1957 Studebaker Commander Provincial Wagon
The four-door Provincial station wagon was a new body style for the Commander line in 1957, joining the two-door Parkview wagon that had been offered previously.
With 3,996 Provincials produced that year, the Commander wagon occupies a relatively obscure corner of the 1950s American station wagon market, sitting between Studebaker’s entry-level Champion and the flagship President in the company’s lineup.
The 1957 Commander received a new wraparound grille and larger taillights, giving it a freshened look within the existing bodyshell. Two-tone exterior combinations were common, with the wagon’s 116.5-inch wheelbase providing useful proportions for family hauling duties. Curb weight was approximately 3,200 pounds.
Under the hood, the Commander carried Studebaker’s 259-cubic-inch overhead-valve V-8, fed by a two-barrel carburetor and rated at 180 horsepower at 4,500 rpm. Transmission choices included a three-speed manual (with optional overdrive) or an automatic, with power steering available as an option.
By 1957, Studebaker was facing serious pressure from the Big Three, and overall production company-wide fell to roughly 64,000 units for the model year. The Commander wagon today represents an unusual alternative to the more common Chevrolet and Ford wagons of the period, with the V-8 powertrain and lower production numbers adding to its collector appeal.
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