1950 Studebaker Commander Convertible

Paul & Becky Stevenson
Nipomo, CA

Paul started this project with a pallet of 1950 convertible parts pulled out of a creek. They included the top half of the cowl with the windshield posts intact, rear quarter panels including broken top bows and all windows. Paul's friend who owns Rudy’s Wrecking & Towing, donated a 48 Studebaker 2-door sedan that was headed to the crusher. Another friend of Paul's in Lompoc, CA sold him the 50 Commander front clip and he bought the rear fenders from Turners Auto Wrecking in Fresno, CA.

When he had enough parts to start his project, he bought a wrecked 1998 Chevrolet S-10 pickup and threw the body and bed away. He installed a 305 ci Chevrolet engine and rebuilt 700R4 transmission.

The next year was spent working on putting the body and frame together. Up front the fresh air doors on the front fenders were filled and the front and rear fenders were welded to the body to give it a smooth look. The headlights were frenched using Mercury rims and a custom made insert. A Mazda Miata donated the door handles and out back are 56 Chevrolet taillights housed in 58 Chevrolet bezels. The trunk lid was shortened and a rolled rear pan was molded to the body in place of a bumper.

Inside a 1950 Pontiac dash and custom made console were added. The front bucket seats from the wrecked S-10 pickup were covered with a two toned wheat colored material. The top bows were repaired and the functional electric top is also covered with a matching wheat colored fabric.

The fire engine red paint is offset with some unique pinstriping, including the red, white & blue Studebaker logo painted on the front fenders.

Under the hood it says ...

Studebaker
** Different By Design ... Ahead Of It's Time **