1931 Studebaker Commander Series 70

Convertible

The Studebaker Commander is the model name of a long succession of automobiles produced by the Studebaker Corporation of South Bend, Indiana. Studebaker first used the Commander name in 1927 and continued to use it for most years all the way to 1966. The model name was used for various positions in the company's product line-up that would often change from year-to-year.

This particular example is a rare Commander convertible that is believed to be one of just four produced. It has been in the same family since the 1950s. They were Studebaker dealer owners in the 1920s and 1930s. It was originally restored by the current owner's grandfather in 1960.

For 1931, the all-new Commander Series 70 line began the year before, in July of 1930, and would continue until September of 1931. Power was from a 250.4 cubic-inch eight-cylinder engine offering just over 100 horsepower. The wheelbase measured 124 inches, and body styles consisted of a coupe, Victoria, Regal Brougham, Convertible, Sedan, and Regal Sedan. In the front was a new V-shaped radiator flanked by oval-shaped headlights along with parking lights that sat atop the front fenders. The single bar bumper had a V-shaped dip in the center.

Standard equipment on the Commander included a gasoline gauge, thermometer, ignition lock, speedometer, and non-shatterable glass. They also were given stoplights, Lovejoy shock absorbers, Free Wheeling, and a vacuum wiper.

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