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The 1938 Studebaker State Commander was powered by a six-cylinder, L-head engine that displaced 226 cubic-inches and offered 90 horsepower. It had a three-speed synchromesh manual gearbox with floor mounted gearshift controls and a single-disc dry plate clutch. It was available was a custom coupe, club sedan, crown sedan, or a convertible sedan. Pricing ranged from $965 - $1375.
The State Commander was similar to the base Commander except it had the President-style headlamps. Standard equipment included all the base Commander options plus deluxe steering wheels, twin horns and Hill-Holer.
The styling was smooth and stylish. They had dual wipers and divided windshields, safety glass, and planar suspension. Inside, there was a speedometer, engine thermometer, Borg clock, and Casco cigar lighter. The car rode on two-way Houde shock absorbers, and rode on Budd steel disc wheels.
By Daniel Vaughan | Jul 2011
The State Commander was similar to the base Commander except it had the President-style headlamps. Standard equipment included all the base Commander options plus deluxe steering wheels, twin horns and Hill-Holer.
The styling was smooth and stylish. They had dual wipers and divided windshields, safety glass, and planar suspension. Inside, there was a speedometer, engine thermometer, Borg clock, and Casco cigar lighter. The car rode on two-way Houde shock absorbers, and rode on Budd steel disc wheels.
By Daniel Vaughan | Jul 2011
The Studebaker Commander was produced for several years, representing several bodystyle changes, and first appeared in the 1920s. The company would continue to use the name until their demise in 1966. There were only a few years where the Commander did not appear in Studebaker's line-up during that time; those were in 1936 and 1959-1963.
When the name first appeared in 1927, it was Studebaker's middle-series. As the years progress, it would move up and down market, often changing positions from year to year. The name would continue until it was dropped in 1935, only to reappear in 1937 where it served as the company's least expensive model, taking the place of the previous Studebaker Dictator. The company had decided to do away with the 'Dictator' name, due to the negative political connectors associated with the name. Mainly, Adolf Hitler in Germany had tainted the word 'dictator.'
The Commander moved up-market in 1939 when Studebaker introduced the Champion model. After the Second World War, Studebaker dropped its President moniker, and repositioned the Commander in its place. At the same time, Studebaker introduced an extended wheelbase model known as the Land Cruiser.
The President name reappeared in 1955; the President model became the premium model range and the Commander was demoted to the mid-range model. The name would continue until 1958 and reappear in 1963 for the 1964 model range. It was positioned next to the lowest-priced Lark model and above the entry-level Challenger model.
By Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2008
For more information and related vehicles, click hereWhen the name first appeared in 1927, it was Studebaker's middle-series. As the years progress, it would move up and down market, often changing positions from year to year. The name would continue until it was dropped in 1935, only to reappear in 1937 where it served as the company's least expensive model, taking the place of the previous Studebaker Dictator. The company had decided to do away with the 'Dictator' name, due to the negative political connectors associated with the name. Mainly, Adolf Hitler in Germany had tainted the word 'dictator.'
The Commander moved up-market in 1939 when Studebaker introduced the Champion model. After the Second World War, Studebaker dropped its President moniker, and repositioned the Commander in its place. At the same time, Studebaker introduced an extended wheelbase model known as the Land Cruiser.
The President name reappeared in 1955; the President model became the premium model range and the Commander was demoted to the mid-range model. The name would continue until 1958 and reappear in 1963 for the 1964 model range. It was positioned next to the lowest-priced Lark model and above the entry-level Challenger model.
By Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2008
 1938
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