Looking for info

[afgarcia86]

I am trying to learn more about the 53' Commander. Links would be great, or a couple answers to some most likely dumb questions. I have a limited knowledge of GT Hawks and Avanti's but I am more and more falling in love with the 53 Commander Coupe.

Whats the difference between the "Starlight/Starliner"?

Does the 53' Commander only come in a coupe with a V8 and does that make it a Starliner? My understanding is that the 2 door sedan and 4 door models are Champions?

If the 53' Starliner is different form the regular 53' Coupe what are the tell tell signs?

Thanks for sharing your knowledge!

[candbstudebakers]

The 53 starliner is the hardtop style with out a pillar, it can be either a champion of a commander with the commander having the V-8 engine . It is refereed to as the "K" body car. The coupe is refereed to as the "C" body car and has the pillar and small swing out rear 1/4 windows it also can be either a champion of commander, and is called the starlight . with the 2 door sedan and the 4 door sedan they can also be either a champion or commander a 6 cly or a v-8. the tell tale signs of the two can be the word commander on the trunks and the V-8 emblem on the rear 1/4 panels along with a small 8 above the tri-star on the trunk and hood if it is an early car of if it is a car assembled in LA. If for some reason you are really looking for a commandeer coupe I have a rust free commander with 3 speed and over drive now for sale here in California, I am sure I might have missed something here but others will fill in thing like body trim and of course the dashes are different. also the word champion or commander on the front side grille bars, the body tag will also tell you if it is a coupe or a hardtop and also if a champion or commander.

[Pat Dilling]

1953 was the first year for the Loewy Coupes also know as C/K cars. (C is the starlight, K is the Starliner) These are the lower and longer cars compared to the sedans. The Starliner is the hard top or pilarless coupe.



The Starlight Coupe has a B Pilar, here are a Starliner on the left and a Starlight on the right



Both models were offered as Commanders with V8 power or Champions with a 6 cylinder. There are also various levels of trim within the Commander and Champion lines. Hope that helps, I'm sure others will chimes in

[Dick Steinkamp]

Starlight = 2 door coupe (with a B pillar). Not to be confused with a 2 door sedan. The coupe (Starlight) is low and slinky. The sedan is more upright.





Starliner = 2 door hardtop (no B pillar)



Commander = V8 powered cars. All body styles

Champion = 6 cylinder powered cars. All body styles.

Commander Starlight, Champion Starlight, Commander Starliner, and Champion Starliner.

To make it more confusing, there are different trim levels. Fortunately only one for Starliner...Regal. (Commander Regal Starliner and Champion Regal Starliner). However, there are 2 (Deluxe and Regal) for the Starlight (Commander Deluxe Starlight, Champion Deluxe Starlight, Commander Regal Starlight, and Champion Regal Starlight)

[afgarcia86]

Thanks for all the info guys. This is all very helpful. I had not noticed the pillar until seeing the cars next to each-other.

Is one model more rare then the other, or more valuable? I am trying to take a look at a 53 commander coup for sale in my area once the snow melts. Just wondering if there are any major trim call outs I should look for.

I love both body styles but if I had to choose I think the Starliner is a little smoother.

[studegary]

To learn most all that you will want to know about 1953-1954 C/K cars, buy the book: "Studebaker's Finest". I believe that SI has the best price on the book and you will also be helping a Studebaker vendor.

[afgarcia86]

Thanks for the tip, I just ordered the book.

@candbstudebakers I sent you a PM.

[Pat Dilling]

I am not sure on production numbers, but I think the Starliner generally is regarded as more desirable/valuable. The Starlights tend to be a bit more solid because of the roof pillar and upper door frame. But both are darn good looking cars.

[BobWaitz]

Probably the most important thing to know about these cars is that as far as body and trim parts are concerned is that C/K parts do NOT interchange with sedan parts! A hood from a '54 Champion will fit just fine on a '53 Commander. A '53 C/K tail-light bezel is not the same as a '53 sedan tail-light bezel.

[53commander]

Thanks for the tip, I just ordered the book.

You'll find yourself reading it quite a few times. It's a great book.

[53k]

Thanks for all the info guys. This is all very helpful. I had not noticed the pillar until seeing the cars next to each-other.

Is one model more rare then the other, or more valuable? I am trying to take a look at a 53 commander coup for sale in my area once the snow melts. Just wondering if there are any major trim call outs I should look for.

I love both body styles but if I had to choose I think the Starliner is a little smoother.

Andres,
NADA Collector Car Price guide shows the following values for 53 C and K cars (not necessarily believeable, but shows the differences).
'53 Champion Starlight, high retail $11,800
'53 Champion Starliner, high retail $11,250
'53 Commander Starlight, high retail $12,800
'53 Commander Starliner, high retail $16,500
Having said all that, a coupe is much easier to work on. Ks rattle more, have complicated rear side window mechanisms, tend to suffer frame flex more than Cs, have more water leaks, wind noise, and so on. Also, '54s were considerably improved over the 53s.
I have a pretty authentic '53 K. Next time you're at your folks place, come on out and take a look (only about 25 miles from your mom and dad).

[afgarcia86]

Andres,
NADA Collector Car Price guide shows the following values for 53 C and K cars (not necessarily believeable, but shows the differences).
'53 Champion Starlight, high retail $11,800
'53 Champion Starliner, high retail $11,250
'53 Commander Starlight, high retail $12,800
'53 Commander Starliner, high retail $16,500
Having said all that, a coupe is much easier to work on. Ks rattle more, have complicated rear side window mechanisms, tend to suffer frame flex more than Cs, have more water leaks, wind noise, and so on. Also, '54s were considerably improved over the 53s.
I have a pretty authentic '53 K. Next time you're at your folks place, come on out and take a look (only about 25 miles from your mom and dad).

This is helpful Paul, I will definitely take you up on that however it will most likely need to wait until after we wrap up the GT Hawk. I have been heading down every other weekend but we are a bit behind schedule due to this never ending winter. We should be getting the Engine back from the machine shop today, and are hoping to have a complete rolling chasis by the end of the first weekend in March.

[Warren Webb]

Andres, one of the most overlooked things by machine shops is the pipe plug found just below the distributor opening. It would be a good idea to prime the oil pump before you put the engine in, that way you'll see right away if that plug is missing. I enjoy seeing your progress as we all look forward to its completion.

[afgarcia86]

Thanks for the tip Warren, I will let my father know asap.

[paintim613]

To learn most all that you will want to know about 1953-1954 C/K cars, buy the book: "Studebaker's Finest". I believe that SI has the best price on the book and you will also be helping a Studebaker vendor.

Gary's advice is right on. That book will tell you all you will need to know about the most beautiful American car ever made.