Produced by the Studebaker Corporation from 1927 to 1966, the Commander was a popular model known for its stylish design and reliable performance, debuting as a replacement for the Studebaker Big Six. Initially, it was available as a four-door sedan and a two-door coupe, and it featured a six-cylinder engine.
A significant redesign in 1932 introduced a more streamlined body and a more powerful engine to the Commander. The Commander enjoyed popularity through the 1930s and 1940s while seeing a number of improvements and updates. It was completely redesigned in 1947, with a new body style and strong V8 engine, it helped establish the company as a major player in the automobile industry.
To give you an idea of where we were in the world when this particular model was produced in 1954, it retailed for $2,235 and the cost of gas was only $0.22/gal.
Here’s some other interesting facts from that time period:
- the average home cost $10,250
- Marilyn Monroe married Joe DiMaggio
- mass vaccination of children against polio began in Pittsburgh, PA
- the words “under God” were added to the Pledge of Allegiance
- segregated schools were ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court
- Elvis Presley’s first single “That’s All Right” was released
- the last new episode of The Lone Ranger was aired on the radio
- the Miss America Pageant was broadcast on TV for the first time
- the McCarthy hearings were taking place during the Red Scare
- the TV dinner was introduced
- the first Burger King opened
- the first hydrogen bomb was tested, vaporizing three islands
- the first Sports Illustrated magazine was printed
- the first transistor radio was introduced by Texas Instruments
