The 1953 Studebaker Commander convertible is one of the few convertibles ever produced by the Studebaker Motor Company.
The company that pioneered horsepower by the pound was named after its founder, engineer, and inventor, Captain Peter Studebaker, who in 1852 built America’s first wagon with a wheel made entirely of steel.
After 10 years in production, the 1953 Studebaker Commander was released to strong reviews and many consider it to be one of the best-looking cars from that era.
In 1953, Studebaker was attempting to compete with other luxury car manufacturers by introducing the Commander series of cars to the world.
The Commander Series consisted of three models: the Standard, the Custom, and the top-of-the-line Commander Convertible.
The Studebaker Commander was a classic car at its release, but today it is extremely rare and well sought after by collectors.
How can you resist the 1953 Studebaker Commander Convertible? The beautiful lines and curves of this classic car are timeless, and it’s still such a popular model that it even pops up in movies and television shows today.
Studebaker changed its name to Studebaker-Packard Corporation in 1954, but the cars built by this company have continued to make an impression on car lovers around the world long after production stopped in 1966.
Read on to learn more about this gorgeous 1953 Studebaker Commander Convertible!
History of the 1953 Studebaker Commander Convertible
The Studebaker Corporation was an American automobile manufacturer based in South Bend, Indiana. The company was founded in 1852 and produced its first car in 1902.
The Studebaker Commander was introduced in 1953 as a replacement for the earlier Champion model.
The Commander was available in both convertible and hardtop styles. It was powered by a V8 engine and had a top speed of over 100 mph.
The Studebaker Commander was one of the most popular cars of its time and remained in production until 1964.
For many years, Studebaker marketed the Starlight Coupe as a more luxurious version of the Commander, but it was finally discontinued in 1956.
One unique feature of this car is that it has all-vinyl upholstery with matching carpeting to go along with red leather on the dashboard and door panels. There were also chrome plated wheel covers available at no extra cost to owners.
Studebaker went out of business in 1966 due to poor sales numbers and financial troubles during this era where customers were seeking larger vehicles with more horsepower than what these smaller models could offer.
Read also: Old Cars from the 50s: A-List of Classics
What Makes This Convertible Different
The Studebaker Commander convertible was first introduced in 1953 and was available in two different models, the Starlight Coupe and the Starliner.
What makes this convertible different from other convertibles is its unique styling. The car has a long hood and a short rear deck, which gives it a sporty look.
It also has a fold-down windshield, which makes it easy to enjoy the breeze while driving.
Studebaker’s 1953 Commander Convertible was produced for only three years before being discontinued due to financial difficulties at the company.
While production ceased in 1954, some of these cars were still built up until 1956 due to large orders for parts.
Purchasing a 1953 Studebaker Commander
The Studebaker Commander convertible is a true classic car. It was first manufactured in 1953 and is sure to turn heads when driven on the road today. The car was available in two models, the Starlight Coupe and the Starliner.
The Studebaker Commander 1953 was one of the first cars to offer power steering and power brakes. It is a great investment for anyone looking to purchase a classic car.
Though it might be hard to find parts for repairs if the need arises, there are still plenty of mechanics around who specialize in Studebaker repair work.
For those who don’t have any mechanical experience or don’t want to spend money on hiring someone else to do it, they can always take their car to a garage or auto shop instead.
The Coolest Parts of Driving this Car
The 1953 Studebaker Commander convertible is a true classic car. It’s sure to turn heads when driven on the road today.
The coolest part of driving this car is that you can feel like you’re driving in a time machine.
It’s also really fun to show off this classic car to your friends and family. Another great thing about this car is that it’s very reliable and well-built.
You can also find parts for this car easily, which is important since it’s a classic car.
The only downside to this car is that it doesn’t have any modern features, but that’s part of the charm of driving a classic car.
Driving this car means you’ll never be stuck in traffic again because traffic from 1953 moves much slower than traffic nowadays!
There are a lot of people who admire cars from the 50s, so you’ll get plenty of compliments on your new purchase.
As long as you take care of it properly, then this car will last forever and serve as an heirloom for generations to come.
And best of all, unlike some other cars from the 50s with no air conditioning or power steering, this one has everything that drivers need nowadays.
Plus unlike some other cars from the 50s with no air conditioning or power steering, this one has everything that drivers need nowadays.
How to Restore Your Own Studebaker
If you’re a car enthusiast, you know that the Studebaker Commander convertible is a true classic car.
But what you may not know is how to restore one of these beauties yourself. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started.
- Find a 1953 Studebaker Commander in good condition.
- If you can’t find one, look for a 1953 Studebaker Commander Starlight Coupe or 1953 Studebaker Commander Starliner.
- These cars are similar to the convertibles and can be restored just as easily.
- Once you’ve found your car, it’s time to start the restoration process.
One way to do this is by stripping off all of the paint from the exterior body.
To do this, cover up all of the chrome on the outside with newspaper and use a low-pressure sprayer to remove all traces of paint from every inch of the exterior body.
After removing all traces of paint, wash off any dirt particles with soap and water before applying new primer over any rust spots (apply primer before sanding).
Let primer dry overnight before sanding it down using 600 grit wet/dry sandpaper. Apply more primer after sanding each spot until there are no rough patches left on your car’s exterior surface.
Let the primer dry again overnight before spraying the entire car with another coat of primer and allowing it to dry again.
Repeat steps seven and eight until your desired coverage has been achieved.
Then, apply two coats of gloss black enamel paint (or another color) to finish painting the exterior body of your car.
Wait for at least 24 hours for the paint to fully cure before washing it off with soap and water again.
Read also: Best Paint Protection for Cars Using Ceramic Coating
Fun Facts About Studebakers
In 1953, the Studebaker Commander was available in two different convertible models: the Starlight Coupe and the Starliner.
The Starlight coupe was the more popular of the two, with 3,025 units sold compared to just 1,363 units of the Starliner.
The Studebaker Commander was powered by a V8 engine that produced 220 horsepower. It could go from 0 to 60 miles per hour in just 11 seconds.
The base price for a new Studebaker Commander in 1953 was $3,498. Today, a restored 1953 Studebaker Commander convertible can sell for upwards of $100,000.
This is mainly due to the rarity of these cars. Only about 500 examples were made in 1953, which makes them quite rare.
Another factor is that it’s been nearly impossible to find replacement parts over the years.
Studebakers haven’t been manufactured since 1966, so parts are no longer being produced or distributed by Studebaker Corporation.
The reason why the 1953 Studebaker Commander has become such a sought-after car is that they’re now a classic automobile.
Classic car enthusiasts will pay top dollar for vehicles that represent significant turning points in automotive history.
A Studebaker commander 1953 could sell at auction today for upwards of $100,000, but if you’re looking to buy one on Craigslist you’ll be hard-pressed to find one at all!
Read also: Best Place to Buy a Car in California
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How many Studebaker Commanders were made?
Just over 4,600 Studebaker Commander convertibles were made in 1953, making it a fairly rare car.
The Commander was the top-of-the-line model for Studebaker that year and featured a powerful V8 engine.
The car was available in a variety of colors, but the most popular was the white with red interior.
The Studebaker Commander convertible is a true classic car and is sure to turn heads when driven on the road today.
Who designed the 1953 Studebaker Commander?
Raymond Loewy was the man behind the design of the 1953 Studebaker Commander.
He was a world-renowned industrial designer and is responsible for designing some of the most iconic products and vehicles of the 20th century.
The Studebaker Commander was one of his most famous designs. The car was sleek, modern, and ahead of its time. It’s no wonder that the car is still considered a classic today.
What models did Studebaker make in 1953?
The Studebaker Commander was designed by Raymond Loewy, who also designed the 1963 Avanti.
The Commander was available as a coupe, sedan, or convertible. In 1953, Studebaker also made the Champion, Land Cruiser, and Starlight models.
The Champion was available as a coupe, sedan, or wagon. The Land Cruiser was a station wagon. The Starlight was a two-door hardtop coupe. It is the only model that didn’t have its own individual name.
It was named after one of the most famous songs written in 1953 by Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke for Judy Garland’s movie A Star Is Born.
Studebaker also introduced its first V8 engine, which had 245 horsepower!
What is a Studebaker Commander?
The Studebaker Commander is a true classic car. It was designed by Raymond Loewy and introduced in 1953.
The car was originally produced by the Studebaker Corporation from 1953 to 1964. The Commander was available in both sedan and convertible body styles.
The car was powered by a V8 engine and had a three-speed manual transmission.
The Studebaker Commander was one of the most popular cars of its time and is still sought after by collectors today.
What kind of car is a Commander?
The Studebaker Commander is a true classic car. It was designed by Raymond Loewy, who is also responsible for designing the 1957 Ford Thunderbird and the 1963 Camel Cigarette logo.
The Commander is a full-size car that was produced by the Studebaker Corporation from 1950 to 1956. It was available in both a coupe and convertible body style.
The car was powered by a V8 engine and had a top speed of over 90 mph. Today, the Studebaker Commander is a highly sought-after collector’s item.
Conclusion
The 1953 Studebaker Commander Starlight Coupe is a true classic car. It is sure to turn heads when driven on the road today.
The car was built with quality in mind and it shows in its design. The 1953 Studebaker Commander Starliner is also a true classic car.
It too is sure to turn heads when driven on the road today. The car was also built with quality in mind and it shows in its design.
It may not be as popular as some of the more well-known cars from the 1950s, but that doesn’t mean that it’s any less of a beauty.
The 1953 Studebaker Commander Starlight Coupe and 1953 Studebaker Commander Starliner are both true classics in their own right.