|
1950
 Note the four blade spinner, indented lower grille, and hood lift handles. |
1951
 Note the spinner now had three blades, and the two lower grilles are flush mounted. |
1952
 Note the spinner is gone and the new grille is giving us signs of what will be coming in 1953 |
|
The above views help in quick identification of the early 50’s Studebaker Commanders |
||
The 1950 Commander:
1950 & 51 would become the years of the Studebaker “Bullet-Nose”. This design is so iconic in Studebaker history, that lots of people think the theme lasted for more years then it did. The radical departure from the first postwar design makes the 1950 Studebaker looks like an entirely new car. Actually, the change is just from the cowl forward and from the rear fenders back. The center section of the body and the frame are nearly the same as 47 to 49, real change would not come until 1953.
Referred to by the sales ad people as the “Next Look,” the design had been planned for a 1949 release, so production for the 1950 models started in late July of 1949 instead of September. The spinner had been under consideration for years with the first sketches seen as early as 1941 and an actual mock-up produced in 1943. Robert Bourke was Lowey’s chief in house designer and penned most of what was actually released for 1950. However, Virgil Exner and Gorden Buehrig, both had significant influence on the design, but were no longer with Studebaker when the final release came. Not all of Studebaker engineering nor the dealers, were early fans of the design, so the later sales success was quite unexpected.Exterior:
Bourke’s new design involved a new front end with three protruding noses. The outer two were extensions to the front fenders. The center nose would included the now famous four blade chrome bullet spinner, inside a large chrome outer ring with “Studebaker” stamped on the top ½ of this ring. The rear fenders are reshaped to take new vertical tail lights. Commanders would be a little more then ten inches longer then the Champion and run on a 120 inch wheelbase (Land Cruiser rode on 124 inches while Champions rode on 113 inches). Commanders also have much larger headlight rings, larger bumper guards (on the same bumpers seen in 1949), and had more rounded tail light.
There is a new hood ornament, a winged chrome piece with a clear lucite spear. Front bumpers are mounted on extended supports and encased in round tubes. The door handles are smooth, the grooves seen in 1947 to 1949 are removed. A “Coat of Arms” badge is placed in the center of the hood between the hood ornament and the “Bullet.” The model badge “Commander” is found on the side of the front fenders, except Land Cruiser, which of coarse had a “Land Cruiser” badge in the same location. Smooth moon style hubcaps with the “Studebaker Commander” name along the edge, would be seen on early models. Land Cruiser would have “Studebaker Studebaker” on their caps. During the mid-year changes, the headlight rings would become chrome plated. New plain small hubcaps (without lettering) or a plain full wheel cover that looked like the smaller caps with full width trim rings were also seen. Full wheel covers with the “Coat of Arms” badge in the center were also offered as an accessory. These mid-year changes were not necessarily implemented at exactly the same time, so while a car might have new chrome headlight rings it also may have came with the older lettered hubcaps.Interior:
Interior changes involve a new dash. The same basic layout is seen, the instruments are on the left, radio grille in the center, and glove box on the right. The panel has three round instrument openings, the left holds four gauges (oil, amps, heat,and gas), the center the speedometer, and the right a clock (if equipped). An upper dash cap extends out over the main dash section, making the lower main section look recessed.
Closed cars (sedans & coupes) have plain fabric door panels on DeLuxe trim or a combination of fabric with leatherette accents for Regal DeLuxe trim. The door panel accents for Regal DeLuxe would be a Gray Snake Skin pattern, similar to the Brown Alligator accents seen in 1949. The convertible would were trimmed in color co-ordinated leatherette (real leather at additional cost.) The Land Cruiser would have tucked seats with fabric buttons and those same buttons would appear on the door panels.Mechanical:
The major mechanical change is front suspension, the Planar system available on Commanders since 1935 is gone. A more modern coil spring and A-arm arrangement would replace it, (this would be a one year only design). While the Champion would use tubular shocks inside the coil springs, the Commanders would use center point steering and Houdaille lever arm shocks. The engine compression is raised to 7.0 to 1, now rated at 102 HP. Last, the first fully automatic transmission is released at mid-year called “Automatic Drive”, manufactured for Studebaker by Detroit Gear division of Borg Warner. It was available for Champion’s, but was actually promoted more for the Commander line.
Mid-year changes: All Commander headlight rings are now chrome. Plain hubcaps (the lettering is removed), phased in over time. Four new paint colors are released.
Model Line-up:
Starlight Coupe, 2-dr Sedan.(left) (right)
4-dr Sedan in DeLuxe and Regal DeLuxe trim. (left)
Convertible in Regal DeLuxe trim only. (right)
Land Cruiser in Regal DeLuxe trim only (left)Tells:
The center nose four blade propeller and the chrome hood handles from the front and vertical tail lights on the rear, say 1950 Studebaker. Things that identify Commanders (other then the side front fender badges) are much longer front fenders, the winged hood ornament, larger bumper guards, larger head light rings and more round (no flat surface like found on Champions) tail light lens. Things that identify Regal DeLuxe trim from DeLuxe are stainless steel rocker panel moldings outside and Gray Snake Skin accents on the top of the door panels inside.
Restoration Information: (Source TW October 1985)
Specification 1950 Studebaker Commander | |
|---|---|
Engine 6 cylinder flat head | |
Bore (inches) | 3 5/16 |
Stroke (inches) | 4 ¾ |
Displacement (cu. in.) | 245.6 |
Horsepower | 102 |
Compression ratio | 7.0:1 (optional 7.5:1) |
Carburetor | Stromberg BX0V-26 1bbl |
Electrical Equipment | Delco-Remy |
Spark Plugs | Champion J7 or J9 |
Battery | Willard |
Tire Size | 7.60 x 15 |
Wheel Base Commander | 120 inches |
Wheel Base Commander Land Cruiser | 124 inches |
The engine block, pan, and head were painted olive green. The fan was usually black, but sometimes may have been olive green. Electrical components were black, except the overdrive relay. Oil filler tube cap, spark plug wire brackets, and air cleaner canister were black. The carburetor, fuel pump, coil clamp, voltage regulator base, overdrive relay, air cleaner wingnut, battery clamp wingnuts and washers, hose clamps, and radiator cap were natural metal color. The oil filter canister, if factory installed, was black. The battery box was body color, but the top clamp was black. The radiator, radiator support frame, and upper radiator air deflector were black. The hood latch base in the air deflector was natural metal. Olive Green over spray was common on the starter and oil filter (if factory installed). There were decals on the air cleaner, oil filler tube cap and oil filter canister. The bell housing and transmission were normally painted olive green, the rest of the drive train and chassis were painted black. | |
Capacities | |
Gas Tank | 18 gallons |
Cooling System | 13 quarts ( with climatizer add more quart) |
Engine | 6 quarts (w/oil filter add one more quart) |
Rear Axle Ratio | 4.09:1 |
With Overdrive | 4.55:1 |
1950 Closed Car Body Colors | ||
|---|---|---|
Velvet Black | Grove Green | 2Maui Blue |
Concord Blue | Aqua Green | 2Ojai Green |
Midnight Blue | Bermuda Green | 1Aero Blue |
Black Cherry | Tulip Cream | 1Old Ivory |
Comanche Red | Bahama Mist Metallic | 1Shenandoah Green |
Fiesta Tan | Copper Mist Metallic | 1Surf Gray |
Falcon Gray | Highland Mist Metallic | |
Plaza Gray | 2Aspen Gray | |
1950 Convertible Colors | ||
Velvet Black | Copper Mist Metallic | Aqua Green |
Bahama Mist Metallic | Plaza Gray | Bermuda Green |
Steel Mist Metallic | 1Old Ivory | Black Cherry |
Highland Mist Metallic | Tulip Cream | Comanche Red |
Concord Blue | ||
1Spring Color 2Color only used at Los Angeles Plant Early color information limited the metallic paints to convertibles, but later in-house “Paint Charts” booklets list all the metallics, except Steel Mist as being available on closed models. The “Paint Chart” also gives detailed information on wheel and stripe colors. | ||
Upholstery Fabrics: 1950 Studebaker Commander |
DeLuxe Commanders used flat wool cloth. |
Regal DeLuxe Commanders including Land Cruiser used striped nylon cord. |
Regal DeLuxe Commander convertible used nylon cord and leatherette. |
Leather upholstery was optional at extra cost on all models. |
Floor Covering: DeLuxe, rubber in the front and carpet in the rear. (W3, F3,& C3) |
Floor Covering: Regal DeLuxe, carpet in the front and carpet in the rear. (W5, F5, C5, &Y5) |
Door panels on DeLuxe models were plain cloth. Regal DeLuxe closed cars had a combination of cloth & leatherette with the leatherette accents (top of door panels for W & F and bottom section on C) being gray in color with a snake skin pattern. Convertibles had all leatherette door panels and no accent panels. We are not sure about the convertibles and are relying on photo’s which may or may not be accurate. |
| 1950 Studebaker Commander Series 17A, 120/124 in. wheelbase | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1Model |
2No. Doors |
2Passengers |
2CCD Price |
1TW Price |
1No. Produced |
| DeLuxe Starlight Coupe (C3) |
2 |
5 |
$1,882.00 |
$1,897.00 |
4,383 |
|
DeLuxe 2-dr Sedan (F3) |
2 |
6 |
$1,857.00 |
$1,871.00 |
4,588 |
|
DeLuxe 4-dr Sedan (W3) |
4 |
6 |
$1,887.00 |
$1,902.00 |
11,440 |
|
Regal DeLuxe Starlight Coupe (C5) |
2 |
5 |
$1,997.00 |
$2,018.00 |
7,375 |
|
Regal DeLuxe Convertible (S2) |
2 |
5 |
$2,313.00 |
$2,328.00 |
2,867 |
|
Regal DeLuxe 2-dr Sedan (F5) |
2 |
6 |
$1,972.00 |
$1,992.00 |
2,363 |
|
Regal DeLuxe 4-dr Sedan (W5) |
4 |
6 |
$2,002.00 |
$2,024.00 |
14,832 |
|
Regal DeLuxe Land Cruiser (Y5) |
4 |
6 |
$1,997.00 |
$2,187.00 |
24,712 |
|
Total |
72,560 |
||||
|
Source Production: 1Turning Wheels October 1985 2CCD (Classic Car Database). |
|||||
1Serial Numbers: | ||
Location | Start | End |
South Bend | 4,398,601 | unknown |
Los Angeles | 4,839,001 | unknown |
1Engine Numbers: | ||
South Bend & Los Angeles | H-370,001 | unknown |
Source Serial Number: 1Turning Wheels October 1985. | ||
The 1951 Commander:
This year Commanders and Champions share the same sheet metal and the same 115 inch wheelbase (exception Land Cruiser at 119 inches). Made possible because of the new (much shorter) V-8 engine used in the Commanders. The dash design is still different between the two lines, at least for the short term. This makes it much harder to tell the Commanders from the Champions.
Exterior:
In an effort to tone down the front nose, the outer ring of the bullet is now a two ring affair. The outer ring is sheet metal painted body color and the inner ring is chrome. A three blade molded gray plastic spinner is placed in the center of a narrow third chrome ring, which is then mounted on three stand-offs into the outer ring combination previously described. The stamped “Studebaker” name is removed from the outer nose ring and two new badges are placed on the lower edges of the hood.
From the front, the left side badge is “Studebaker” on the right “Commander”, which included Land Cruisers. The two grille sections are larger and mount flush with the body sheet metal. The tubes around the front bumper mounts are removed and replaced with a metal apron that matched with the frontal sheet metal. The two holes below the chrome hood handles and the handles themselves are gone. The front fenders on the Commander are very similar to the 1950 Champion fenders, but are slightly different, however the 1950 Champion head light rings are used. The trunk handle, hood ornament, and bumper guards are new. Plain hubcaps and full wheel covers are used, with the “Coat of Arms” full wheel covers available as on option. The “Coat of Arms” badge in the hood is replace with a V8 badge. The taillight lens are extended at the top. All models now have a single piece windshield. The sedans have a new single piece rear window.Interior:
Red targets are added to the center of the round gauges. The radio grille is flush with the instruments, made of five stamped slots, each surrounded with chrome trim moldings. The glove box is also flush, painted body color and has a V8 emblem in the center. The steering column is a single tube enclosure with the shift and turn signal arms built into the unit. Interior fabrics are almost the same, but there are some pattern changes.Mechanical:
The big news is that 1951 Commanders are now equipped with an all new overhead valve V8, the first OHV V8 produced by an independent and the third in the industry. The first being the GM (Cadillac/Oldsmobile 1949) and Chrysler’s 1951 Hemi engine. Studebaker’s design has a bore of 3 3/8 inch with a stroke of 3 ¼, making it an over-square engine. This results in less friction and quicker acceleration, but less torque. Commanders and Champions have the same suspension and steering (center point) with tubular shocks inside coil springs, but Commanders have a different spring rate and tire size. All new wheel are used for both lines and have a 4 ½ inch PD with five holes. These rims would be used until the very end of production. The Commander rear brakes were reduced from 11 inches to 9, while the fronts remained at 11 inches. Commanders have electric windshield wipers as standard equipment, optional extra cost item on Champions. Generator output is increased to 40 amps.Model Line-up:
The same model line-up from1950 is seen in 1951. Starlight Coupe, 2-dr Sedan, 4-dr Sedan in both Regal and State trim. A Convertible and Land Cruiser (in State trim only). While there was supposedly no business coupe, like 1948 there appears to have been one Regal Business coupe produced in Los Angeles. However, this time unlike 1948 it was in the lesser trim (Regal), not (State). Wonder if this odd 1951 car was sold to the same buyer as that 1948 car.
Tells:
“Studebaker” is removed from the bullet and placed on the drivers side of the hood. “Commander” is placed on the passenger side. Both badges are prominent die castings mounted to the lower edge of the hood. On Commanders, the 1950 “Crest’ emblem is replaced with a V8 badge in the same location. The spinner is three blade gray plastic, the 50 spinner was chrome with four blades and was much larger. Front fender badges are only seen on the “Land Cruiser”.
Restoration Information
|
Specification 1951 Studebaker Commander |
|
|---|---|
|
Engine OHV V8 |
|
|
Bore (inches) |
3 3/ 8 |
|
Stroke (inches) |
3 1/4 |
|
Displacement (cu. in.) |
232.6 |
|
Horsepower |
120@ 4,000 rpm |
|
Torque (lb-ft) |
190@ 2000 rpm |
|
Compression ratio |
7.0:1 (optional 7.5:1) |
|
Carburetor |
Stromberg model AAUVB-26 two-barrel |
|
Electrical Equipment |
Delco-Remy (not verified) |
|
Spark Plugs |
Champion H-14Y |
|
Battery |
Willard |
|
Tire Size |
7.10 x 15 |
|
Wheel Base Commander |
115 inches |
|
Wheel Base Commander Land Cruiser |
119 inches |
|
The entire engine except the valve covers was painted olive green. The valve covers were black. Replacement fans or oil filler caps were black. Electrical components were black, except the overdrive relay. The air cleaner canister was black. The carburetor, fuel pump, coil clamp, voltage regulator base, overdrive relay, air cleaner wingnut, battery clamp wingnuts and washers, hose clamps, and radiator cap were natural metal color. The oil filter canister, if factory installed was olive green. The battery box was body color, but the top clamp was black. The radiator, radiator support frame, and upper radiator air deflector were black. The hood latch base in the air deflector was natural metal. Olive Green over spray was common on the starter (if factory installed). There were decals on the air cleaner, oil filler tube cap and oil filter canister. The bell housing and transmission were olive green, the rest of the drive train and chassis were painted black. |
|
|
Capacities |
|
|
Gas Tank |
18 gallons |
|
Cooling System |
13 quarts ( with climatizer add more quart) |
|
Engine |
6 quarts (w/oil filter add one more quart) |
|
Rear Axle Ratio |
4.09:1 |
|
With Overdrive |
4.55:1 |
1951 Exterior Colors | ||
|---|---|---|
1Velvet Black | 1Shenandoah Green | 1Plaza Gray |
1Maui Blue | 1Aqua Green | 1Comanche Red |
1Concord Blue | 1Sahara Sand | 1&3Black Cherry |
1Rio Green | 1Surf Gray | 2Bermuda Green |
2Midnight Blue | ||
1South Bend & Canadian Colors 2Additional Colors available only in Canada 3Not available on Custom. No metallic colors are used in 1951, no colors were exclusive to convertibles, and no two-tones were available from the factory except for fleet orders. CKD were often painted non-factory colors. | ||
Upholstery Fabrics: 1951 Studebaker Commander |
Regal Commanders used broadcloth. |
State Commanders and Land Cruisers used striped nylon cord. |
State Commander convertible used nylon cord and leatherette. |
Leather upholstery was optional at extra cost on all models. |
Floor Covering: Regal, rubber in the front and carpet in the rear. (W3, F3, & C3) |
Floor Covering: State, carpet in the front and carpet in the rear. (W5, F5, C5, & Y5) |
Door panels on Regal models were plain cloth. State closed cars had a combination of cloth & leatherette with the leatherette accents (top of door panels for W & F and bottom section on C) being gray in color with a snake skin pattern. Convertibles had all leatherette door panels and no accent panels. We are not sure about the convertibles and are relying on photo’s which may or may not be accurate. |
| 1951 Studebaker Commander Series H, 115/119 in. wheelbase | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1Model |
2No. Doors |
2Passengers |
2CCD Price |
1TW Price |
1No. Produced |
|
Regal Starlight Coupe (C3) |
2 |
5 |
$1,710.00 |
$1,833.00 |
8,192 |
|
Regal 2dr sedan (F3) |
2 |
6 |
? |
$1,807.00 |
8,034 |
|
Regal 4dr sedan (W3) |
4 |
6 |
$1,715.00 |
$1,839.00 |
29,603 |
|
Regal business coupe (Q1) |
2 |
3 |
$1,685.00 |
? |
1 |
|
State Starlight coupe (C5) |
2 |
5 |
$1,805.00 |
$1,933.00 |
11,637 |
|
State convertible (S2) |
2 |
5 |
$2,100.00 |
$2,244.00 |
3,770 |
|
State 2dr sedan (F5) |
2 |
6 |
$1,780.00 |
$1,907.00 |
3,903 |
|
State 4dr sedan (W5) |
4 |
6 |
$1,810.00 |
$1,939.00 |
21,134 |
|
State Land Cruiser (Y5) |
4 |
6 |
$1,935.00 |
$2,071.00 |
38,055 |
|
Total |
124,329 |
||||
1Serial Numbers | ||
Location | Start | End |
South Bend | 1,000,000 | 1,115,500 |
Los Angeles | 889,101 | 907,300 |
Canada | 724,510 | 735,700 |
1Engine Numbers | ||
Location | Start | End |
South Bend | 778,001 | 911,500 |
Canada | C-25,501 | C-36,721 |
Source: 1TW December 1985 2Classic Car Database (CCD)
The 1952 Commander:
Interesting, I asked, how did we get from H Commander in 1951 to 3H Commander for 1952 what happened to 1H & 2H? Well, it turns out that 2H number was assigned to the all new Model “N” car which had been in the design process, including clay models, prototypes, and actual road testing, until then they were not. The N Models would have had all new sheet-metal and included some form of the bullet nose theme. The Model N died over uncertainty about the Korean War. The last minute cancellation, caused Studebaker to rush another face lift of the existing 1947 through 1951 cars, to create the 1952 Studebaker’s. Between the Bullet-Nosed Studebaker’s and the all new 1953 Studebaker, the 1952 seem like the all but forgotten year. However in this writers opinion that 1952 Starliner is still one of the most stunning Studebaker’s ever created.
It is my opinion that Studebaker skipped 1H to avoid confusion between the H (1951) & 1H (a never assigned) version number. This also happened when the 1939 Champion was designated G and 1940 Champion designated 2G.
Exterior:
As was the case in 1950, the 1952 face-lift happens most significantly from the cowl forward. The bullet-nose theme is dropped and a very elegant new horizontal grill design is developed. It consists of two end caps, a top bar with a deep “V” in the center, and a bottom bar with six vertical teeth, three on each side of the “V”. Then somehow, much thinner horizontal bars are attached in the background. No bullet-nose, needs a new hood to go with the new grille. Also modified front fenders (much shorter) are fitted with newly designed headlight rims. The front bumper is fitted with four bumper guards, two large on the outside and two smaller ones flanking the license plate holder. Studebaker Commander name plates are used on the leading edge of the hood, but no name plates would be seen on the side of the fenders for any models in 1952.
The Commanders have a new hood ornament which they share with the Deluxe & Regal Champions.
The front hood badge is “V” shaped, different then the winged version found on Champions (photo far right). In the rear, we get new taillights with hooded bezels (the last glass taillight lens) and a new deck lid handle. Commanders have both a name badge and a V8 emblem on the rear deck lid. The stainless steel gravel guard seen on all State Commanders is redesigned with the leading edge extending much higher. The convertible back glass is now a larger single pane vinylite affair.Interior:
Very few interior changes are made for the 1952 models. The instrument panel is slightly modified. The Automatic Drive cars get a push button starter switch. All the Commanders get a new horn ring and feature a non-round horn button, these items are unique to 1952 Commanders. This interior is not confirmed to be original. But most 1952 Studebaker Commander (State Trim) interior photo’s show either vertical or horizonal pleated accents. The seats are for sure not original, they would have been some type of striped material.Mechanical:
The only significant mechanical change for 1952 Commanders was that the brakes are redesigned.
Model Line-up:
The same model line-up from1951 is seen in 1952. Starlight Coupe, 2-dr Sedan, 4-dr Sedan in both Regal and State trim. A Convertible and a Land Cruiser Sedan in State trim only. There was a trifecta of newly released innovations from 1950 to 1952, first 1n 1950 was Automatic Drive. Then in 1951 the new V8 OHV engine.
Then in 1952 a new hardtop called the Starliner is released in State trim only for Commanders.Tells:
In the 1950 to 1952 Studebaker series “52” would be the only year without a bullet nose, making them very easy to identify. The deep “V” in the grille is a significant tell for 52’s and a sign of what the future was going to bring. Hooded tail lights also signify 1952 Studebaker’s. We know that Commanders and Champions are running on the same wheel base and use the same sheet-metal (except the Land Cruiser). So, in the front look for the Commander script on the lower edge of the hood and from the rear look for the “Commander” or “Land Cruiser” deck lid script and the V8 badge, if they are not found, it’s a Champion. From the side no known tells. If the car has a rubber gravel shield, it’s a Regal trim, but if the gravel shield is stainless it is State.Click here to see the Options and Accessories listing.
Restoration:
|
Specification 1952 Studebaker Commander |
|
|---|---|
|
Engine OHV V8 |
|
|
Bore (inches) |
3 3/ 8 |
|
Stroke (inches) |
3 1/4 |
|
Displacement (cu. in.) |
232.6 |
|
Horsepower |
120@ 4,000 rpm |
|
Torque (lb-ft) |
190@ 2000 rpm |
|
Compression ratio |
7.0:1 (optional 7.5:1) |
|
Carburetor |
Stromberg model AAUVB-26 two-barrel |
|
Electrical Equipment |
Delco-Remy |
|
Spark Plugs |
Champion H-8 |
|
Battery |
Willard |
|
Tire Size |
7.10 x 15 |
|
Wheel Base Commander |
115 inches |
|
Wheel Base Commander Land Cruiser |
119 inches |
|
The entire engine except the valve covers was painted olive green. The valve covers were black. Replacement fans or oil filler caps were black. Electrical components were black, except the overdrive relay. The air cleaner canister was black. The carburetor, fuel pump, coil clamp, voltage regulator base, overdrive relay, air cleaner wingnut, battery clamp wingnuts and washers, hose clamps, and radiator cap were natural metal color. The oil filter canister, if factory installed was olive green. The battery box was body color, but the top clamp was black. The radiator, radiator support frame, and upper radiator air deflector were black. The hood latch base in the air deflector was natural metal. Olive Green over spray was common on the starter (if factory installed). There were decals on the air cleaner, oil filler tube cap and oil filter canister. The bell housing and transmission were olive green, the rest of the drive train and chassis were painted black. |
|
|
Capacities |
|
|
Gas Tank (gals) |
18 |
|
Cooling System (qts) |
17 1/4 ( with climatizer add 1 1/2) |
|
Engine (qts) |
6 (w/oil filter add one more) |
|
Rear Axle Ratio |
4.09:1 |
|
With Overdrive |
4.55:1 |
|
1952 Exterior Solid Colors (no metallics) |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Color |
Wheel Color |
Canadian Wheel Color |
|
Velvet Black |
Comanche Red |
Cuban Red |
|
Maui Blue |
Cuban Red |
Cuban Red |
|
2Concord Blue |
Concord Blue |
Concord Blue |
|
Nocturne Blue |
Nocturne Blue |
Nocturne Blue |
|
Surf Gray |
Comanche Red |
Cuban Red |
|
Piedmont Gray |
Comanche Red |
Cuban Red |
|
Sahara Sand |
Sahara Sand |
Sahara Sand |
|
Cuban Red |
Comanche Red |
Cuban Red |
|
Rio Green |
Sahara Sand |
Sahara Sand |
|
Aqua Green |
Aqua Green |
Aqua Green |
|
1Bermuda Green |
———- |
Sahara Sand |
|
1This color was only available in Canada for 1952. 2This color may not have been available from Los Angeles. Starlight Hardtop were not normally painted a single solid color, but perhaps could have been special ordered that way. |
||
|
1952 Exterior Two-Tone Colors (no metallics) Only available on Starliner Hardtop |
||
|
Upper Color |
Lower Color |
Wheel Cover |
|
Spartan Rust |
Sahara Sand |
Sahara Sand |
|
Corning Olive |
2Sahara Sand |
Sahara Sand |
|
Nocturne Blue |
2Sahara Sand |
Sahara Sand |
|
Shell Ivory |
2Maui Blue |
Nocturne Blue |
|
Nocturne Blue |
Maui Blue |
Nocturne Blue |
|
Venice Red |
Surf Gray |
Comanche Red |
|
London Gray |
2Surf Gray |
Comanche Red |
|
Nocturne Blue |
Surf Gray |
Comanche Red |
|
London Gray |
Tahoe Green |
Sahara Sand |
|
Walnut Brown |
2Rio Green |
Sahara Sand |
|
Shadow Green |
Rio Green |
Sahara Sand |
|
Wheel did not have stripes in 1952. Those cars shipped with full wheel covers normally came with black wheels. It is possible that the black wheel/full wheelcover combination was limited to cars with white wall tires. 2These color may not have been available from Los Angeles. |
||
1952 Interior Fabrics | |
|---|---|
Trim | Fabric |
Regal | Broadcloth |
State Sedan and Starlight Coupe | Nylon Terrace Weave |
State Convertible and Starliner | Nylon Cord & leatherette (2-color styles) |
State Land Cruiser | Nylon Cord or Two-tone Broadcloth |
State Convertible and Starliner could be had with genuine leather and leatherette at additional cost. Regal has carpet in the rear with black rubber in the front. All State models have carpet front and back. Only the Land Cruiser would have the Mattex trunk mat. | |
1952 Studebaker Commander Series 3H, 115 in. wheelbase | |||||
1Model | 2No. Doors | 2Passengers | 2CCD Price | 1TW Price | 1No. Produced |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Regal Starlight Coupe (C3) | 2 | 5 | $1,806.00 | $2,115.00 | 5,127 |
Regal 2dr sedan (F3) | 2 | 6 | $1,799.00 | $2,086.00 | 5,995 |
Regal 4dr sedan (W3) | 4 | 6 | $1,811.00 | $2,121.00 | 22,037 |
State Starlight coupe (C5) | 2 | 5 | $1,906.00 | $2,202.00 | 3,784 |
State convertible (S2) | 2 | 5 | $2,117.00 | $2,548.00 | 1,715 |
State Starliner hardtop (K2) | 2 | 5 | ? | $2,448.00 | 14,548 |
State 2dr sedan (F5) | 2 | 6 | $1,879.00 | $2,172.00 | 1,529 |
State 4dr sedan (W5) | 4 | 6 | $1,911.00 | $2,208.00 | 9,998 |
State Land Cruiser sedan (Y5) | 4 | 6 | $2,043.00 | $2,365.00 | 20,117 |
Total | 84,850 | ||||
| Source: 1TW August 1994 (prices are late summer 1952) 2Classic Car Database (CCD) | |||||
|
Serial Numbers |
||
|
Location |
Start |
End |
|
South Bend |
8,217,001 |
8,290,000 |
|
Los Angeles |
8,816,001 |
8,826,800 |
|
Canada |
8,954,001 |
8,995,400 |
|
Engine Numbers |
||
|
Location |
Start |
End |
|
South Bend |
V-123,001 |
VC-207,000 |
|
Canada |
VC-2,036 |
VC-3,500 |