This 1952 Studebaker Commander State is one of 1,715 convertible examples produced for the model years and was delivered new to its original owner in March 1952. The car was refurbished under prior ownership and spent approximately 17 years on display at the AACA Museum in Hershey, Pennsylvania, before being acquired by the seller in 2021. The car is refinished in Maui Blue over a red interior, and power is provided by a 232.6ci V8 mated to…
This 1952 Studebaker Commander State is one of 1,715 convertible examples produced for the model years and was delivered new to its original owner in March 1952. The car was refurbished under prior ownership and spent approximately 17 years on display at the AACA Museum in Hershey, Pennsylvania, before being acquired by the seller in 2021. The car is refinished in Maui Blue over a red interior, and power is provided by a 232.6ci V8 mated to a three-speed manual transmission equipped with overdrive. Features include a tan convertible top, a spotlight, fender skirts, and an AM radio. Work performed in preparation for the sale is said to have included replacement of the fuel pump.
The 1952 model year was the 100th anniversary of the Studebaker brand, and styling updates for the year would include the replacement of the :bullet nose” grille and incorporation of a centralized hood bulge. This example is refinished in Maui Blue with a tan convertible top, and additional features include a single spotlight, a “clam-digger” grille, fender-mounted fresh air vents, and rear fender skirts.
Painted 15″ steel wheels are equipped with Studebaker-branded covers and are mounted with Firestone wide-whitewall radial tires.
The interior features front and rear bench seats clad in red upholstery, and matching materials cover the side panels that are accented by chromed hardware. A painted dashboard and color-coordinated carpets further accent the interior trim, and additional features include a dash-mounted mirror, an AM radio, and a tissue dispenser housed above the passenger-side footwell.
The three-spoke steering wheel features a half horn ring and a Studebaker-crested center cap. Instrumentation consists of a 100-mph speedometer flanked by a clock and a combination gauge displaying engine temperature, oil pressure, fuel level, and amperage readouts. The five-digit odometer shows 1,500 miles, with true mileage unknown.
The 232.6ci OHV V8 is equipped with a two-barrel downdraft carburetor and was rated at 120 horsepower when new. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a column-shifted three-speed manual transmission equipped with overdrive. The fuel pump was replaced in preparation for the sale according to the seller.