1955 Studebaker Commander

2 door hardtop

None

8842693

Clear

1955 Studebaker Commander Regal 2 Door Hardtop (K Body) This is a 1955 Studebaker Commander Regal Hardtop with remarkably little rust. The car is complete except for the engine and transmission. However, I have a variety of Studebaker V8 engines and transmissions at my shop and can include a set up at extra cost if desired by the buyer of this car. This one was originally a 259 V8 with standard 3 speed. This car is also an excellent candidate for a Brand X powertrain swap as it sits. This body style was introduced in 1953 and continually updated by Studebaker through 1964. 1955 was the last year of the sleek original shape prior to the addition of rear fins, a stand up grill, and the name change to “Hawk”. 1955 was also the only year the famous Studebaker Speedster was produced. The Speedster is identical to this Commander with the exception of some trim differences. A unique feature of this particular car is the replacement of the 1955 front grill and hood with those from a 1953/1954. To many, the change to the 1955 nose was not an upgrade to the classic lines of the 53/54 cars. This one has had the original grill, hood and related parts replaced with a relatively rare pieces from a 53/54 hardtop or coupe. This is an original California car and was delivered new by Standard Motors in Richmond, California. It has only minor rust out and surface rust elsewhere. The trunk floor has only surface rust. The same is true with most of the interior floor except on the passenger side front where there is a small rust out area. The driver side is solid except for a very small area by the master cylinder access hole. The lower sill on the driver side has part of the weather strip channel rusted. Both lower rear corners of the front fenders are starting to show a little bubbling. The under side of the trunk lid shows a little rust starting but more surface than anything. The frame and hog troughs are solid with only surface rust. There is a hole in the center tunnel that was cut sometime in the past for a floor shifter. There is dent in the rear roof area, also a couple of smaller dents in the roof. The driver door has a dent but it is not rusted and is fixable. I do have a door that is not dented but is rusted a little on the under side corner and I will include this door with the auction. The doors open and close rather nice for an old Studebaker. All the chrome trim is present with the exception of the grill bars. The right side grill surround has been re chromed but is bent some in the center. With care it should bolt in and fit good. The left side grill surround is not pictured and is broken but it will be included. The rest of the pot metal is pitted but rechromable. One of the tail light housings is bent in a little at the lower corner. Both tail light lenses need to be changed. The rear bumper is an original 1955 and although there is no front bumper in the pictures, I will supply a 55 front bumper with the auction. The stainless is all there and usable (including the rare “butter knife” side trim) with only small dents and dings. The glass is all tinted and good except for a wiper mark and a pair of bulls eyes in the windshield. I will include a good, useable windshield with the auction. The driver’s side vent window is cracked, but again I’ll provide a good one but I can't insure it will be tinted. The passenger side and rear side windows are a little hard to roll down so I have not forced them. They will need a good cleaning and lube to work properly. All the door and window handles are with the car but not installed. The interior needs to be redone but is complete. All the interior stainless and paint grade trim is off but with the car. There is an extra gauge cluster that goes with the car. The steering wheel is in rather nice shape for being 50+ years old. The seats are the correct style but not original to this car. The headliner is gone, and door panels are missing but i might have some old panels here and if I do they will go with the car (they would have to be recovered, so it will not be much of a help except for patterns). All four arm rests are present. 
The tires are good. The 5 wheel covers are from a 1956 Studebaker. This is one of the better early Studebaker Loewy Hardtop projects that I have seen in a long time. Most are incomplete and rusted beyond any sort of repair that would make sense. I think you will be surprised how low my reserve is for a builder of this caliber. You won’t spend your time chasing hard to find parts or replacing lots of metal with this one. If you are interested in bidding on the car, be sure to click on the link below for many more detail pictures… 1955 Studebaker Commander Hardtop The car is located in Castro Valley, CA (San Francisco Bay Area). You may pick up the car in person, or I will help load the car on the carrier of your choice. A $500 deposit via PayPal is due 24 hours after auction close. Payment must be made in full within 7 working days following auction close. Title and car will not be released until funds clear. Vehicle must be removed within 4 weeks of auction close unless you make other arrangements with me in advance. I will be making a trip from California to Louisiana around the first of the year and can deliver the car along my route for less than what a car hauler would charge. I have a clear California title to the car. As with any vintage car, no warranty is expressed or implied. Please feel free to ask any questions about the car or to request greater detail about any part of the car. You can contact me through eBay or call me at 510-266-2522. I can also supply additional pictures if you need them