Editing Studebaker Commander (section)

===1920s===
[[File:1928 Studebaker Commander GB Big Six (27790970074).jpg|thumb|left|1928 Studebaker Commander GB Big Six Sedan]]

Until the appearance of the [[straight-eight engine|inline eight]] [[Studebaker President|President]] in January 1928, all Studebaker cars of the 1920s were [[straight-six engine|inline sixes]]. There were three basic models — the [[Studebaker Light Six|Light Six]], the [[Studebaker Special Six|Special Six]] and the [[Studebaker Big Six|Big Six]], developing {{convert|40|bhp|kW PS|abbr=on}}, {{convert|50|bhp|kW PS|abbr=on}}, and {{convert|60|bhp|kW PS|abbr=on}} respectively at 2000&nbsp;rpm. The first Commander, in 1927, was a continuation of the mid-range Special Six, with a {{convert|226|CID|L|1|abbr=on}} engine. Their inbuilt durability and toughness gained them great renown under worldwide conditions. The 1928 GB Commander was a descendant of the Big Six, being powered with the proven {{convert|354|CID|L|1|abbr=on}} engine, modified to deliver {{convert|75|bhp|kW PS|abbr=on}} at 2400&nbsp;rpm. In October 1928, three Commander sixes lined up at the [[Atlantic City Speedway]] to challenge the {{convert|15000|mi|km|abbr=on}} speed record ({{convert|64.25|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}) held by the much higher-priced [[Auburn Automobile|Auburn]] straight-eight Speedster.<blockquote>''They not only accomplished that but then went on to establish new records up to {{convert|25000|mi|km}}. The two sports roadsters averaged better than {{convert|65|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} and the sedan, which had flipped on the icy boards during one of the night runs and had been hurriedly repaired, averaged almost 62&nbsp;mph.''<ref name=bettsc/>{{rp|p259}}</blockquote> After this, the three cars were closely scrutinised, part by part, and it was established that they were strictly stock automobiles, identical in every respect to those available at any Studebaker showroom.<ref name= bettsc/>{{rp|p259}}

In Australia, a crew of three drivers led by [[Norman Leslie Smith|Norman "Wizard" Smith]] tackled overland records using a Commander roadster. On a 3,000-mile run from [[Fremantle]] to [[Sydney]], they smashed the previous record by 12 hours 23 minutes despite traversing 450 miles through blinding rain, and having to ford a river when a bridge had been washed away. The team rested for a little over three hours before attempting another record on the 600-mile track to [[Brisbane]].<ref>[https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/16455023 Motor Record: Fremantle to Sydney. Studebaker Performance]. ''[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]'', p. 16, 5 April 1928, at [[National Library of Australia#Trove|Trove]]</ref>

These sixes were the last descendants of rugged cars designed for poor roads in the early 20th century—loaded with torque and strong in construction. They were less well suited to the higher cruising speeds made possible by better roads in later years.<ref>{{cite journal|quote=...with roads improving, there was less need to overdesign for extreme conditions. |first=Maurice D. |last=Hendry |title=Studebaker: One can do a lot of remembering at South Bend |journal=Automobile Quarterly |volume=10 |issue=3 |year=1972 |pages=229–257 }}</ref>{{rp|p239}}

In 1929, Studebaker added an 8-cylinder Commander to the range.<ref>Chilton Automotive Multi-Guide, Spring 1931, p. 193. In facsimile edition, 2nd printing by Thomas Nelson 1975</ref>