Cars

Among the American station wagons of the early 1960s, the Studebaker Commander Wagonaire holds a special place. Designed under the direction of Brooks Stevens, the Wagonaire stood out thanks to a particularly innovative feature: a section of the rear roof could slide forward to allow for the vertical transport of bulky items.

This example is even more unusual because it is the rare “Solid Roof” variant, equipped with a fixed roof. Studebaker offered this configuration as an alternative to the famous sliding roof, particularly after the water leakage problems encountered on the first cars.

With chassis number 64V11506 and body number 923, this car is a 1964 Commander Wagonaire V8, built at the Studebaker plant in South Bend, Indiana, in 1963. Based on its serial number, it was likely manufactured in the fall of 1963—just a few weeks before automobile production in South Bend came to a permanent halt in December of that same year.

Under the hood lies the robust Studebaker 259 ci V8—4,247 cm³—powered by a dual-barrel carburetor. It produced approximately 180 ch SAE and a generous torque of about 353 Nm. The transmission is one of the most interesting features of this car: unlike many American station wagons equipped with an automatic transmission, it features a three-speed manual transmission controlled from the steering wheel, supplemented by an overdrive that significantly reduces engine speed on the highway.

The design remains typically American: a longitudinally mounted front engine, rear-wheel drive, independent front suspension, a rigid rear axle with leaf springs, and drum brakes. At approximately 4.90 m long, 1.82 m wide, and with a wheelbase of 2.87 m, the Wagonaire remains relatively compact by American standards of its time. Its curb weight is approximately 1,650 kg.

The interior is designed to seat six people, spread across two wide bench seats. The fold-down rear bench seat transforms the Wagonaire into a true cargo vehicle, staying true to the highly versatile philosophy envisioned by Studebaker. Air conditioning was added to this particular vehicle at a later date.

But this car’s main appeal undoubtedly lies in its exceptional condition. It is described as largely unrestored, retaining a very large portion of its original structure and its Golden Sand Metallic paint color, which is also listed in the Wagonaire Registry.

Its history is particularly well-documented. In particular, the car still has its 1963 sales contract, its original owner’s manual—which still contains handwritten notes from its first owner in Iowa—as well as a substantial file of invoices and documents tracing its history.

According to the vehicle history report, it is said to have had only six owners. Notably, its third owner was reportedly a curator at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, while one of its German owners was a renowned automotive journalist. This succession of owners, who were clearly aware of the car’s historical significance, likely explains in part why it is in such remarkable condition today.

With its 259 ci V8 engine, rare manual transmission with overdrive, fixed roof, Golden Sand Metallic paint, and exceptionally comprehensive history, this Studebaker Commander Wagonaire is a truly authentic testament to the final years of Studebaker production in South Bend.

An American car that is at once unique, practical, and mechanically simple, whose individual history is now almost as interesting as that of the model itself.