 230 inline sixs, & 283 v/8.
Longview is in Washington, not Oregon, but Oregon is just across the Columbia, so you’re not too far off.
The 194 six was used in 65. The 230 became a option in 66. I had a 65 2door with the 194 till I put in a 283. Yes it was a good car. I bought it in 1972 and it is still on the road today.
My dad bought a 66Commander. Always tranny issues. My brother drove it east from B.C.and somewhere in the prairies the brakes started squealing. In ThunderBay the brake shop found out that shoes had eaten the drums away totally. The mechanic said he had not seen that since the 30’s.😀
When they discontinued building automobiles they went on building military vehicles they were the ones that used the GMC 302 ci 6. With the hydramatic tranny which was in Hamilton Ontario
I miss Studebaker.
Perhaps it’s my age (born in the 50s) or that I live out in the middle of nowhere, but cars like these remain appealing. Not complicated, well engineered to begin with, easy to fix with basic mechanic skills, more or less a vehicle to withstand the collapse of the world as we know it. No computer, no chips. I love this car. A deal of a lifetime at $5,700, buy it and keep it forever. I already have too many things like this, a bit “over prepped.”
Pleasingly practical boxy car with attractive blue paint with small V8 and automatic transmission so should be easy to drive with plenty of headroom. Studebaker hasn’t manufactured cars since Lyndon Johnson was president so should attract lots of attention at car shows from older enthusuasts who remember the make and subsequent generations who have never seen or heard of a Commander.
Certainly car people of every age who are there to relish the dramatic and fascinating automotive history.
Make a good sleeper
I’ve always felt that Studebaker was the Subaru of its day. Well-engineered but quirky little buggers. The company was just too small to be able to convince the automobile buyers of the day that they didn’t really need Super Sport emblems on everything. Their “Golden Hawk” was and still is a great car. The plastic Avanti was, or should have been, a true American “Grand Touring” car. They just never had the money to follow through. Too bad.
Dang – they made it 100 years – the only 1800’s wagon manufactor to make the conversion to horseless transportation. Electric cars – yes they had them in the 1800’s but hey lets all focus on WHY they went under and not the subject car.
Looks like a a nice 4dr with a well liked motor – parts are not hard to find as there is much support in the Studebaker community.
Thankful my 1964 Daytona which was Canidian built has the Studie V/8.
No evidence on supporting mileage, spray can paint job? 3,500 car in my opinion.
I bet that throw rug on the dash is hiding serious degradation 👎 would need a good visual before opening the wallet