1952 Studebaker Commander State Starliner hardtop coupe, part of the Studebaker Commander line of collectible cars.
1952 Studebaker Commander State Starliner hardtop coupe

The 1952 Studebaker Commander State Starliner was a new addition to Studebaker's upper series in the last year of the 1947 body design. The bullet nose was eliminated in favor of a "shovel" snout -- sometimes dubbed a "clam digger" -- which some designers found less appealing. (The bullet nose has received a lot of flak over the years, but somehow looks less bizarre now than it did then -- could it be because of the many blunt fronts we've seen since?)

The 1952 Studebaker Commander State Starliner is significant in that it was Studebaker's first hardtop convertible, with a top-quality interior and pillarless roof. A companion Regal Starliner was offered in the six-cylinder Champion line as well, which had been moved up to the Commander's 115-inch wheelbase the previous year.

South Bend was the last major auto manufacturer to introduce a hardtop, but in the following year would carry this body type to its ultimate.

Pluses of the 1952 Studebaker Commander State Starliner:

  • Historical interest
  • Good performance from a small-block V-8

Minuses of the 1952 Studebaker Commander State Starliner:

  • Underwhelming looks
  • Rust susceptibility
  • Poor-quality chrome (an industry-wide problem during the Korean conflict)

Production of the 1952 Studebaker Commander State Starliner:
14,548

Specifications of the 1952 Studebaker Commander State Starliner:
Wheelbase, inches: 115.0
Length, inches: 197.5
Weight, pounds: 3,220
Price, new: $2,488

Engines for the 1952 Studebaker Commander State Starliner:

TypeSize
Horsepower
Years
ohv V-8232.6 cid
120
1952

Want more information about classic cars? See: