Studebaker Commander Cabriolet - Unique 'One-Off' Cars in Australia pt.2
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Back in 2009, we put together a list of 13 of our favourite one-offs that had been featured in Unique Cars – or advertised for sale (not counting modified cars or ‘specials’). At number two on the list was this Studebaker Commander cabrio
Studebaker Commander Cabriolet
From Unique Cars #300, Jun/Jul 2009
Just looking at this car makes you want to time travel back to post-WWII America, when hope, optimism and automotive extravagance were at unprecedented highs.
With its aero-inspired bullet-nose front, streamlined Raymond Loewy design, overhead-valve V8 and cheerful colour scheme, ‘New Look’ Studebakers like this Commander Cabriolet highlight everything that’s desirable about ’50s classics.
| Read next: American Motors/Studebaker 2019 Market Review
Never officially imported Down Under, this ’51 example is believed to be the only surviving example of a handful of right-hand drive, V8 Commander Cabriolets that made it to Australia, in this case via an RAAF base in Malaysia. If not for a Queensland enthusiast who took it from a derelict wreck to the immaculate beauty it is today, via a painful, two and a half year restoration, we might have missed out altogether on enjoying the sight of this soft-top stunner.
Unique 'one-off's in Oz:
Part 1: Nissan R34 GT-R Z-Tune
Our top 13 'One-Off' list:
2. Studebaker Commander Cabriolet
3. Porsche 959
4. Lincoln Model K Lebaron Coupe
7. Clement
8. 1938 Lancia Astura Farina Cabriolet
10. Alfa Romeo G1
11. BMW M1
12. Ferrari 750 Monza
13. Dodge Daytona
Unique Cars magazine Value Guides
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