53 commander land cruiser question

[Mackstude]

I'm new to this site and new to studebakers. Well almost - I'm looking at purchasing my first a running 53 commander land cruiser that has 63k original miles runs good, looks real fair on outside with repaint and looks great on interior all new, everything is there and most everything works.

in my quest for info on this year and model I am finding next to none listed for sale and very little information on this car. Years prior and years after have much more info available.

I have two questions:
1- Is this year and model undesirable to the point nobody wants them?
2- where can I find more info as to fair market value and the ins and outs of this particular year and model from the perspective of a collector or anthusiast.

any info is appreciated.

[drrotor]

Everyone has an opinion, so I don't claim to be right about mine... that being said, I would say most people would agree that the 4-door sedans in general, and in particular the '53-'55 variants are quite a bit less desirable than their low-slung "Lowey" style brothers of the same years. However... of all the '53 sedans, the Land Cruiser would be the one to have! It's on a much longer wheelbase than the other Sedans, and as a result it's styling is in much more in proportion than the others, and would almost certainly be better equipped with trim and options. It was a comparatively high priced model in it's day. Sounds like a lovely car. "Condition, Cost, Colors, & 'quipment", in that order, my boss in the car business used to say many years ago

[TWChamp]

Is it a stick with overdrive? That would be my preference. 1953 has a beautiful grill, probably the nicest design ever for a passenger car. I have a 1952 Land Cruiser and really like it. It was my only driver for the late 60's and early 70's, until some neighbors vandalized it. I'd grab the Stude in a minute if the price fits your budget.

[SN-60]

If it has an automatic transmission, be sure to drive it around the block a few times to determine if it's shifting properly.....Those early '50-'55 automatics are expensive to repair, and parts to fix them are quite scarce!

[StudeRich]

All 1953 to 1966 Studebakers tend to have VERY well designed, dependable and quite Strong Mechanicals, so there are no really Big problems except the normal things to look for in Cars this old, like Floor and Trunk RUST, also the Rear edge of the Front Fender RUST, if the Price is in your budget as said in post #3, it could be a sweet, underappreciated, maybe under Priced Find!

The 1954's are more plentiful: The Land Cruisers were well into the Buick, Oldsmobile, Desoto and Mercury, Luxury and Price Class and Tom McCahill of Mechanics Illustrated Magazine called them a "Best BUY in Class!"

[SN-60]

All 1953 to 1966 Studebakers tend to have VERY well designed, dependable and quite Strong Mechanicals, so there are no really Big problems except the normal things to look for in Cars this old, like Floor and Trunk RUST, also the Rear edge of the Front Fender RUST, if the Price is in your budget as said in post #3, it could be a sweet, underappreciated, maybe under Priced Find!

[ATTACH=CONFIG]58050[/ATTACH] The 1954's are more plentiful: [ATTACH=CONFIG]58051[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]58052[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]58053[/ATTACH] The Land Cruisers were well into the Buick, Oldsmobile, Desoto and Mercury, Luxury and Price Class and Tom McCahill of Mechanics Illustrated Magazine called them a "Best BUY in Class!"

......True, excepting for the transmission issue I've mentioned.

[Mackstude]

Thanks for the replays.
Are there any real concerns with the 53 frame? I looked for cracks near the engine motor and cross mounts and although it would be hard to see I could not see any visible signs of the frame rails being bent and all the doors look and feel
aligned very well.

[StudeRich]

The Stude. frames are not usually a problem if you do not see collision damage.
Sometimes on 2 Door Sedans, Collision damaged or Very High Mileage Cars, there may be cracking starting at the large Rivet that fastens the front Crossmember to the frame side rails at the Coil Spring Pocket inboard.

A Gusset can be welded over the area to repair it.

[Hallabutt]

Unless the car is from the rust prone eastern part of the country, or a California "beach car," or in some other way abused by accident or neglect, there shouldn't be any particular problem with the frame. The place to check is around the front spring perches where they do tend to develop cracks. Cracking here can be easily repaired, if the cracks have not been allowed separate.

Try to separate transmission concerns from personal preference comments that you may see. Studebaker considered their automatic transmission to be the best on the market when it came out in 1950. Some have been in service for over sixty years without problems. Fact is that if the trans is shifting properly and doesn't make any unusual noises there shouldn't be any problem. You're not going to spin the tires (maybe in low range) and it may seem like the car is underpowered from a stop, but that is the nature of the beast! With 120 hp and an AT it takes a bit to get the car moving, but this is a sixty three year old car! Learn to accept a bit of trans fluid seepage, it's endemic and the cure can be expensive. By 1956 when the unit cost of the trans became more then Studebaker could sustain, Jaguar thought enough of it to continue to use it well into the sixties. Bottom line is that the car that you are considered was their top of the line offering by Studebaker and it deserves more then just casual consideration!

[TWChamp]

That first picture Rich posted of the 53 sure is a beautiful car. I like it much better than the 54 with the added side trim, but they are both nice looking cars.

I just found out my neighbor is selling his nice 1950 Champion for $7900. He says he has too many cars and needs to sell a couple. I think he should sell his 49 Jeepster and keep the Studebaker.

[rockne10]

The sedans made by Studebaker 1953-1958 are considered some of their best engineered and most comfortable riding but not the sexiest of all their products. Other than the additional 4" in the frame and some sheetmetal, all mechanicals are common to all models, and just as easy to find.
And, as far as Ed's concerns about those automatic transmissions, the only '51 and '53 models I've owned still have their original DG200 automatics. I've adjusted the bands on one and replaced the park pawl on the other. With periodic service they are practically bulletproof; and between SI and Fatsco practically everything is available. His real concern may be that technicians familiar with them are getting scarce but, through the Studebaker Drivers Club network one will have no trouble finding those specialists.

[SN-60]

Basically, I do agree with what 'Hallabutt' is saying....if the '53 has a good working unit, shifting well, and TC locking up as it should,..go easy with it and it will probably last for many more happy miles.

However, when you road test this car before buying it, if the automatic transmissions shows signs of problems, (other than minor leaks), expect very expensive repair bills 'down the road'!!

That's the 'bottom line' on this transmission subject...and don't let anyone tell you different!

[Mackstude]

Well now you guys are in for it... I pulled the trigger on the 53 and i will have lots of questions to come. Meanwhile here are a few pics.

[DougHolverson]

The sedans made by Studebaker 1953-1958 are considered some of their best engineered and most comfortable riding but not the sexiest of all their products.

I'm wondering how double-enders, Larks and Hawks rate against this?

[TWChamp]

I'm sure you made the right decision, and one you won't regret. That car is beautiful and I'd have jumped at the chance to own it.