53 Studebaker model names

[rgallatin]

Can anyone clarify the model names used for the 1953 Studebaker Coupes? I find both Starliner and Starlight combined with Commander and Champion. Could "Champion Starliner Coupe" (hardtop?) and "Commander Starlight Coupe" (2-door sedan?) be correct? And what's the difference between the two?

[1954khardtop]

In 53 Commander designated the V8 engine, Champion the 6. You could get any body style as either a Commander or Champion. Prior to 51 Commander was the big 6, Champion the smaller 6.

[rgallatin]

Thanks, that helps. But what about the difference between Starliner and Starlight?

[53k]

Thanks, that helps. But what about the difference between Starliner and Starlight?

Starliners are a hardtop two-door (no pillar between the door and rear side windows. Starlights are the same basic body, but have a pillar between the door and the rear window area. Starliner doors are like convertible doors- no upper frame. Starlight doors are conventional. Both Starliner and Starlight bodies are much different from the conventional two and four-door sedans.

[BobPalma]

Think of it this way: You can have ONE item from each of TWO pairings:

Pairing One: Champion Six or Commander V8

Pairing Two: Starlight Coupe (fixed "B" pillar; rear windows flip out; do not roll down) OR Starliner hardtop (no fixed "B" pillar; all side windows roll down).

That gives you four possible combinations.

As to trim levels ("fanciness" of trim and upholstery), there are two possibilities: Regal or DeLuxe.

Regal trim is the higher-quality and is available on either Starlight Coupes or Starliner hardtops.

DeLuxe trim is cheaper and available only on Starlight Coupes; there are no DeLuxe Starliners.

As you can see, the last choice (trim level) has nothing to do with Champion Six or Commander V8. BP

[rgallatin]

Thanks for a thorough explanation. I never would have figured that out.

[stude dude]

Think of it this way: You can have ONE item from each of TWO pairings:

Pairing One: Champion Six or Commander V8

Pairing Two: Starlight Coupe (fixed "B" pillar; rear windows flip out; do not roll down) OR Starliner hardtop (no fixed "B" pillar; all side windows roll down).

That gives you four possible combinations.

As to trim levels ("fanciness" of trim and upholstery), there are two possibilities: Regal or DeLuxe.

Regal trim is the higher-quality and is available on either Starlight Coupes or Starliner hardtops.

DeLuxe trim is cheaper and available only on Starlight Coupes; there are no DeLuxe Starliners.

As you can see, the last choice (trim level) has nothing to do with Champion Six or Commander V8. BP

Nicely done Bob! Few could have explained this any better, including Studebaker's own product planning people!

Chris.

[BobPalma]

Now that everyone is one the same page, here are the production figures for each of the six 1953 combinations:

Champion DeLuxe Starlight coupe: 9,422
Champion Regal Starlight coupe: 16,066
Champion Regal Starliner hardtop: 13,058

Commander DeLuxe Starlight coupe: 6,106
Commander Regal Starlight coupe: 14,752
Commander Regal Starliner hardtop: 19,236

Interestingly, proving that people do occasionally have good taste and appreciate a beautiful car, the 1953 Commander Regal Starliner was both the most expensive 1953 Studebaker model and the most popular; no other model garnered even 18,000 sales, much less 19,000+. BP

[RadioRoy]

Bob, could you list the same production figures for 54, please?

[BobPalma]

Bob, could you list the same production figures for 54, please?

Sure, Roy.

1954 figures:

Champion DeLuxe Starlight: 7,042
Champion Regal Starlight: 5,125
Champion Regal Starliner: 4,302

Commander DeLuxe Starlight: 2,868
Commander Regal Starlight: 3,151
Commander Regal Starliner: 5,040

Yes, as you see: 1954 was a lousy year! BP

[8E45E]

Interestingly, proving that people do occasionally have good taste and appreciate a beautiful car, the 1953 Commander Regal Starliner was both the most expensive 1953 Studebaker model and the most popular; no other model garnered even 18,000 sales, much less 19,000+. BP

Such a shame '54 sales took such a huge drop.

The 'most expensive' usually translates into the HIGHEST profit margin for a car manufacturer!!

Craig

[TWChamp]

I wonder why there was such a dip in sales for such a beautiful car? Were there any strikes or production problems?

[BobPalma]

I wonder why there was such a dip in sales for such a beautiful car? Were there any strikes or production problems?

'Nope; neither.

The overall market was down from 1953, the GM vs. Ford Production / Market Share wars were killing the independents, and Studebaker's necessarily higher prices for their cars to cover their overhead was sinking in and taking its toll.

Example, MSRPs:

1954 Ford Crestline Victoria V8 2 door hardtop: $2,131

1954 Studebaker Commander Regal Starliner: $2,502

That $371 premium to own the Studebaker is enormous....and keep in mind, Ford also had a modern OHV V8 in 1954, just like Studebaker. If monthly payments were $75 at the time; you'd have to make five additional payments over the life of the loan to buy the Studebaker.

Not a lot of people were willing to do that. BP

[TWChamp]

I was wondering if the new Ford OHV engine might have had some impact on Studebaker sales. Chevy had nothing new to offer that year that should have hurt.

BTW in 1954 my dad trading his 1950 Champion in on a new 1954 Ford Country Squire. He kept the Ford for 6 years, but from day one he hated it so much that 5 days after buying it he went back to the dealer to buy back his 1950 Studebaker.

[clonelark]

1954 Ford's finest

1954 Studebaker's finest


Me i'd pay the difference.