ASHLEY CRONIN'S
1964 COMMANDER 2-DOOR
Ashley was first introduced to the Studebaker scene by his farther Pat, as
a child. At the age of thirteen he began restoration of a 1964 2-door Commander,
an ex-Victorian police car. This restoration was completed in 1984.
Ash was seventeen. The Stude was used regularly from then on and after his marriage
in 1995. He drove the car daily to work for some time before Ashley decided the front end
was a bit dodgy and let the registration expire, with the idea of another restoration.
A gradual rebuild began in 2002 with the deadline of completion by Easter 2005 for the
16th Studebaker National Meet in Adelaide, South Australia.
Ninety Five percent of the work was done by Ash. The body work was completed
by Ash with the Blueprint blue paint applied be Gary O'Toole.
The engine is a Chevy 327, transmission is a 350T, Ford 9" diff plants
the power to the road through 15"X6" and 15X7" Hustler wheels by
Billet Specialties and Yokohama rubber. The engine bay is super clean with hidden wiring
and relocated battery and brake booster.
The interior was Upholstered by Bendigo Trim.
The original bench seat was replaced by bucket seats, and the CD player was hidden
in the glove box.
The Commander was completed in time for Easter,
to attend the 16th National Meet in Adelaide, where Ash proudly
accepted 3rd place in Modified class. In October 2005 at the
Studebaker Car Club of Australia Concours at Moorabbin Ash was again proud
to receive 2nd place overall and 1st in Modified class.
Although not one for chasing trophies, Ash say's it is rewarding to be congratulated
on the car that you have built for yourself, because you like it, and to have so
many other people appreciate it as well.