1951 was the first year for Studebaker to offer an overhead valve V-8 in its Commander series. This particular body style was known as a "Starlight Coupe". Studebaker did not yet have a two door pillarless hardtop in its line......that would come in 1952......but the Starlight Coupes were very popular with that panoramic rear window that completely wrapped around the car from door post to door post. They first appeared in 1947 when Studebaker introduced its new postwar design: "First by Far with a Postwar Car!!!!" This design has also been given Milestone status. The last Starlight Coupe would be in 1952, along side Studebaker's new pillarless hardtop called the "Starliner". The following year Studebaker would astound and amaze with its new Raymond Loewey designed line of cars that many consider the finest design to come out of the 1950's and which eventually evolved into the Studebaker Hawks. Ken, thank you for the excellent photographs of this 1951 Studebaker Starlight Coupe.
