differences between the commander and champion models??

[rideevo]

hi,
I am new to Studebakers and am looking at 2 door 53'to 56' coupes
what is the main differences between the commander and champion models?

[d***@yahoo.com]

The main diff is that Champions had the flat head 6 cylinder and
Commanders had the OHV V8. The Champions also had smaller brakes, and
thinner frames. Dash layouts were different, as well as a few other
minor details. In 53 and 54 at least (I'm not as familiar with 55's
and 56's), you could get top-of-the-line trim (Regal) in either the
commander or champion. Studebaker's names for their cars were too long
back then (IMHO).

1954 Studebaker Champion Regal Starlight Coupe doesn't roll off the
tongue as easily as 1954 Chevy Belair Coupe <g>.

-Dick-

[Nate Nagel]

Post by rideevo
hi,
I am new to Studebakers and am looking at 2 door 53'to 56' coupes
what is the main differences between the commander and champion models?

champion = flathead six, smaller brakes (10" front, 9" rear)
commander = V-8, good brakes (11"/10")

nate

[Craig Parslow]

Post by Nate Nagel

Post by rideevo
hi,
I am new to Studebakers and am looking at 2 door 53'to 56' coupes
what is the main differences between the commander and champion models?

champion = flathead six, smaller brakes (10" front, 9" rear)
commander = V-8, good brakes (11"/10")

We may want to go a bit further here...the 'coupe' body style, or 'C'
became the Hawk series in 1956. The "Champion" version which is labelled
'56G' is known as the Flight Hawk, and the "Commander" version (56B) will be
the Power Hawk in that series.

Craig


http://home.comcast.net/~njnagel

[bob m]

Well, there is the sedanette as well in 53-56 that was labeled Champion
and Commander. These cars sometimes show up on ebay as Studebaker 2
doors but these are 116" wheelbase vs 120" wheelbase on the coupes.
They show up on ebay as 53-56 2 doors but they are not the Bourke
coupes (lowey coupes) that everyone wants.

53-4 commander 232 v8 120-127 HP
53-4 champion 169 85 hp
55 commander 224 v8 140 hp and 259 v8 160-175 hp
55 champion 185 six 101 hp
56 six and v8 just about the same but higher hp on v8
ahhhhh forget it stirred up enough mud already

Bob Miles
Tucson AZ

[Craig Parslow]

Post by bob m
Well, there is the sedanette as well in 53-56 that was labeled Champion
and Commander. These cars sometimes show up on ebay as Studebaker 2
doors but these are 116" wheelbase vs 120" wheelbase on the coupes.
They show up on ebay as 53-56 2 doors but they are not the Bourke
coupes (lowey coupes) that everyone wants.

Yep, you're correct about the 'F' body, but Studebaker always referred to it
as a 2 door 'sedan' or 'coach'. I believe 'coupe' in Studebaker literature
goes back way before WWII with the Q- body which either had fixed rear
quarter windows or slid back a couple of inches, or no quarter windows at
all. As far as I know, not counting the Scotsman, all the 'F' bodies had
crank down rear quarter windows.

Craig.

[64daytonaht]

Depending on condition, I'd say the difference between $5k and $10k.

Bo

Post by rideevo
hi,
I am new to Studebakers and am looking at 2 door 53'to 56' coupes
what is the main differences between the commander and champion models?

[Dwain G.]

Most years Champions and Commanders were two very different cars that
happened to share quite a few body parts. Actually very FEW body parts
previous to 1951.
Champions were lighter cars with smaller engines, brakes, transmissions,
rear axles, and even had a completely different instrument panel through
1954.