1953 studebaker commander convertable might have found one.... HELP!!!

[studegary]

I wonder why there is a v8 under the hood and the hood itself says v8 in the middle? Did Studebaker ever put a v8 in a champion, or could it be ordered by the customer from the dealer? The reason I ask is that the car in question was junked in 1962 and if it is a 51 Champion the commander had a option of a v8. Also if there was a engine swap from the 6 to the 8 and then junking the car all within that 11 years or so it seems like a waste.

I will know more tomorrow I have all the information and pic's I could get my hands on. Thank you all for your help it's been helpful and I will post everything I find out and pic's.

In 1951, the Champion came with a six and the V8 could NOT be ordered as an option. The Commander did NOT have "...a (sic) option of a V8". The Commander only came as a V8 (standard equipment).

As said, the body number and serial number will tell the story.

[luck]

In 1951, the Champion came with a six and the V8 could NOT be ordered as an option. The Commander did NOT have "...a (sic) option of a V8". The Commander only came as a V8 (standard equipment).

As said, the body number and serial number will tell the story.

Ok I have arrived and took the pictures and numbers of the car. There are more but would only let me post 5.
pic of body number under hood

pic of hood with v8 and champion logo

pic of v8 number on block from 1950. notice it's a 6 cyl number from 1950. probably prototype because the v8 did not come out yet, no letter and is not on the back of engine its on the front

pic of v8 logo

pic of v8

please enjoy the pic's. still have no idea on what this is but i hope there is a answer
thank you

[fatboylust]

For the engine serial number you will need to look for the stamped numbers located on the top of the block next to the distributer (rear of block). The cast numbers are casting numbers which don't tell whole the story.

[whacker]

This is a 1951 Commander, from the bullet style on the nose. The engine looks like a 232, the stamped engine serial number will be on the machined pad to the left of the distributor (facing the engine from the front).

[bezhawk]

So, if I put a Golden Hawk emblem on a 6 cylinder Lark.....it is transformed instantly into a Golden Hawk??????
I did not know this!

After half a century and more, many things have been changed on vehicles.
Probably broke the Commander script and replaced with a Champion script from used or salvage vehicle.

[luck]

1951

The present owner has had the car since 1960 and baught it from a friend who was the origional owner. Car has not been driven or seen since 62

I don't think anyone would fake A champion for A commander back then because of loss of money the commander was a more expensive model

[aarrggh]

How about a picture of the whole car , instead of bits and pieces . . ? ! ..............

[woodysrods]

It is easy to tell what this is! It is a ratty old studebaker that needs a total restoration. Which will cost two to three times what the car will be worth in the end if done riight.
Those are the pure and simple facts. Not just some fantasy about an un earthed proto type.
Not trying to sound negative just pointing out the facrts.
Brian

[StudeRich]

As we all said right from the very start..."THE BODY TAG TELLS THE STORY!".

This car's BODY is a 1951 Champion Six Convertible body number 3774, that's IT.

AND it's "G" Serial # which IS a Champion 6.

The rest is just very common shadetree upgrades ie: a V8 hood ornament and a V-8 Engine!

We don't know about the frame, the whole thing could be a Commander V-8 even.
If the prior owner did buy this new, it is highly unlikely that he bought it in this configuration unless he paid the Dealer a LOT of money to modify it, and it would be a lot cheaper to just buy a Commander or if none were available, wait for Sept. 1951 to get a '52.

[luck]

I managed to obtain the engine number and I have the original owner's name and info. the engine number is v76987 witch is strange. it's a 51 commander motor and if these numbers go in any type of sequence they may have left the factory at the same time as the body tag. There is no interest for me money wise in this. Not my car even. Just automotive genealogy so to speak. I may contact the museum just to see what comes up but thanks for the help. sorry for the trouble

[laughinlark]

No trouble Luck. I'm no expert on this model, its a lot older than the ones I drive..
Sorry, I edited my post because the linkage comment was incorrect.
Gordon