1953 Studebaker V8 Land Cruiser 4 Door Sedan (RHD)
Sold: $10,000
Specifications
Engine | V8, 233-cid |
---|---|
Gearbox | 3-speed manual |
Body Work | Sedan |
Colour | Studebaker Bombay Red |
Interior | Brown |
Trim | Vinyl |
Wheels | Steel disc |
Brakes | Drums |
Description
Founded in South Bend, Indiana by brothers Henry and Clement Studebaker in February 1852 as a small blacksmith shop, the Studebaker Corporation had a habit of doing things a little differently, introducing a new low-slung look for the Champion and Commander series for 1953 under the direction of Robert E Bourke, head of Raymond Loewy’s design studio. Although no convertible was offered, Studebaker continued with a two-door hardtop coupe (badged as the Starlight), and both two and four-door sedans. Powered exclusively by the V8, the Commander was available in three trim levels – Deluxe, Regal and Land Cruiser, the latter built on an extended wheelbase with vent windows in the rear doors. Displacing 232.6 cubic inches, Studebaker’s small block V8 was rated at 120 horsepower and featured a Stromberg two-barrel carburettor. Retailing for $2,316, just 15,981 Land Cruisers were built in 1953. Studebaker always had a following in Australia and early post-war sales were quite strong, albeit predominantly for trucks. In 1953 a total of 190 Studebakers were sold here, of which 141 were cars – the majority of these were Champions but a handful of Land Cruisers did make it here. Few of these remain on the road today, making the car offered here something of a rarity.