Studebaker Commander Cabriolet - Unique 'One-Off' Cars in Australia pt.2

By: Unique Cars magazine

Date: 05.03.2020

Presented by

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.

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:

1. Nissan R34 GT-R Z-Tune

2. Studebaker Commander Cabriolet

3. Porsche 959

4. Lincoln Model K Lebaron Coupe

5. Plymouth AAR 'Cuda

6. Chevrolet Corvette L88

7. Clement

8. 1938 Lancia Astura Farina Cabriolet

9. 1958 Buick Limited

10. Alfa Romeo G1