1931 Studebaker Commander Series 70

History

The Studebaker Commander was produced for several years, representing several body style changes, and first appeared in the 1920s. The company continued to use the name until its 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

1931 Studebaker Commander Series 70 Vehicle Profiles

Recent Vehicle Additions

Performance and Specification Comparison

Price Comparison

1931 Commander Series 70
$1,685-$18,000
1931 Studebaker Commander Series 70 Price Range: $1,585 - $1,685

Compare: Lower | Higher | Similar

Other 1931 Studebaker Models
$823 - $9,012

Commander

Specification Comparison by Year

Year
Production
Wheelbase
Engine
Prices
40,668
120.00 in.
6 cyl., 354.00 CID., 75.00hp
$1,530 - $1,785
22,848
120.00 in.
6 cyl., 353.00 CID., 75.00hp
$1,435 - $1,625
16,019
120.00 in.
6 cyl., 248.00 CID., 67.00hp
8 cyl., 250.40 CID., 80.00hp
$1,365 - $1,700
124.00 in.
8 cyl., 250.40 CID., 101.00hp
$1,585 - $1,685
3,551
125.00 in.
6 cyl., 225.97 CID., 94.00hp
$1,400 - $1,700
10,315
119.00 in.
8 cyl., 221.00 CID., 103.00hp
$975 - $1,200
6,085
120.00 in.
8 cyl., 250.00 CID., 107.00hp
$925 - $1,130

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Vehicle information, history, and specifications from concept to production.