1947 Studebaker Commander

The 1947 Commander was Studebaker's top-of-the-line model and was available in various body styles. The line was divided into the Deluxe, Regal Deluxe, and Land Cruiser line. A convertible was available only on the Regal Deluxe line. The Land Cruiser came in a single-body style, a 123-inch Sedan. All Deluxe and Regal Deluxe models rested on a 119-inch platform. Power was from an L-head six-cylinder unit that offered 94 horsepower and was mated to a three-speed manual gearbox. An overdrive was available for an additional $90.

by Dan Vaughan

Regal Deluxe Convertible
Chassis number: 4280834

Introduced in June 1946 as a 1947 model, the Studebaker factory in South Bend, Indiana, was able to beat just about every other major American manufacturer to market with an all-new automobile. They featured new and innovative styling by Raymond Loewy. The cars were lower, wider, and given a redesigned chassis and suspension.

Both 1947 Studebaker models had six-cylinder engines, with the top-of-the-line Commander having the more powerful 94-horsepower version. The Commander Convertible was offered only in Regal DeLuxe trim, with stainless steel windshield trim and rocker panel moldings. Just 1,503 examples were built.

This convertible was formerly part of the Charles Cawley collection. It underwent a 10-year-long restoration, during which the original interior was carefully retained, including the factory red vinyl upholstery and carpets. The body was refinished in the factory color of Tulip Yellow. Options include factory overdrive gear, factory spotlights, an AM radio, a clock, a Heater, DeLuxe hood ornament, front and rear bumper tips, signal lights, and fog lights.

by Dan Vaughan

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 Dan Vaughan