Well now I know to look for a Dart to source the convertible top and then cut the top off a Commander/Hawk to get this style - what a beautiful combo! I know that several have been built over the years, and this one was definitely done right.
Makes you wonder that if Studebaker has built this car, would they still be in business. Beautiful lines, supercharged V8, air ride, convertible or coupe; what’s not to like?
They tried it on the cheap. If someone were to take that variation of the Commander it would sell for serious money. I've owned 3 Studebaker's. A 56 PowerHawk and 2 Avanti's. All designed as the American sports car for the family. This fellow had a helluva an eye and wallet.
@@MsNickie1001 Thinking on it my gf in college was a 62 Dodge 2dr. Same model exactly. I don't know if Studebaker licensed it or not. Certainly wasn't one of the Hawk series or my Avanti. My daily driver was a 64 442 so that was our normal car. Not the full 442 but the Cutlass 442 with everything the same except an auto trans. Lucky to have had so many good cars. You too.
Studebaker actually built 3 or 4 "Lowey Convertibles" early on. My recollection is that two went to Lowey and his wife, the others I'm not sure of. In early winter of 1966-1967 I saw one in St Paul, MN one night. My college room mate at the time was a Studebaker fan and when I told him, he said it wasn't possible. I confirmed I was sure, even knowing that the rear window was glass and not plastic, by the way it bounced as the car went down the street. It caused a bit of a stir in the local Studebaker club, but they were never able to find who owned the car.
My Dad bought a new 1953 Stude two door when he married Mom. He traded in a1946 Ford Sportsman woodie convertible. Dad had good taste in cars. This ragtop is gorgeous. My dream car.
If I were a bazillionaire I would have Icon or someone build me a restomod out of a 53-54 Commander. They were so far ahead of their time in terms of design and aerodynamics. Imagine one of these with modern suspension, brakes and NVH, and a reliable and powerful crate engine.
I'm pretty sure I saw this car at the joint SDC/AOAI meet in Sacramento in 2003. A heckuva head turner. This car has the "Tri Star" emblem which Mercedes complained about being too close to theirs. So Studebaker used it for only a very short time changing it to just a "V" with and "8" on it. That wasn't the only activity with Mercedes, though. From 1957 to 1963 Studebaker-Packard was the exclusive distributor of Mercedes-Benz in the U.S. and Canada and Mercedes was sold and serviced through Studebaker-Packard dealerships. More obscure, perhaps, is that the Avanti used Mercedes Benz door locks.
@@scootergeorge9576 Those would be after Studebaker ended production in the U.S. and that closing also closed the engine production facility. So those with Chevrolet engines would be Studebakers made in Canada until the end.
I love Studies, had a '49 sedan then a '51 coupe that would do 90 all day long, as solid steady as a fine sports car. But this, my man, is without peer.
This is definitely the one that Studebaker should have made. The lines of the Studebaker Hawk just lend themselves so well to a convertible. They might still be in business if they had made this car.
The purity of your design lines, keeping the original form but breathing that structural creativity (with help of.... okay, some borrowed automotive DNA) gives this one-off such a dynamic interpretation. This can fit in with any 50s top-end (domestic or otherwise) coachwork. The grafts truly enhance the original design, as I said, on a par with studio design "dreamcars"!
The Studebaker Lark was just the Hawk midsection with different front and rear clips. Since the Lark did come in convertible form, this wouldn't be all that difficult a conversion. Looks awesome.
Payed 100 bucks for a beautiful 53 hardtop. Unfortunately the motor blew and I left it on the side of the road where it quit. Body was ahead of it's time
This is an absolutely stunning car. Fantastic job and congratulations to Steve! I still own my '53 Commander in the same color, but it's needing a complete rebuild again after the first ground up resto with my dad back in '77-'78. It's been waiting for my new shop, but I'm absolutely inspired. What a beauty!
Miss Tex forever. Imagine his restoration would have come out like this with help from Sus. Recall you showing up in Sandy Point, NS with those in 1975. You were a great dive master and shark specialist. RiP Tex. If I make it to you folks in Heaven, have this car ready for me.
Unless this one has been repainted there is more than one of these convertibles. I just saw one last month at the Studebaker swap meet in Dunkirk, N.Y. That one was white but the hood was not open to examine the engine so I cannot say what powered it. Both the one I saw and the one shown here are beautiful cars. Such a missed opportunity. I have a 1955 Studebaker President coupe, truly a great car.
That is absolutely stunning. What a piece of work, looks factory! Studebaker should've put this into production.
That is stunning. In appearance and build. An absolute masterpiece.
One of the most impressive cars I’ve ever seen. Truly a work of art.
Definitely one of the most beautiful cars I've ever seen!
No it is one of the most beautiful cars you've NEVER seen. It's the Studebaker That Never Was
@@yannisgouras4482
Beautiful CGI, then.
@@firstnlastnamethe3rd771 it is a gorgeous car. It is a true 1 of 1
Style at its finest.
@@yannisgouras4482 pretty sure there are many shots of the car throughout the four minute video…meaning they COULD, in fact, see it.
Some cars are so drop dead gorgeous that you're left speechless, the only thing you want to do is admire. WOW!!
Marvelous. Studebaker design was ahead of the Big Three.
Thank you Dennis for taking us along with this share.
Dennis hit that right on the money when he said it's the most beautiful Studebaker he's ever seen. I'll bet it flies, too! Absolutely gorgeous!
I love Avantis but this is the "ULTIMATE" Studebaker, even if it never existed... this is the BEST original car ever...
Sadly, not much of this is the original car but a Frankenstein version of a car Studebaker should have built.
When my Dad bought his brand new 1953 Stude in 1953 the Pa. Dept of Trans. titled it as a Commander Convertible!! I still have the owners card.
What a gorgeous Studebaker Commander!!! The seats are spectacular!!! This is an excellent customization!!! 👍👍
What a car! Thanks Dennis for the show...again!
Absolutely gorgeous. Have loved that body style all my life! But a convertible, amazing!
Stunning build.
The 53-55 Studebaker was the best looking American car of the 50's.
Wow Dennis, you can definitely tell you love Studebaker's. Lol. You could hardly contain yourself.
Well now I know to look for a Dart to source the convertible top and then cut the top off a Commander/Hawk to get this style - what a beautiful combo! I know that several have been built over the years, and this one was definitely done right.
Dreams Can come true.That is Awesome !
That car is cool........no doubt about it.......he essentially had a blank canvas and put what he wanted in it........nicely done........👍👊
What a shame Studebaker never built this!
The most excited I've ever heard Dennis!
👍🚘💯💥😬
A 70 year old design and it still looks 'modern'.
Makes you wonder that if Studebaker has built this car, would they still be in business. Beautiful lines, supercharged V8, air ride, convertible or coupe; what’s not to like?
A master Craftsman and artist. Absolutely stunning.
I was thinking: now this is an awesome car! Then he opened the hood . . . Damn!
💙🍁This is the most stunning Studebaker I have seen. The workmanship is outstanding. What a car…much ✊ respect.🍁👍
Great work there.
That styling is going out with a bang!
Classy Chassis. I would be proud to own her.
gorgeous car
Great to see cars like this cherished and shown.
I love this studebaker coupester. Looks like it came from South Bend this way. What a beauty!
Beautiful! I WANT IT!
Timeless beauty! Apparently too beautiful for production. 😎
Stunning
Holy Moly that’s absolutely friggin nice 👍!
Great video! Thanks!
I don't know much about these but HOLY WOW!
Such a beautiful car...
I thought this looked like a Hawk but better. This would've been an iconic car . I wish Chevrolet would do a run of updated roadsters.
They tried it on the cheap. If someone were to take that variation of the Commander it would sell for serious money. I've owned 3 Studebaker's. A 56 PowerHawk and 2 Avanti's. All designed as the American sports car for the family. This fellow had a helluva an eye and wallet.
@@stuart_oneill I owned a 1963 Lark Cruiser. What a great car.
@@MsNickie1001 Thinking on it my gf in college was a 62 Dodge 2dr. Same model exactly. I don't know if Studebaker licensed it or not. Certainly wasn't one of the Hawk series or my Avanti. My daily driver was a 64 442 so that was our normal car. Not the full 442 but the Cutlass 442 with everything the same except an auto trans. Lucky to have had so many good cars. You too.
Awesome car...made even better with Stude power!
ABSOLUTELY a VERY beautiful car
Looks better than the stuff you see today, has real style.
I can't believe how beautiful that Stud is. Should take 1st every weekend.
Beautiful one off.
Studebaker actually built 3 or 4 "Lowey Convertibles" early on. My recollection is that two went to Lowey and his wife, the others I'm not sure of. In early winter of 1966-1967 I saw one in St Paul, MN one night. My college room mate at the time was a Studebaker fan and when I told him, he said it wasn't possible. I confirmed I was sure, even knowing that the rear window was glass and not plastic, by the way it bounced as the car went down the street. It caused a bit of a stir in the local Studebaker club, but they were never able to find who owned the car.
Can't blame Dennis for getting excited..... that car is absolutely beautiful 😱👍🤤
wish they could started it up Studebakers just lov that
Yeah, I would have liked to hear that supercharger whine!
The Studebaker was highly underrated Gr8 Car
WOW! JUST BEAUTIFUL!
Absolutely gorgeous!
My Dad bought a new 1953 Stude two door when he married Mom. He traded in a1946 Ford Sportsman woodie convertible. Dad had good taste in cars. This ragtop is gorgeous. My dream car.
That is one awesome looking vehicle.. & yep real European Lines
That is one impressive looking engine!
What a fantastic car.
If I were a bazillionaire I would have Icon or someone build me a restomod out of a 53-54 Commander. They were so far ahead of their time in terms of design and aerodynamics. Imagine one of these with modern suspension, brakes and NVH, and a reliable and powerful crate engine.
A lot of these were made into race cars either drag or salt flats speed cars.
I'm pretty sure I saw this car at the joint SDC/AOAI meet in Sacramento in 2003. A heckuva head turner. This car has the "Tri Star" emblem which Mercedes complained about being too close to theirs. So Studebaker used it for only a very short time changing it to just a "V" with and "8" on it. That wasn't the only activity with Mercedes, though. From 1957 to 1963 Studebaker-Packard was the exclusive distributor of Mercedes-Benz in the U.S. and Canada and Mercedes was sold and serviced through Studebaker-Packard dealerships. More obscure, perhaps, is that the Avanti used Mercedes Benz door locks.
And 1964-66 Studebakers used Chevy engines.
@@scootergeorge9576 Those would be after Studebaker ended production in the U.S. and that closing also closed the engine production facility. So those with Chevrolet engines would be Studebakers made in Canada until the end.
I love Studies, had a '49 sedan then a '51 coupe that would do 90 all day long, as solid steady as a fine sports car. But this, my man, is without peer.
what a sharp car
Like the saying goes; SWEET!
MAGNIFICENT ! !
I've been admiring this car for years. Thanks for the close-up on this beautiful ride.
That is definitely one of a kind such beautiful work would love to have it.🇺🇸🍻
Absolutely beautiful.........
Thank you!!!
This is definitely the one that Studebaker should have made. The lines of the Studebaker Hawk just lend themselves so well to a convertible. They might still be in business if they had made this car.
Dennis nailed it. That is the most beautiful Studebaker ever.
So many YT sites have titles with the word "stunned" because the content is bullshit. But this car is the real deal. Incredible.
Wow! I can see the defiantly justified excitement from Dennis! What a beautiful proper car!!!!!
*definitely
The purity of your design lines, keeping the original form but breathing that structural creativity (with help of.... okay, some borrowed automotive DNA) gives this one-off such a dynamic interpretation.
This can fit in with any 50s top-end (domestic or otherwise) coachwork. The grafts truly enhance the original design, as I said, on a par with studio design "dreamcars"!
Man that thing is drop dead gorgeous
Gorgeous
Absolutely beautiful!!
Respect for all the work put in to that piece of art! Dreamcar!
Perfect color choices. The interior adds to the beauty.
Amazing car. 😎👍
It Does mean ALOT coming from you, Dennis. 😁👍
Awesome car
Beautiful. What a gorgeous vehicle.
LOVE to of heard it run. Now that is a prize automobile.
The Studebaker Lark was just the Hawk midsection with different front and rear clips. Since the Lark did come in convertible form, this wouldn't be all that difficult a conversion. Looks awesome.
Need to go back to school The Lark is totally a different car than a hawk period. No glass , sheet metal or chassis shared.
The car looks fantastic! And keeping the drivetrain Studebaker is awesome. I was wondering what, if anything was done to stiffen the frame.
I had a 63 Commander 2 dr. V8...4 SPD automatic nice car also had a 57 Silver hawk
WOW !! they never build the best ones. Beautiful car !! Well done.
Wowsers what a beauty , Those were the days, 🥰
Fantastic car mate
It’s a shame studebaker didn’t make this, they might have survived, outstanding car👍
beautiful
Wow! Can I have one? 😃
No? 😥
Wah. 😭
A real beaut! 👍👍👍👍
I keep imagining this car in Avanti gold. Of course, it would be stunning in practically any color.
That is quite possibly the most beautiful car I have ever seen!
Payed 100 bucks for a beautiful 53 hardtop. Unfortunately the motor blew and I left it on the side of the road where it quit. Body was ahead of it's time
53 was a beautiful car.
As a young man I built this car in my dreams for decades. I never had the money or skills to make it happen. This is indeed... the car of my dreams.
Very nice - it would be interesting to see it with the top up.
This is an absolutely stunning car. Fantastic job and congratulations to Steve! I still own my '53 Commander in the same color, but it's needing a complete rebuild again after the first ground up resto with my dad back in '77-'78. It's been waiting for my new shop, but I'm absolutely inspired. What a beauty!
I absolutely agree with Dennis here. I think the only thing I would have done different would have been going for a green as the car's color.
Miss Tex forever. Imagine his restoration would have come out like this with help from Sus. Recall you showing up in Sandy Point, NS with those in 1975. You were a great dive master and shark specialist. RiP Tex. If I make it to you folks in Heaven, have this car ready for me.
Unless this one has been repainted there is more than one of these convertibles. I just saw one last month at the Studebaker swap meet in Dunkirk, N.Y. That one was white but the hood was not open to examine the engine so I cannot say what powered it. Both the one I saw and the one shown here are beautiful cars. Such a missed opportunity. I have a 1955 Studebaker President coupe, truly a great car.
What a beautiful automobile!
amazing, just saw the 20million $ Rolls Boat Tail, this is as nice if not better