1954 Studebaker

Starliner Coupe

8 - Cyl.

Automatic

8839614

Gasoline

Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 1954 Studebaker Commander Starliner This 1954 Studebaker Commander Starliner is owned and maintained by an avid collector who is downsizing due to a change of residence. The Studebaker has a 233 cu. in. OHV V - 8, 127 hp. In addition to the automatic transmission, it has factory power steering. Every car in his collection is meticulously maintained and the maintenance is documented, they are driven at least 20 miles a month and any problems are addressed as needed. He has had this Studebaker since December of 2000 and has spared no expense to make it a very nice car. When he bought it the odometer showed 144 miles because the speedometer was replaced during restoration so you can see by the current mileage that it has been driven very little over the past ten years. It has had many repairs and improvements over the years. The engine and transmission were rebuilt by top quality shops and they have less than 3k miles on them. There is a thick (2 ½” thick) file full of receipts and documentation as well as service manuals, parts manuals and owners manual that go with the vehicle. The owner wrote a letter to future owners which stays in the car. This letter explains the repairs and improvements in great detail see below. I am selling this car for the owner so if you have questions for him, please allow at least 24 hours for me to forward the question and get you and answer if I cannot answer it myself. I performed or managed much of the work on this vehicle.To contact me directly you can email (mike@cutawaycreations.com) or call my cell 703-217-7274 between 9am and 10pm eastern time. You can see from the pictures that the car is solid and does not appear to have had and major body damage or rust repair. If you would like to come inspect the vehicle, let me know and I can arrange that. From what we know about the vehicle, the mileage is not original at 2814.8 If you would like to have the car shipped, we will release the vehicle to your shipper but we will not be responsible for arranging or quoting shipping. It is located in Arlington Va 22204 zip code Thanks for looking and good luck, here is the information provided by the owner. PLEASE LEAVE IN TRUNK OF THIS STUDEBAKER Last update: June 27, 2010 TO FUTURE OWNERS OF MY 1954 STUDEBAKER COMMANDER STARLINER Preface: Most owners of collector cars do not have a good knowledge of the history of their vehicles. Many wish they knew more. The purpose of this writing is to set forth my knowledge of the history of my Studebaker for the benefit of future owners. I sincerely request that the person who acquires the car from me (or my estate), and every owner of the vehicle after that, update this car history and attempt to pass it on to the next owner. In that way all future owners will know something about the history of the vehicle. I bought this car in December, 2000, from Vintage Auto Specialists, a dealer in Norcross, Georgia. The car was in very good cosmetic condition and apparently in reasonably sound mechanical condition. The odometer showed 144 miles. The color was a version of Safford Cream. It was not as yellow the original Studebaker Safford Cream. The upholstery was white vinyl with yellow/gold inserts. I have not had the car painted or reupholstered. The dealer had acquired the car at an auction in January 2000 in Arizona. The prior individual owner was Pat Jeppeson of Spokane, Washington. In March of 2000 I spoke to Mr. Jeppeson ((509) 624-9393) and got the following information from him. He had acquired the car about 15 years before in New Mexico. He had a large collection of vintage automobiles and did not drive the Studebaker very much. He had the car painted and a new interior installed in about 1995. Since I have owned this car I have had the following major items of work done on it: -Engine overhauled at Kenson Automotive in Fairfax, Virginia (July 2000). -Automatic Drive transmission overhauled at National Transmission Service in Fairfax, Virginia (July 2000). -Power steering installed (July 2001). This is a correct factory power steering unit as used by Studebaker in 1954 (GM supplied Saginaw unit). I bought it from a man who was parting out a 1955 Studebaker. I had the unit rebuilt before I had it installed this car. (The car’s original manual steering was quite heavy.) -Hazard flashers, ignition kill switch (anti theft) and electric fuel pump installed (September 2001). I turn on the electric fuel pump to help cold starting. The car runs on its own mechanical pump. The electric pump could also be used in case of vapor lock (very rare in my experience) or mechanical fuel pump failure. The installation is designed in a special way that will not send fuel into the crank case in the event the mechanical fuel pump fails due to a ruptured membrane. (It is plumbed in after the stock pump so it utilizes the stock check valve to keep fuel from entering the crankcase.) -New tires from Coker installed (September 2007). -Blaupunkt radio with CD player installed (February 2002). This model stores preset station settings with no power drain. Uses wireless remote control. -Dual reservoir master brake cylinder installed (March 2002). -Installed cut off valve to windshield defroster water line (March 2002). This is under the hood in front of the firewall on the passenger side. The vertical position is open. This was to eliminate a source of heat in the passenger compartment to increase comfort in hot weather. -Supplemental Optima battery installed in trunk (August 2003). Switch for it is under driver’s seat. Clockwise position is on. The switch should be cut off when car is left sitting. -New rear springs installed (February 2004). The old springs recurrently developed a creaking sound. The new springs have insulators between the leaves that eliminate metal-to-metal contact. They came from Posie’s Rods and Customs in Hummelstown, Pennsylvania. -New belts and radiator hoses installed December 2008. I bought a copy of the factory build sheet on this car from the Studebaker National Museum in South Bend, Indiana. It shows that the car came off the assembly line at Studebaker’s Vernon, California, factory on March 26, l954. The engine now in the car is original to the car. The original color was Safford Cream. The sheet also indicates that the car had no radio, heater or turn signals. If not, someone added them at some point before I bought the car. (The turn signals do not cancel or click audibly so the driver must remember to turn them off.) I had a professional appraisal of the car in September 2003 by Mr. Ken Farley of Fairfax, Virginia ((703) 642-8436). The appraisal states: “This is a very nice example of a scarce low production model vehicle which could easily pass for a “Number 1 trailer restored” show car even though it is driven. It shows that the owner takes great pride and care.” The appraised figure was $23,000, which I thought was reasonable. An article about this car appeared in the Washington Times newspaper on May 25, 2001. I am a retired lawyer and long-time collector car hobbyist. I keep my cars in the parking garage of the high-rise condo apartment where I live. I take the Studebaker to car shows in the Washington D.C. area. I also make a point, year round, to take the car out for a minimum 20-mile drive every three to four weeks. The Studebaker always gets lots of attention. The looks of this car seem to appeal to everyone. TO BE CONTINUED, PLEASE, BY FUTURE OWNERS: