STuTZ693 Posted January 24, 2023 Share Posted January 24, 2023 Hello, There is a 1947 Commander Sedan with 46k miles for sale near me which the seller claims has an automatic transmission. It belonged to his father for 20 + year before the father passed away. I am not a Studebaker owner, yet, so know very little about them. From the research I did, Studebaker did not offer an autotranny until 1950. I am wondering if the seller has mistaken the year or he is correct. I have attached a few photos. I have not seen that car yet. Thank you all in advance, Dan 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The 55er Posted January 24, 2023 Share Posted January 24, 2023 Your research is correct, 1950 was the first year automatic transmissions were offered in Studebakers. Pictures clearly show a 1947 Commander with a 3-speed stick & a clutch pedal on the floor. The incorrect type of transmission in the listing was probably just an error or an oversight by the seller, minor errors like this are not uncommon by people listing vehicles for sale. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STuTZ693 Posted January 24, 2023 Author Share Posted January 24, 2023 (edited) Thank you. I see the three pedals now. It is a very handsome automobile. How available are routine service parts for the brakes, cooling, fuel, and ignition systems? What should I be aware of if I decide to look at it? Dan Edited January 25, 2023 by STuTZ693 (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r1lark Posted January 24, 2023 Share Posted January 24, 2023 Studebaker did introduce an 'automatic' transmission in the 1942 model year, but only a handful were installed and those that were installed were 'recalled' and replaced with 3-speed/overdrive transmissions. I believe Studebaker called this transmission Turbo-matic Drive. None are known to survive. Back in the 1980s Clell Ballard wrote a great article in Turning Wheels about the Turbo-matic Drive. Perhaps the owner of this '47 Commander heard his father talk about it having "automatic overdrive"?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SC38dls Posted January 24, 2023 Share Posted January 24, 2023 Most parts for my 38 Studebaker are available. Some take a little more searching for than others. It looks like the same engine in the picture that I have in the 38 but I am far from being an expert like some of the people on the site. Sheet metal is hard to come by as I found out after a minor wreck. I was able to get all my engine, trans, differential, brake and electrical wiring to rebuild it all. It cost $$ but was easy to find. My hardest parts were the rubber for around the rear wing windows, almost impossible but I think I may have found the last set available. They are well made cars that just want to keep running. Go for it you will enjoy it on the road. dave s Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fh4ever Posted January 25, 2023 Share Posted January 25, 2023 SC38dls.....ever get your '38 back on the road after the collision? speaking of '39 rear vent window rubber....I am still searching. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STuTZ693 Posted January 25, 2023 Author Share Posted January 25, 2023 Thanks to all for the good information. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KURTRUK Posted January 25, 2023 Share Posted January 25, 2023 On 1/23/2023 at 6:59 PM, STuTZ693 said: Thank you. I see the three pedals now. It is a very handsome automobile. How available are routine service parts for the brakes, cooling, fuel, and ignition systems? What should I be aware of if I decide to look at it? Dan You could have all those parts delivered to your house in 2 days after ordering from any of several major Studebaker vendors. Probably easier than for your Fiat. 🙂 I believe I see the knob on the dash for the Borg Warner overdrive. An excellent feature. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STuTZ693 Posted January 25, 2023 Author Share Posted January 25, 2023 Hi Kurtruk, Thanks for the parts info. Actually the Fiat parts are super easy for me to get because there is vintage Fiat only parts and service vendor here in town with every parts and a talented mechanic to provide free technical info. I can stop in and pick up parts and advise as needed. Fortunately, the Fiat has 22K original miles and only needed only fluid, brake, and rubber parts replaced to get it back on the road after 10 years in storage. Thanks for the good catch on the overdrive knob. How well would this car keep up with traffic with the overdrive? Dan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SC38dls Posted January 25, 2023 Share Posted January 25, 2023 10 hours ago, fh4ever said: SC38dls.....ever get your '38 back on the road after the collision? speaking of '39 rear vent window rubber....I am still searching. I do have it back on the road. Fixed it myself with the help of 50 - 60 advisors from the forums help. Not sure if that qualifies as fixing it myself LOL. Before, during & after pics Sorry for temporary hijack. dave s Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
studeboy Posted January 25, 2023 Share Posted January 25, 2023 I have a 1940 commander with overdrive. The car will cruise on the highway at 65 all day long. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STuTZ693 Posted January 25, 2023 Author Share Posted January 25, 2023 Stuteboy: That is pretty good. Thanks Dave: You did a great job on the repairs. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KURTRUK Posted January 25, 2023 Share Posted January 25, 2023 2 hours ago, STuTZ693 said: Hi Kurtruk, Thanks for the parts info. Actually the Fiat parts are super easy for me to get because there is vintage Fiat only parts and service vendor here in town with every parts and a talented mechanic to provide free technical info. I can stop in and pick up parts and advise as needed. Fortunately, the Fiat has 22K original miles and only needed only fluid, brake, and rubber parts replaced to get it back on the road after 10 years in storage. Thanks for the good catch on the overdrive knob. How well would this car keep up with traffic with the overdrive? Dan I had an X1/9 in the late Eighties when the dealers were going away. Bayless was about the only resource, before the internet. Yes, 65 all day long with the Overdrive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STuTZ693 Posted January 25, 2023 Author Share Posted January 25, 2023 Hi Kurtruk, I think I just hijacked my own post!! Bayless is my go to place. Here is a link to a really nice X1/9 is you feel like a little Italian! https://columbus.craigslist.org/cto/d/new-albany-1979-fiat-x19-76k-miles/7579882296.html Back to the Studebaker: What are your thoughts on how well the brakes work. Dam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SC38dls Posted January 25, 2023 Share Posted January 25, 2023 My brakes work well when I remember to use them. Using the back end of a Mercedes Benz is not recommended like I did! Seriously they are fine you just have to leave more room between cars. Any older car is the same way. I had a 49 Ford truck and I put disk on it. It still needed more room than a modern car but was better than drums. Honestly not enough better that I even thought of it for the 38. My accident was due to the lady slamming on her brakes because she thought the light turned red. dave s Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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