Larry Northington Studebaker Story

Larry Northington • August 23, 2025

My adventures with my 1954 Studebaker Commander

“I wish I still had my first car” has been said many times. I am fortunate to say that I have and drive my first car. A 1954 Studebaker Commander sedan. The car wasn’t the most glamorous for a high school student in the early 70’s. The car was 17 years old at the time, and I was 16. But there were many trips to the beach, drive-in movies, and great memories. My wife Dee and I were high school sweethearts at the time, so those great memories are hers also. After high school, I sold the Commander to my uncle, and then bought it back from him nine years later.

The car was driven occasionally, but then went into long term storage. It was sitting in the garage for decades, just waiting for some TLC. Finally, I started the slow process of restoration in April of 2020. I rebuilt the brake cylinders, new brake lines, rebuilt the carburetor, cleaned out the gas tank, had a new core put in the radiator, a NOS thermostat housing, new radiator hoses, and replaced the ignition wires and spark plugs. John L Lewis helped/witnessed restarting the engine after 25 years of sitting.




ready for paint

Breathtaking colors of our planet
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Faces of Humanity

Portraits of people from around the globe
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Sands of Time

Stark beauty of desolate dunes
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Beyond Boundaries

Visual odyssey across continents
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I patched 9 rust spots, using a MIG welder for the first time, and set up a temporary paint booth in my garage. Painting was definitely a learning process, starting with too dry, too wet with runs, and the paint gun sputtering because??? I started to get decent at it by the time the car was painted. I had the chrome pieces re-chromed at a local specialty place. After painting, my wife sewed a new headliner using the old one as a pattern, which we installed together. I re-installed the glass and chrome, installed new rubber for the hood, doors and trunk, new carpet, and had the seats reupholstered. The entire process took around a year and a half.


The pictures show the Commander before restoration really began, and during the process. This was an “engine in” restoration process. I won’t mention the cost, but it was slightly less than I had budgeted, but more than the car is worth. I definitely didn’t do it for the investment.



Now I love driving it to club events and just around my neighborhood. It is a pleasure to drive, and I smile every time I see it.

A blue Studebaker truck is parked in front of a building.

A Golden Milestone: Reflections from the Tourmaster on Our 50th Anniversary Celebration

By Randy Goble • June 14, 2025
As we gear up for the 50th Anniversary of the Southern Arizona Chapter of the Studebaker Drivers Club, I’ve found myself reflecting on just how far we’ve come—and just how meaningful this celebration truly is. Planning for a milestone like this doesn’t happen overnight. Behind the scenes, a dedicated group of members has been working hard to make sure this anniversary is one to remember. We made a big decision early on: to move our usual March Gathering from Phoenix to Tucson so it could align with this historic occasion. It felt right to bring the celebration home. We chose the Tucson Auto Museum as our venue—not just because it’s newly renovated and beautiful, but because it represents a connection to the past, present, and future of car culture in Southern Arizona. I believe we’ll be among the very first car shows at this new location. That alone makes it special. The museum offers the perfect blend of indoor and outdoor space. Our beloved Studebakers will be displayed prominently in the parking area, while the indoor meeting room will host a variety of activities—from the catered lunch (thank you, El Molinito!) to drawings, raffles, and, of course, plenty of good conversation and laughter. One of the things I’m most excited about is the display of memorabilia. Our team has carefully curated pieces from across the chapter’s 50-year history, giving us all a chance to step back in time and revisit some of the stories, people, and vehicles that brought us to where we are today. It’s been a labor of love—and truly, the joy comes from seeing everyone come together. Whether you’re a longtime member who remembers the early days or someone new to the club just falling in love with Studebakers, this celebration is for you.  So here’s my heartfelt ask: Come out and support this event. Dust off your Studebaker, polish the chrome, and join us for a day filled with heritage, horsepower, and heart. Let’s make memories that future Tourmasters will look back on 50 years from now and smile.