1939 Studebaker Commander

For sale by auction on Saturday 31 August 2013 with Historics at Brooklands. Brooklands Motor Racing Circuit. Weybridge. Surrey. Call 01753 639170
This rare righthand drive 1939 Studebaker Commander was sold new
via Needham's Motors Studebaker dealership in Sydney. Australia.
The car was originally given as an 18th birthday present by her
father to a Miss Clare Glasson who kept it until the car was sold
after she passed away in the early 1990's. Typically. export
Studebakers were shipped from South Bend. Indiana as a chassis with
bonnet. fenders and doors and finished on arrival to avoid import
duties that fully assembled cars attracted. This particular example
was assembled and bodied by T. J. Richards coachworks in Adelaide. br/>South Australia. T. J. Richards later became Holden bodyworks in
1940 and was taken over by General Motors just after the second
world war. In the mid-1990's the car was given a full 'nut and
bolt' body-off restoration. having been sound. unmolested and
virtually rust-free beforehand.

Originally finished in Balsam Green. the body was repainted in
two-tone green metallic. giving the car a striking look. while the
mechanics. including the engine. transmission. front suspension and
brakes. were fully rebuilt. The interior was also fully re-trimmed
in maroon leather with all fittings and wood graining restored and
dashboard gauges reconditioned. A genuine period AWA radio has also
been fitted under the dash and is in full working order following
recent refurbishment.
Acquired by the current vendor's family in 2007 from a UK based
Studebaker collector. the car has made a number of appearances in
the pre-1966 car park at the Goodwood Revival in recent years. and
always attracts considerable attention. With its lounge-like
interior. the car provides the perfect period transportation for
this type of event. Under the current ownership the car has
required very little attention and has benefitted from
approximately £4. 00 worth of invoices. maintaining the vehicle to
a high standard and making some minor improvements (including a new
set of white wall tyres in 2010 which are still perfectly fresh).
The only non-standard modification to the car has been the fitting
of a discreet 12v starter circuit to ensure the car starts 'on the
button'. Having covered 102. 65 miles from new and supplied with a
folder of paperwork. restoration photographs. V5 registration
document. owner's handbook. a complete set of workshop and parts
manuals. together with a selection of spares. it is exempt from
both road tax and MoT. although an engineer's report will be
supplied to demonstrate road-worthiness. Studebakers of this period
are renowned for being powerful. reliable. comfortable and above
all very driveable. This example is in fine condition and should
give the next owner many years of driving pleasure.

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