Today’s vintage image is not only extraordinary for having a Studebaker Commander Starliner taking part in a trick riding show, but also for it being a convertible; a version the factory never offered to the public. It’s quite a sight, if I may say so.
Studebaker’s ill-fated 1953 Starliner is a well-documented chapter in the company’s history and has already been covered by CC. To briefly recap, the Loewy-designed vehicles created much havoc during production as result of a hurried development, budget constraints, and more. Yet, amidst all that, Studebaker somehow found the time to play with a possible convertible version. One prototype was built, but the idea was quickly put to rest.
Originally painted in Tacoma Gray, the one-off convertible acquired a Sandusky Beige respray in 1954. Could it be that prototype in this pic? Car companies are known to be ruthless with their concept vehicles. Some are abandoned, others are cut up, and a few meet rather fantastic ends. According to lore, VW’s EA266 prototypes -the intended Beetle replacement- were blown up in military exercises. Such stories are usually anecdotal, and I have difficulty believing most.
That said, had you told me of a Commander Starliner Convertible one-off playing part of a trick jump with 4 horses, I would have rolled my eyes in disbelief. And yet, here we are.
It seems ‘convertible jumps’ were somewhat common with trick riders at one point. Here’s Rodeo Hall of Famer Dick Griffith doing his stuff with a Buick convertible, and it’s pretty impressive. Not that I know much about the subject, since rodeos and horseriding are none of my expertise. After all, this is not Curbside Equines.
Photo by Autotour.
Regardless of production issues, the Starliner is one neat car and private shops have offered what the factory couldn’t. Custom-built convertibles appear from time to time, and one such case has been covered at CC previously.
The original factory-built prototype withered in Studebaker’s proving grounds for a number of years. When the South Bend factory closed in 1964, it was sold to an employee for $100 (the kind of closeout deal we car lovers dream of). Restored since then, the model now makes appearances in the car show circuit, as seen above. No idea if any trick riders still solicit its services.
Further reading:
Rolling Classic: 1953 Studebaker Convertible – Stunning
Curbside Classic: 1953-1954 Studebaker Commander Starliner Coupe – Star Light, Star Bright
Wow ~ this should/could have been an important halo car for Studebaker .
It looks more svelte than the coupes did .
-Nate
It looks even more timeless, if there’s one aspect to the Loewy coupes that links the design to the early 50s it’s the roofline, not that it’s at all unattractive as is. In convertible form it looks a full decade newer than it actually is
WOW! As for the rodeo, I attended many a rodeo in my childhood because my grandparents bought a home (a two-story log cabin in the pines) in the heart of Dude Ranch Country in The Adirondack Mountains. This was in The Town of Luzerne, NY. So, my brother, my cousins and I would go to rodeos at the dude ranches. At Northwoods Dude Ranch one stunt was with a 1951 Studebaker four-door sedan driven by a lady who was blindfolded. She would make figures of eight in the sand of the corral. Her skill was based upon the music that was played. As she heard each portion of the music, she knew when to turn the wheel. It was fascinating every time. As for the Starline converitble, who wouldn’t want to own that sweetheart!
Excellent marketing all around. And a beautiful car, to capture people’s attention. From a nitpicky marketing POV, I perhaps would have placed the Studebaker on a small grass sod pad, just to possibly present it a little more elegantly.
I believe the lead photo was taken at the Arizona State Fairgrounds in Phoenix. I saw a rodeo there as a young’un but don’t remember cars being jumped.
That photo was taken in New Orleans. https://forum.studebakerdriversclub.com/forum/your-studebaker-forum/general-studebaker-specific-discussion/3053-the-crescent-city-comet
It was known as the “Crescent City Comet”
I agree with Fred – Arizona State Fairgrounds grandstand on the west side of the rodeo grounds (which is just west of the Veterans Memorial Coliseum). Been there many times.
Daniel – “a small grass sod pad” does not exist in a rodeo arena.
I know. Why this isn’t the ideal venue to promote a car.
It’s interesting that the Studebaker’s interior is completely open, while the Buick convertible has a tonneau cover protecting the interior from the inevitable clumps of dirt that the jumping horses will deposit. Maybe the Buick was Dick Griffith’s own car, and he knew from experience what to expect.
Trick riding absolutely amazes me. I’ve seen some trick riding in-person, and – having clumsily ridden horses a few times – I can’t fathom how that stuff is actually done. From what I understand the golden age of trick riding was in the 1930s-’50s, so I’m sure the acts in those days were really spectacular to watch.
Indianapolis Studebaker dealer Charlie Stuart had a different 53 convertible. It was used to pace the “Hoosier Hundred” which was (I believe) a midget car race that was held during the weekend of the big Indianapolis 500 race on Memorial Day. It is clearly a different car than the one shown here, so Stuart must have had his custom-built. There are several photos of the Stuart car in the Chuck Stuart collection donated to the Indiana State Library.
This would have been a perfect car for the horse jump, given its low overall height. I would love to know the story on how it made it out west for the rodeo.
The 1953 Studebaker Starliner (no C Pillar) was designed by Bob Bourke part of William Loewy’s design team. Loewy received credit as it is called the Loewy coupe. The 53’s with the C pillar are called Starlight coupes.