Desert Explorer

[Frank54]

I watched a cool video on YouTube that included some film of Desert Explorers on the Proving Grounds. Were many/any of these cars actually produced? Were they intended for military applications? Did any governments buy them? Were they available for private/retail sale?
Thanks for any info.

[RadioRoy]

They were made for Aramco oil company, as they looked for oil deposits that would make the Arabs rich beyond anyone's dreams.

One of the Arab princes had a 50 Commander convertible sand car.

[mbstude]

There was a carcass of one in the factory prototype dump site - in the middle of the test track at the factory Proving Grounds. There was an effort made to rescue that car a few years ago, and it literally collapsed in on itself. Since then, the most recent owners of the property have cleaned up that area and everything was scrapped.

The sand cars were a neat thing. They were all Commanders, or Commander powered pickup trucks. Lots of heavy duty components. 13” wheels with low pressure balloon tires.

If there are still any over there in the desert, it’s a well kept secret.

[Frank54]

Thanks. Production numbers available?

[8E45E]

A few earlier posts on the Sand Cars:

Sand Car Rebuild - 51 Commander NW Donor needed - Studebaker Drivers Club Forum

Sad Fate and New Hope of the 51 Sand Car Prototype - Studebaker Drivers Club Forum

Desert Explorer - Studebaker Drivers Club Forum

Studebaker factory film, desert explorer - Studebaker Drivers Club Forum

Desert Explorer info/pics wanted - Studebaker Drivers Club Forum

Craig

[Frank54]

Thanks again.