Performance Review: Studebaker Commander 3.8 V8 Coupe - [1953]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Studebaker Commander Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Studebaker Commander 3.8 V8 Coupe is the 3 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 1953. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1954 Jaguar D Type 3.4L and the 1953 Alfa-Romeo Disco Volante 1900 Touring Coupe.This particular Studebaker Commander has a 3809cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The Commander shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Commander's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1692 kgs (3730 lbs) this makes the Studebaker Commander 3.8 V8 Coupe in the same weight category as the 2023 Aston-Martin Valour 5.2 V12 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Studebaker Commander shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp)

In terms of power the 3809cc 16V V8 engine produces 120 bhp (89 kW) @ 4000 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp) or the 2017 Ford Fiesta 1.5 TDCi ST-Line 120 (118 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 190 lb-ft (257.6 Nm) @ 2000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (184 lb-ft) or the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (184 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Studebaker Commander you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1977 Ford Cortina MKV 2.3 Ghia (95.7 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Studebaker Commander.

The Studebaker Commander has a Power to weight ratio of 70.9 bhp per ton and 112.2 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1953 Commander competing with the 1977 Ford Cortina MKV 2.3 Ghia (95.7 bhp per ton) or the 1950 Jaguar Mark VII 3.4L (95.4 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Studebaker Commander generating around 112.2 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1986 Lamborghini LM002 5.2 V12 (137.0 lb-ft per ton) or the 2012 Volkswagen-VW Beetle 2.0 TSi Cabriolet (137.0 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 16.90 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 17.5 secs, this made the Studebaker Commander 3.8 V8 Coupe as fast as the 1952 Porsche 356 1.5l 2+2 (17.00 secs) the 1980 Skoda 120 L 1200 (17.50 secs) the 1974 Skoda S110 R/T 426 7.0 V8 Hemi (17.70 secs) the or the 1958 Austin-Healey Sprite MK1 AN5 (18.40 secs). This Studebaker Commander 3.8 V8 Coupe is also faster than the 1952 Porsche 356 1.5l 2+2 (17.00 secs) the 1980 Skoda 120 L 1200 (17.50 secs) the 1974 Skoda S110 R/T 426 7.0 V8 Hemi (17.70 secs) the and the 1958 Austin-Healey Sprite MK1 AN5 (18.40 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Commander and the 1990 Toyota MR2 GT Mk2 Rev 1

When talking about the performance of the Studebaker Commander on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 19.94 secs @ 68.6 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1990 Toyota MR2 GT Mk2 Rev 1 (19.85 secs), the 2016 Maserati Quattroporte 3.0 V6 Turbo Diesel (19.85 secs), and the 2006 Volvo C70 2.5 T5 Coupe Convertible Sport (19.90 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1953 version of the Studebaker Commander 3.8 V8 Coupe has a maximum speed of 93mph.

Top Speed of the 1953 Commander equals the 1963 Ford Cortina MkI Lotus Type 28 (104 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1953 Studebaker Commander 3.8 V8 Coupe then how about the 1963 Ford Cortina MkI Lotus Type 28 (104 mph), the 1955 Jaguar Mark VII M 3.4L (104 mph), or the 1972 Chevrolet Impala Custom Hardtop 6.6L V8 (105 mph).

Related Links:

1953 Commander Rivals List.

A Brief History of Studebaker

Car Comparison