This 1953 Studebaker Commander Regal Starliner hardtop coupe was acquired by the seller in November 2001, after which the body was removed from the frame for a cosmetic and mechanical overhaul. The exterior was refinished in two-tone silver and blue, the interior was redone in two-tone gray and blue cloth, and a carbureted Buick 350ci V8 was installed along with a T5z five-speed manual transmission and a Dana 44 rear axle with a limited-slip differential. The chassis was modified with a Ford Mustang II front end with disc brakes and tubular control arms, and QA1 shocks have been installed front and rear. Other features include 16″ wheels, a Nordskog digital dash unit, an Alpine stereo and speakers, air conditioning, a four-barrel Edelbrock carburetor, and dual exhaust. Approximately 14k miles have been added by the seller since completion of the project. This modified Studebaker is now offered with build notes and photos as well as a Washington title in the seller’s name.
The body was removed from the frame and the seller states that the car was sandblasted before rust repair was performed. The exterior is said to have been refinished BMW-sourced Steel Blue Metallic (372) with a Toledo Blue Metallic (482) roof. A decorative passenger-side mirror has been added, and the seller also notes blisters in the paint, chips on the hood, and a gouge forward of the driver-side door hinge. The paintwork and exterior trim are shown up close in the photo gallery below.
Five-spoke 16″ wheels from a 2003 Ford Taurus were sourced by the seller and are mounted with 205/60 front and 225/60 rear Michelin Energy tires, which were purchased in 2003. A Ford Mustang II front end has been installed along with tubular control arms and power steering. 11″ front disc brakes from a Chevrolet Camaro are paired with a Wilwood master cylinder and a proportioning valve. The rear is equipped with finned drum brakes, and QA1 shocks have been installed at each corner. The chassis has been braced with a crossmember and was media-blasted and refinished with POR-15 during the refurbishment.
The interior features front bucket seats sourced from a Honda Accord, which have been re-covered along with the rear bench in two-tone gray and blue cloth upholstery. The seller states that insulation was installed throughout, and the wiring was redone with an American Autowire harness with a modern fuse panel and a trunk-mounted battery. An Alpine stereo plays through four Alpine speakers, and air conditioning has been added along with a Wilwood brake pedal and an Offenhauser gas pedal. The seller notes that the passenger-side door requires extra care to close properly, the rear side windows do not operate smoothly, and the radio’s antenna draws power when the car is off.
A three-spoke steering wheel is mounted to a tilting Ididit steering column, and a Nordskog Performance Products digital dash has been installed in lieu of factory instrumentation. The digital odometer shows 14k miles, which is said to reflect the distance added by the seller; actual chassis mileage is unknown. The seller also notes that the speedometer jumps between 0 and 5 mph when rolling at fewer than 5pm, the gauges are hard to see on bright days, and the fuel gauge reads “24” when full (instead of “100”).
The Buick 350ci V8 is said to be of 1979 vintage and was sourced from Arizona by the seller. The engine was partially disassembled for inspection before the cylinder heads were rebuilt and the powerplant was installed in the car. Features include a TAPerformance TA 212 camshaft, replacement valve springs and hydraulic lifters, an Edelbrock Performer 600-cfm four-barrel carburetor with an electric choke, a Spectre cold-air intake, a TAPerformance aluminum intake manifold, MSD ignition, and an electric fuel pump. Tubular 15⁄8” exhaust headers feed a dual 2½” exhaust system with a crossover pipe. Service in prepararation for the sale included cleaning the fuel system and replacing the fuel filter, and the oil has been changed within the past 500 miles.
Power is delivered to the wheels through a Z-spec T5 five-speed manual transmission and a Dana 44 rear end with Moser axles, a limited-slip differential, and 3.54:1 final-drive ratio. An aftermarket clutch has been installed along with traction bars. Additional photos of the underside are presented in the gallery.
The image above shows the car with the body removed and the powertrain installed.
Photo Gallery
