Swan Song: 1966 Studebaker Commander – SOLD!

Dec 2020 | Classifinds, Free For All Friday

December 17th Update: We just confirmed the private seller of this final-year Studebaker deleted their Craigslist ad, so we’re now able to call this one “Sold!”  While this one got away, if you have your heart set on something similar, email us the details of what you’re looking for or call Rudy directly at (908)295-7330.

By 1966 Studebaker was on life support. Three years earlier, the company closed its South Bend, Indiana manufacturing plant, leaving its Hamilton, Ontario facility the lone producer of its Cruiser, Daytona, and Commander models such as this 37K original mile sedan originally listed in December 2020 on Craigslist in Ellicott City, Maryland by the caretaker of the past twenty years with an asking price of $6,000.  Researching the Collector Car Market Review Online Tool reveals the private seller has their vintage Stude priced between this guide’s #3 “Good” estimate of $4,125 and its #2 “Very Good” appraisal of $6,525.  Similarly, the Hagerty Insurance Online Valuation Tool as a second data point confirms this private seller has his Commander priced between the #3 “Good” estimate of $5,300 and the #2 “Excellent” appraisal of $7,200.

Here is Hagerty Insurance’s assessment of this final year Studebaker:

“By the autumn of 1963, Studebaker was backed into the corner. There wasn’t money for the mainstream prototype cars designed by Brooks Stevens, nor for the smaller Avanti-esque cars designed by Raymond Loewy’s team. Instead, Studebaker’s ailing president Sherwood Egbert instructed Brooks Stevens to do another miracle as he’d done for the 1962 cars. It was another reskin of the basic 1953 derived cars.

These same basic cars were sold in 1964 as Lark Challenger, Commander, Daytona and Cruiser. The Studebaker Commander was the non-fleet basic family trim level. It was the first time this nomenclature was used by Studebaker since 1958, and denoted the attempt by Studebaker to show that their new family-oriented cars had grown up a bit from the humble Lark roots.

Looking at the restyle of the 1964 Studebaker Commander in the context of other cars of the year shows a slightly compromised design, but the styling was competitive enough and truly was a nice departure from the prior styling. The boxy theme was not out of place on the roads of the day.

Buyers had a choice of the economical and proven 170 cid six with 112 hp or the sparkling performance of the standard 259 cid V-8 with 180 hp. A four-barrel carburetor option boosted that to 195 hp, while the larger 289 V-8 was available in several forms, including 210, 225, 240, and 290 hp, the last thanks to a Paxton supercharger.

Initial body styles encompassed a two-door sedan, four-door sedan, and four-door Wagonaire station wagon. The Studebaker Commander Wagonaire also had something no other car had: a sliding rear roof. This allowed the transport of tall items at will.

Alas, sales collapsed for Studebaker in the fall of 1963. People were shying away from Studebaker dealers, afraid they’d be stuck with an orphan. This became a self-fulfilling prophecy. To make matters worse, Studebaker began to lose their dealer network, which finally began to throw in the towel and take on competitive makes and even imports. By December 1963, Studebaker’s board chose to shutter the South Bend Main plant, and began to import new cars from their Hamilton, Ontario facility in January. A slightly up-market Studebaker Commander Special 2 door sedan, with additional equipment, was the only marked change in the line-up.

By late summer, the engine plant at South Bend also closed down, necessitating an alternate source of powerplants since Studebaker of Canada’s President, Gordon Grundy, was determined to carry on and had the blessings of the board of directors.

The 1965 Studebaker Commander was introduced in six-cylinder form utilizing GM’s 194 cid six of 120hp and GM’s 283 cic V-8 of 195hp. These were manufactured in Ontario by GM’s McKinnon Industries division and were Chevrolet pattern engines used by that Division as well as Canadian-built Pontiac cars and GMC trucks. The 1965 cars were nearly indistinguishable from 1964, except under the hood. The Commander became the lowest-priced line, with the Challenger “fleet specials” disappearing.

1966 cars were introduced in the autumn of 1965 and there was a new plastic grille surrounded by large single headlamps, new side trim, upgraded interiors, a new “Refreshaire” ventilation system, and other improvements. A new optional 230 cid six of 140 hp became available, initially with automatic transmission only but later with manual shift or manual plus overdrive. A new aluminized factory rust-proofing treatment was also provided at no extra cost.

The first 1966 car to be built by Studebaker was a Commander V-8 four-door sedan, but by March 1966, after Gordon Grundy had requested a small number of funds to develop a 1967 car, he was informed that there would be no 1967 Studebaker and was ordered to begin shutting down production. It was a sad end for a transportation manufacturer in business since 1852.”

Here are the videos the seller provides in his listing:

While it’s very likely the person who decides to take on this car’s restoration will likely never recover their investment, we still hope someone takes the time and effort to at least preserve this end-of-the-line Studebaker. Studebaker ended production in March 1966 so it would be interesting to confirm how close to that date this car was produced.  Good luck with the purchase!

Here’s the seller’s description:

“A super original car with only 37,000 miles. Has Air Conditioning, 283 V-8 Automatic transmission.

Photo gallery is provided here: https://imgur.com/gallery/U6hjCg7

Three videos are available here: https://vimeo.com/488105518
https://vimeo.com/488106326
https://vimeo.com/488106609

I have had the car for about 20 years. Always stored inside until just recently (I have too many cars!) The fuel went bad and I have replaced the fuel pump and rebuilt the carb. Engine runs strong with great oil pressure.

This car is such a great candidate for a restoration. There is some rust in the front left fender, drivers door and some floor pan rust on the drivers side. But, with such low mileage, the front end and the rest of the car is in decent shape.

While the car runs and drives, it is NOT a candidate to drive home. The brakes needs to gone through and the tires are at least 30 years old. The must be old fuel still in the tank as it will start and run, but does not idle properly.

Car is located in Ellicott City Maryland. I am open to offers as I want the car to find a good home.

Email is best: Please use -> RhysArthur at comcast.net

Do you have a Studebaker Commander story you’d like to share?  Comment below and let us know!

1 Comment
  1. Richard Lockwood

    I own a 1966 Studebaker Commander, I have owned this car since 1991 I bought it with no engine or transmission, right now it has a 327 cu.in chevy engine and a turbo 350 transmission in it.

    Reply

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