52 Commander Value

[kb3]

First...I am new here so if this is not appropriate please let me know.

I have a 1952 Commander State Starliner Hardtop that I am contemplating selling. How does someone go about figuring out a value for a car such as this? It is all original and has been sitting for nearly 40 years in a garage. Mice have destroyed the seats, everything else is pretty nice.

Can someone point me in the right direction?

Thanks in advance.....

Ken

[2R5]

This is a good place to get info on it but pictures would help alot.

[snowy_buffalo]

I've been casually looking for a 52 Hardtop to purchase. Kind of a bucket list type of thing. I've found them on several different sites listed for from $1000 to $9500 depending on condition. If the mice have destroyed your seats then you obviously won't be on the high end of that pricing but where else it may fall will depend some on the car's location (which you didn't fill out in your profile when you registered) and what one might see in pics or first hand inspection.

As my profile says, I'm in Independence Mo. which is a Kansas City suburb. Where are you located in case I wanted to look at the car?

Any other contact info for you since the "system" won't allow private messages to you until you've had something like 10 posts?

[rockne10]

Old Cars Price Guide and NADA values can give you some ideas but, they are never truly accurate.

http://www.nadaguides.com/Classic-Cars/1952/Studebaker/Commander-State/2-Door-Starliner/Values

If your contemplation turns to reality, best to determine the least you would take for it and make that your reserve on Ebay or some other auction site.

[kb3]

My great grandmother gave me this car in the late 70's. It has been stored in a garage here in California ever since. Yes a California car, so no rust short of surface rust. The car has not started in will over 30 plus years. While the seats need to be redone as well as the carpet, the rest of the car is in pretty good shape given the age. The door panels and headliner are nearly perfect. All of the interior stainless shines, the exterior chrome and stainless is pitted. With a carb rebuild and new gas I think I could get it to run!

I can be reached via email at khb3met@aol.com

thanks for the help so far!

[ozarkman]

You have an excelent start to a great car. A running car will bring more than one that doesn't.

[kb3]

You have an excelent start to a great car. A running car will bring more than one that doesn't.

I will most likely sell the car as-is. I have too many other projects needing my time. This one will be on a back burner for 10 more years, hence the reason I am thinking about selling it.

[Michidan]

That looks like a terrific, complete car. This is Studebakers first hardtop. While not exactly 'rare' (they made over 26,000 Champions and Comander hardtops in 1952) they are definitely unique and not often seen anymore. I've been keeping a registry of surviving examples, you can see some stats at www.studebakerhardtop.com.
Your great grandmother had excellent taste in cars.