The Studebaker story is a quintessential tale of American entrepreneurial spirit and innovation, rooted in the journey of three Staudenbecker men who sought a new life in America in 1736. Their descendants settled in South Bend, Indiana, where they established a thriving wagon-making business starting in the 1850s. This business laid the foundation for what would eventually become one of America’s iconic automobile manufacturers.
By 1904, the Studebaker brothers had transitioned from wagons to automobiles, initially producing electric cars before introducing gas-powered vehicles a year later. This shift marked the beginning of a long and illustrious journey into automotive manufacturing that would see Studebaker diversify into trucks, buses, fire engines, and even small-rail locomotives over the next half-century.
One of the enduring models in Studebaker’s lineup was the Commander, which spanned several decades from 1927 to 1964. This included a notable prototype: the original 1953 Studebaker Commander convertible, of which only one was ever produced by the factory. Initially designed for the 1953 model year in Tacoma Gray, it underwent updates for 1954 and was later refinished in Sandusky Beige before eventually being painted its current red hue.
The journey of this prototype is as storied as the company itself. After its use at the Studebaker proving grounds, where it remained for many years, the car eventually passed through several hands following the closure of the South Bend factory in 1964. Remarkably, it was acquired by an employee for a mere $100 during the factory’s liquidation, a testament to its unique status as a prototype not typically sold to the public.
The personal connection to this rare Commander prototype runs deep for its current owner, whose father was an engineer at Studebaker. Growing up, he often visited the proving grounds with his father and witnessed firsthand the development and testing of Studebaker vehicles, including the prototype convertible. Home movies from that era capture his father behind the wheel of this very car, adding a poignant layer of family history to its already rich automotive legacy.
In 2015, after years of changing ownership, the current owner finally tracked down and purchased the prototype, bringing it full circle back into the care of a family with deep roots in Studebaker history. Today, this 1953 Studebaker Commander convertible prototype stands as a rare and cherished piece of automotive history, embodying the pioneering spirit and enduring craftsmanship that defined Studebaker throughout its storied existence in the American automotive landscape.
