1964 Studebaker Commander R4

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Lots of history in this former race car from Australia. It was auctioned in March 2007

Lot No. 17

The ex-Bert Needham, Bathurst Class-Winning 1964 Studebaker Commander R4

Chassis No: C505830

Engine No: R 3847

Reg: KM-1950 (WA) Concessional

Studebaker had an excellent reputation in Australia for making solid, but

powerful compact cars. In the early 1960s their Lark and Cruiser models

became popular among racers, being relatively small cars fitted with

powerful V8 engines. For this reason several Police forces in Australia also

ran these models. The most famous and successful of the Studebaker racing

drivers was Bert Needham, who also ran a Studebaker dealership in New

South Wales. He competed in a series of cars and races including most

famously, Bathurst. It is in this car that Needham had his greatest successes,

including a class win at Bathurst, when it came 4th outright. The car raced

twice at Bathurst, as well as at several other eastern states circuits and was

said to have been capable of "almost 150mph on Conrod Straight".

The car was delivered to Needham specifically for racing with the 2-door

body not normally available. It features a Granatelli R4 engine, disc brakes,

race suspension (uprated springs, shock absorbers, sway-bars), a bigger fuel

tank, Twin-Traction limited slip differential, tachometer, etc - all correct,

optional Studebaker parts, fitted for competition in period.

The 4.2 litre V8 engine produces 210kW (280bhp), which helps explain

the car's success on the track. Legendary US racing engine builder Andy

Granatelli built the R4 engines for Studebaker. In 1968 Needham purchased

a new R4 engine from Granatelli and changed the car to floor-shift from the

column gear-change it had originally had. It was driven at the Castlereagh

drag strip in NSW, where the car achieved a 13.93 second run.

The car will be sold with a file of details including its competition history.

These documents back up the low 32,700 miles shown on the odometer.

When not being raced, the Commander sat in pride of place displayed

in Needham's showroom. The car has been comprehensively restored in

all areas and is beautifully presented today in its correct Sealight Green.

The engine was rebuilt and has covered approximately 2000 miles. It has

been a part of a private collection of Studebakers in Western Australia

for many years and has won multiple Concours awards as a testament to

its exceptional condition. It is believed that as few as only two or three

Commander R4 cars were ever built.

This important car has appeared in several publications. It is without doubt

the most famous racing Studebaker in Australia, and offers a very rare

opportunity to own a car with an excellent pedigree from an evocative era of

Australian racing.

On view in Perth

Estimate $50,000-$60,000

Auction:

Collectors' Motor Cars

Held:

Sunday 25 March 2007

Level 1, 540 Malvern Road, Prahran, Melbourne, VIC

Preview:

Thursday 22 March 2007 10am - 5pm

Friday 23 March 2007 10am - 5pm

Saturday 24 March 2007 10am - 5pm

Sunday 25 March 2007 9am

Level 1, 540 Malvern Road, Prahran, Melbourne, VIC

Level 1, 540 Malvern Road, Prahran, Melbourne, VIC

Level 1, 540 Malvern Road, Prahran, Melbourne, VIC

Level 1, 540 Malvern Road, Prahran, Melbourne, VIC