1953 Studebaker Commander owned by Steve and Melody Hudson

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Issue

May 2014

Owner

Steve & Melody Hudson

Ride

Marilyn
(1963 Studebaker Commander)

Meaning Behind the Name

Isn't it obvious?

Photographer

Owner and Dale Moreau

Ride Details

Original Cost

$5000 for the barn find.

Build Cost

Never kept track

What was the inspiration?

Always thought the '53 Studebaker coupe was one of the most beautiful cars ever made, and a convertible version would be the ultimate.

How long did it take you to build?

20 years altogether, my share 8 years.

How long have you been building?

Since I started driving over 50 years ago.

Club Affiliations

Mid-Columbia Car Club, Studebaker Drivers Club

Your future plans?

Working on a '53 Studebaker Pro Touring and a '49 Studebaker Dually.

Vehicle history

Started as a '56 Golden Hawk hardtop damaged in a barn collapse. In 1983 the top was removed, the frame reinforced and a convertible mechanism from a '64 Dodge Dart grafted in place, along with front and rear sheetmetal and trim from a '53 coupe. The project was then abandoned, changed hands in the late 80's, and I discovered it in a barn in 1995. It took me another 8 years to get it on the road.

Thanks to

The help and advice of many many friends.

Previous Rides

'53 Studebaker Starliner, '37 Studebaker Coupe Express, '37 Studebaker sedan.

Engine Details

Make

Studebaker 1963

Cylinders

Displacement

289

Engine Mods

Factory Supercharged "R2" Avanti.

Engine Add Ons

Fuel injection. "R3" headers. Electronic ignition. AC.

Chrome or polish

Yes

Driveline Details

Gears

3.75 Dana 44 "Twin Traction"

Builder Shop

Charles Tubens and owner.

Chassis Details

Mods to Frame

Reinforced with steel plate and "ladder bar" under full length of rails.

Frame Builder

John Donaca did original reinforcement. Schroeder Speed & Custom re-worked rear suspension.

Drop or lift inches

Springs

Bagged.

Airbag Info

Air Ride Technologies Ride Pro.

Wheels Details

Front Wheel Type

Wheel Vintiques Kelsey Hays style wires.

Rear Wheel Type

Same

Front Wheel Size

15x6

Rear Wheel Size

15x7

Front Tire Size

225x70rx15

Rear Tire Size

245x70rx15

Paint Details

Color

PPG "Scarlet Red"

Paint Type

Single Stage "Concept" Urethane

Painted By

Owner. Painted in my home shop. Never did get real good at painting, but I got to be a real whiz at

Graphics By

Body Details

Bumpers

"Smoothed"

Body Mods

In addition to convertible conversion, body was lightly messaged to smooth out, seams filled etc., but I wanted it to look like something the factory could have produced, so kept "kustom" mods to a minimum. Most people think it is a nicely restored, or very minimally modified factory Studebaker convertible.

Body Mods by

Owner.