Magazine-Featured 1939 Studebaker Commander

This 1939 Studebaker Commander is a two-time Collectible Automobile magazine feature car that is described as a surviving, largely original, and mechanically sound sedan. It features a suicide door configuration and comes with wide whitewall tires, a factory radio, and its original 6-volt electrical system. Power comes from a 226ci flathead six paired with a 3-speed manual transmission. The seller has owned the vehicle for 14 years and states that the vehicle runs and drives well. Finished in Harvest Tan over a beige cloth interior, this Commander is now offered with a clear California title in the seller’s name.

The Commander name was applied to a number of vehicles under the Studebaker line beginning in model year 1927. This example from 1939 was positioned as a mid-range four-door offering just below the newly-introduced Champion. The body is finished in its original Harvest Tan and features suicide rear doors, black running boards, and a split rear window. The exterior brightwork for the bumpers, side moldings, and other trim was refinished and is free of pitting or corrosion. The car has received awards for its condition and originality at shows according to the seller.

Factory color-matched steel wheels with Studebaker-branded chrome center caps are wrapped in wide whitewall tires.

The interior has dual bench seats trimmed in beige cloth, reupholstered in 2007 and remaining free of any rips or tears. The door panels are finished in a darker cloth with manual window cranks, and the carpeting is black. Amenities include a functional AM radio, ashtrays both front and rear, a dark faux woodgrain dash finish, rear-passenger grab handles, and a wrapped steering wheel. The trunk contains a spare tire.

Instrumentation includes a 100-mph speedometer, an analog clock, and gauges for fuel level, oil pressure, voltage, and coolant temperature. The five-digit mechanical odometer reads approximately 56k miles, although true chassis mileage is unknown.

The 226ci flathead six is running well per the seller and was factory-rated at 90 horsepower when new. The electrical system retains its original 6-volt configuration. Power is transferred to the rear wheels via a 3-speed manual transmission with a column-mounted shift lever.

Additional photos showing the underside are available in the carousel.

The car has appeared on two separate covers of Collectible Automobile magazine.