Challenger or Commander ?

[2R5]

After the South Bend plant closed Studebaker Canada put Daytona interiors in their cheaper model 2d sedans , was it the Commander or the Challenger? If someone has pics of one of these it would be appreciated .

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1960 Champ
1964 Daytona HT

[2R5]

I think I found my answer ...it was a '64 Commander "special" , came with Daytona interior and also the dual headlights. Would still like to see any pics of these if someone has them.

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1960 Champ
1964 Daytona HT

[8E45E]

quote:Originally posted by 2R5

After the South Bend plant closed Studebaker Canada put Daytona interiors in their cheaper model 2d sedans , was it the Commander or the Challenger? If someone has pics of one of these it would be appreciated .

Challengers were never made or sold in Canada. After January 1st, 1964, there was a new model called the Commander Special which had the Daytona interior, complete with carpeting and dual headlights as standard.

Craig

[2R5]

Thanks Craig...do you have any idea how many of these were made?


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1960 Champ
1964 Daytona HT

[8E45E]

quote:Originally posted by 2R5

Thanks Craig...do you have any idea how many of these were made?

I have seen three, personally. Two sixes and a V8. I'm not sure how many were made, but Art might have those figures.

Craig

[2R5]

I've only seen one and that was in Mass. a couple years ago , it was a red one in very nice shape .Been kind of looking for one ever since .[]

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1960 Champ
1964 Daytona HT

[BobPalma]

The Commander Special option was a good value: It listed at $130. (Page 10, February 1993 Turning Wheels.)

Chances are, it was preparing dealers for the 1965 Daytona Sport Sedan, when a true 2-door hardtop would no longer be available. BP

[8E45E]

quote:Originally posted by BobPalma


Chances are, it was preparing dealers for the 1965 Daytona Sport Sedan, when a true 2-door hardtop would no longer be available. BP

I would also theorize that they were overstocked on 2 door Daytona door panels and carpets, and came up with this model to get rid of them.

Craig

[BobPalma]

You've certainly got a viable theory, there, Craig. Personally, I've never come up with what I considered to be a good reason why they offered that model. I agree; maybe they had too many Daytona hardtop interior trim pieces lying around.

Or could an alternate possibility have been in play? Perhaps they had too few certain J-body components and didn't want to make any more of those pieces, knowing they'd discontinue J and L bodies at the end of the 1964 run, so they started prepping people for a deluxe F body?

It would be interesting to know for sure why the Commander Special was offered. It just didn't seem to make any sense. One way or another, it may well have had something to do with either a surplus or a shortage of certain components. BP

[2R5]

Is there anyway of finding out how many they made?
Maybe this model would be a good candidate for a roster ?

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1960 Champ
1964 Daytona HT

[Swifster]

Oh, what the heck. Let's ask about the holy grail. Do you think there was any chance one of those Commander Specials made it out of Hamilton with 'R' power? I would think it would be possible with Studebaker still using their own engines for the '64 model year. Any thoughts?

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tom - Mulberry, FL

1964 Studebaker Daytona - 289 4V, 4-Speed (Cost To Date: $2125.60)

[2R5]

I was under the impression that no R engines were used after South bend closed ...but maybe that was only SC engines...I'm sure someone will enlighten us with the facts

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1960 Champ
1964 Daytona HT

[Steve T]

The engine foundry kept going a short while after the car plant shut down (of course the car plant had been sort of on hiatus even before the December '63 closing). I'd always heard though that no Hamilton cars were R-engined...? (Not counting recent restorations in that vein of course, like Barry's lovely Hamilton '64 R1 HT.)

Bob, you planning on making me covet yet another vehicle of yours?

S.

[8E45E]

quote:Originally posted by 2R5

Is there anyway of finding out how many they made?
Maybe this model would be a good candidate for a roster ?

The last roster keeper for the Commander Special was Randall Riddle in WA.

Craig

[2R5]

Does Randle fequent this forum ?
And Steve you have to remember Barry's HT is a clone

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1960 Champ
1964 Daytona HT