Kasia Jones’ 1954 Studebaker Commander
Do you believe in love at first site? For this car gal, love was in the air when she first saw this Studebaker two years ago.
The lines were far ahead of the times in the mid 1950’s. Just take a look at the cars the big three were making. Much bulkier and still rather square (as in Squaresville). I know. I own one.
It would take the incredibly talent of Bob Bourke. He streamlined the nose and sectioned the sides about 4 inches from the Ford of the same era. Curved rear window and canted C pillar all float above a perfectly curved waistline. Bob was lead designer of the Studebaker division for Raymond Loewy Associates.The same firm that designed the Nabisco and Shell logos, blue streetside U.S. Mailbox, and even the interior of skylab. Read more about America’s First Superstar Designer later in this issue,
None-the-less, Kasia or Kat to her friends, decided to take this orphan of a car and make it the Belle of the Ball.
Inspired by the likes of Gene Winfield, Dave Kindig and Chip Foose, Kat credits her Fiancé Jim who taught her how to do all the work she did on this car.
Shaved the door handles, nosed and decked the lids, removed all the trim and massaged the sheet metal to a super smooth surface. She got into building cars only 5 years ago with her 1950 Fleeline that is bagged and LS powered. See it in the garage on the next page.
The body is coated with two-stage Cappuccino Metallic Pearl from Summit Racing, with kandy lace on metalflake for the roof. The engine, grill wheel inserts, and interior were coated in a complimentary gold.
Those wheels. I mean, come-on already. Do they not look perfect for this car? Damn. Rime Vision Wheels with Coker redwalls make this a total hot rod racer yet ready for date night as well! Sitting on a Mustang II suspension in front with 2″ drop spindles and cut coils, and lowering bloick in the rear.
Kat hopes the car inspires others to fulfill their dreams and shine-on! She plans to “drive the snot” out of the car and since we have started this issue she has won several awards at big area shows in Upstate New York.
Can’t wait to see what else she has going on in her garage. She says: “My next build will be pretty amazing.”
