- Seller: Tomo B (Contact)
- Location: Los Angeles, California
- Mileage: 99,999 Shown
- Chassis #: 5Y85Z123132
- Title Status: Clean
- Engine: 350 cui Chevrolet V8
- Transmission: Automatic
Custom paint and a Chevrolet V8 set this 1953 Studebaker Champion Starliner apart from the crowd, and this Los Angeles, California classic seeks a new owner right here on Barn Finds Auctions. The seller describes upgrades, including a disc brake conversion and dual master cylinder, that should have this Starliner stopping on command. Shaved door handles and deleted mirrors keep things slick on this lowered ’50s cruiser. Robert Bourke from Raymond Loewy’s design studio penned this generation of the Studebaker Champion, with this two-door hardtop garnering greater accolades than it does now. Few contemporary cars, aside from Chevrolet’s then-new Corvette, challenged the styling of this Champion-based Starliner. Studebaker brochures at lov2xlr8 quoted Motor World magazine as stating, “Studebaker has… made every other American car look 10 years older.”
The mostly stock interior makes a blank slate for the new owner. The owner can choose from bench seats or “Porsche buckets,” according to the seller. While this customized classic runs and drives, the seller recommends reviewing its condition to assuage safety concerns before hitting the open road. Other pictures show diamond upholstery, suggesting a ’60s or early ’70s refurbishing. Yeah, baby!
The 17-inch Torq-Thrust-style wheels add some attitude without over-modernizing this ’50s coupe. The de-badged look with painted bumpers says “custom,” while the bright trim deftly dodges the short-lived ’80s monochrome look. I like it!
The nondescript “SBC,” (Small Block Chevrolet) V8 rates among the best values in hot-rodding, and a lively aftermarket guarantees power and parts availability. The paint has been color-sanded according to the seller. That process removes orange peel, resulting in a smooth finish. The seller notes that it still has noticeable flaws upon close inspection. This green metallic hue lends a cool ’60s hot-rod vibe to what looks like an older build, and someone’s done some clean-up in here, leaving everything tidy and easier to evaluate.
Will you put your personal touch on this sleek Starliner? If so, you can cast your bids below. And leave any questions you have for the seller down in the comment section.
Bid On This Auction
Thomas bid $3,250.00 2025-11-07 12:28:40
freeman bid $3,000.00 2025-11-06 21:21:20- Thomas bid $2,500.00 2025-11-06 13:45:26
- freeman bid $2,000.00 2025-11-05 02:26:14
Jay Sea bid $1,500.00 2025-11-02 16:12:21
A few years ago there was a drag racer called Frankenstude but I believe it was crashed and destroyed
Boy. this one really hits hard on the start of my love for cars. As a junior in college I found a ’53 in a salvage yard in great shape minus the engine and transmission for $35 including transporting to my dorm parking lot. Just happened to have a modified Olds engine and 4 speed automatic transmission in the dorm ready to put into a car I wrecked a few months prior. Needless to say that I loved the metallic medium blue paint and that big engine in that beautiful designed car. Still love them today.
Did you go to the GM Institute?
No, but I was in the engineering school until l got bored and switched to the business school.
Well Frank, interesting that you ask that. You didn’t ask me, but I did attend GMI for two years and bought my 53 Commander just out of high school in 1960 to make the trip back and forth between Dayton, Ohio and Flint, Mi.
I hope your dorm was on the first floor!
Nope. Borrowed the Coke service guy’s stair climbing cart while he was servicing the ground floor. Paid an old guy with a small winch truck $20 to help put in the engine and transmission.
Put the door handles and mirrors back on it t then I’ll bid.
I like it a lot, but having 8 cars and 3 motorcycles already, my wife would probably kill me while I slept.
My first car was a 53 Commander Starliner with a Chevy 283 in it, black over red. Wish I still had it. I especially likes the individual hooded instruments. We’re they a Commander VS Champion feature? Or has this dash been changed for a later one?
My Commander had the 4 pod dash. Always thought it was cool. That looks like an aftermarket unit to me.
stock Champion instrumentation.
Only the ’53 Commanders originally had the 4 pod dash. The ’54 Commanders had a single shroud around all 4 gauges.
Very nice unit!
I will admit that this thing virtually exudes coolness. I am completely clueless as to what the value might be in the real world, but if it were not for the fact that I already have my ‘forever’ car, as well as the unfortunate reality that buying another automobile to drive maybe 1000 miles per year would most certainly not be the most prudent thing to do, I would without hesitation throw some money at this thing and let the chips fall where they may. A Sunday drive up to Sedona in the fall would be epic.
I agree, it is really cool and I’d bet driving it around Sedona and up Oak Creek Canyon would be a total blast. I haven’t been back since I moved to Tucson six years ago and I really miss it.
This design was so far ahead of it’s time, most people wouldn’t believe it’s 72 years old.
That’s what I was just thinking. It’s hard to imagine I was three when this rolled off the line given the look of it.. it’s more European than American looking to me.
Studerific Hot Rod!
the dashes were different between the commander and champion. everyone has their preference, and i’ve liked the clean lines of the champion.
We’re the champions all originally 6 cylinder engines?
Champions originally came with a 6 cyl
Terrific pictures on this listing by someone who knows what they’re doing.
I want it!
Very cool! I want it. But currently still building the house and would not do the bid any justice. PLUS, the car would have to sit out in the Nevada sun full time which I hate to donto this great hot rod. GOOD LUCK tomo.
Where is the master cylinder? I can’t find it in the pictures.
Any idea how many miles on it?
What’s the ground clearance?
Dual master resides under the floorboard in the original position. It is a Turner specialized conversion. No idea on miles other than what odometer states. Ground clearance is pretty normal for driving. The 17″ wheels allow it to look low and still be comfortably driving and aggressive looking.
Thank you. Somehow I missed that you are the seller.
I went to high school with Bob Bourke’s son. He’s a friend, though we haven’t spoken in a long time.
He likes cars!
Bob Bourke was a genius. Unfortunately I got involved in Studebakers too late to meet him in person. He used to attend the international meets occasionally. I have two ’54 Commander Starliners.
I suppose this is a silly question but without any door handles (or any other visible means) how do you get into it?
Remote control solenoids OR hidden buttons for same solenoids.
presently, it has tiny holes in the skin of the panel you want to open. i have a key which is a very tiny allen wrench. push the key in and ……VOILA……open sesame. you can also fit poppers on the door if you want to get more fancy. but this set up fools most folk.
My Commander had door handles but the trunk was shaved with a momentary make switch behind the license plate for the solenoid. Push the plate to open the trunk.
Did automatics have the “hill holder” valve in the brake line or was that only on the manual shift models like mine?
What a Beautiful car ! would be a great project if only I didn’t already have too many projects and a bad heart to boot ! Someone’s going to get a great car, wish it was me.
I like it and would make a more serious bid. Please more info about rust and bondo
Solid california car, original amazingly rust free floors with no repairs. of course there will be bondo on a 70 year old car. there is some evidence of cracking in the paint upon close inspection. you would have a very difficult finding a more solid example.
I’d want to set it up as a lakes speed racer. Not into the custom look or the generic chevy under the hood.
Lowered slightly, full moon wheel covers, an early hemi backed by a 4spd with a simple little hood scoop. Yea, that would work for me. I guess a four point cage or something along that line and a simple stripped interior. Sure.
this car was built with the intent to comfortably drive and show on the street.