While there are some cars from automotive history which would tend to make rear seat passengers feel claustrophobic due to little or no visibility from the rear seats, the Starlight is not a car that could have that sort of criticism leveled against it. That vast expanse of rear glass offers panoramic views in every direction. Barn Finder Ken spotted this Starlight for us, so thank you so much for that Ken. Located in Auburn, Washington, the Studebaker is listed for sale here on Craigslist.
Legendary designer Virgil Exner turned his pen to designing the Starlight, and its design seems to have attracted as many detractors as admirers. The main criticism revolved around the length of the deck lid, which many felt made the car look like it was traveling in the wrong direction. Today, that design is something that is refreshingly different and distinct. This particular Starlight may not be perfect, but it does appear to be a solid car with only a few very minor rust issues. The car could easily be driven as it is, but a repaint in that original Plaza Grey would have the car looking 100%.
The interior is in generally useable condition, but it would be nice to return it to its former glory. The rear seat, dash, and headliner all look to be quite good, but the front seat will need a new cover, and the door trims could really benefit from reupholstering. The more that I look at the car, the more I have to wonder just how amazing it must have been to travel in the back seat. This is something that I’m going to have to try one day.
When the current owner purchased the car, it had been sitting since 1979. Naturally, there was plenty of work to do to return the car to the land of the living. That 246ci engine received major work to the fuel system, cooling system, and cylinder head. At the same time, there was major work performed on the braking system and rear axle. The car now runs, drives, and stops well, and the 3-speed overdrive transmission also works perfectly. The only issue is the fact that the engine is apparently a bit smoky, but it does have good oil pressure and runs quietly and smoothly. This could be something as simple as a sticking piston ring from the years of inactivity, and it could potentially settle after some ongoing use.
In his advertisement, the owner does make some claims about the “book” value of this Studebaker, and those are pretty close to the mark. The car is not perfect, but it is a really solid example of a quite unusual and interesting car, and good examples do sell for prices of around $20,000. The owner of this particular car has priced it at $8,500 OBO, which does seem like quite a good buy.
The only problem Studebaker had was they were so far ahead of their time few people appreciated them. Someone buy this car, return it to glory, and show it off. Just wish it could be me.
I know the owner of this car, and he’s a stand-up Guy. Whatever work he says he’s done to this car was done properly. And my own situation was similar– I bought a ’50 Commander that had been sitting for years and got it running.The more I use it, the better it runs and drives… several inoperative things have begun working again on their own.
These Commanders are a totally different car from a Champion– heavier frame and suspension, bigger brakes, entire drive train is bigger and stronger. They glide down the road and comfortably keep up with modern traffic. We love ours!
I had the 50 Commander Starlight. It remains my favorite Stude. Coils springs for 1950 made a world of difference. Too bad this one is so far away.
They have shippers for that here in America!
Sorry but without the “Bullet-nose” it’s just an ugly car from the front.
In our town there were two examples of the breed. One was a light green Champion and the other a maroon coloured Commander . This would have been around the year 1949 when new cars were impossible to buy. Someone told me they had come via Switzerland . I recall people used to stand and stare at them in amazement as they passed by wondering which way they were going.
If you want to get rid of the smoke put a qt. of Lucas engine oil stabilizer in the engine on the next oil change. That stuff is fantastic for keeping old engines running. I had a Saturn sc1 that burned a litre every 1000 kilometres started using the Lucas and it stopped using oil altogether. I drove it like that for 5 years and it never gave me any trouble. As for this Studabaker I’m in the camp of the like it. The back window and back of the car have always reminded me of what a submersible should look like. Very unique car I hope someone buys it and takes it to the next level.
Damned nice car, although, like Chinga-Trailer, I’m more of a fan of the bullet-nose to complete the OTT look. Hope this one finds a loving home.
Like a lot of automotive stylists, Exner was influenced by contemporary aircraft designs.
One more here for the “bullet nose” this one lacks. That being said…it’s still a fine example of “Streamline Moderne” design. Heck…I’d even sample Exner’s handiwork from the back half to residential use. This car restored would hold it’s own in any collection. This car restomodded would be rockin’ at cars and coffee.
I’ve never understood why people think things are too far away. If they were near them, they would be all rusted out first off. Second it’s the price you pay for getting something if you really want it.
That being said, this car would be really neat with a nice Chevy LS ,New paint, wider steel wheels, stock caps!
I agree, Scott. In most cases where people say “I’d buy this if it weren’t so far away”, I suspect they wouldn’t actually buy it if it were two blocks away.
Either that, or they’re just being realistic about not having the skill to purchase a vehicle sight-unseen and not get burned on the deal. And that’s OK. Not everyone does. But it rather drastically limits the selection of vintage cars available to you.
Sorry, but I’m going to buy a car I haven’t inspected with my own eyes. If it’s operable, I want to drive it. Spending tens of thousands of dollars on a vehicle is a huge deal, and I’m not about to get burned. If a car is in Indiana and I want it badly enough, I’m catching a plane to Indiana. This car is 225 miles from me (I tipped BF to this car.) If I wanted it, I’d drive over Snoqualmie Pass and check it out myself.
Nothing to be sorry for, Ken. If that’s what it takes, that’s what it takes. As I said above, there’s nothing wrong with that. You have to be comfortable making the deal, or it’s not a good deal.
If this Stude were 225 miles from me, and I wanted it, I’d probably drive over too. but if it were in Indiana, I’m sure not flying across the country to look at an $8000 car. If it were an $80,000 car, I’d hire a marque expert more local to the car to evaluate it. Cheaper than airfare and more reliable than a test drive.
My own personal requirement on any deal is that I have to be able to speak personally on the phone with the owner of the vehicle. I can generally tell within 5 minutes if I’m buying the car or not. I’ve bought literally scores of vehicles sight-unseen and had them shipped.
Would I recommend my techniques to everyone? No. Have I ever been burned? Not really, unless you consider a car showing up half a grade or so lower than the seller’s representation a burn job. I don’t; it’s almost a given, and I factor it in. And sometimes the car is even better than expected, such as the mint, lo-mile original Corvair I had shipped up here to Oregon this month from east Texas. It’s stunning.
No, it would not be “really neat” with a Chevy LS. You would be destroying what is special and unique about this rare and beautiful car, and turning it into just another boring restomod.
Mercy sakes, you guys that get soon bent out of shape,just because someone has an opinion on what would be fun to do ( upgrade the drive train )
with something that is different.To each his own.
I for one, would do the same.
A restomod done right could be returned back to original, including original parts. Example I replaced the original seats in my dodge with modern dodge seats but the old ones will bolt right back in should I change my mind later on. It’s all in the planing and the skill of the modifier. I’ve also put power disc brakes on my car but with minimal effort they could go back to stock at any time. Problem is a lot of restomods are done by amitures with sawsalls, cutting touches and no planing, Which lends credence to what Ken is saying, he’s not wrong and many cars are left ruined by this kind of work.
Wonderful car, I have no room, someone jump on this.
Studebakers are cool and very unusual. I am currently working on our 1948 Studebaker Business Coupe (I found the car last year in a barn where it had been sitting since 1972) putting in an LS-3 and 6 speed manual from a 2010 Camaro SS, 430hp that should wake her up.I love the looks of the Studebaker so, except for the drivetrain,plan on keeping everything factory.The ultimate sleeper!!
The shorter wheel based Champion Starlight Coupe looked better, to my mind, the big difference being the trunk length. But, Studebakers, even the lowest price Champion, were so much better finished than the Ford/Chevy/Plymouth of the time – lots of exposed screw heads in the big 3. But the engines suffered from overheating, and on the Champion, oil filters were an extra cost option, my father did not opt, the engine was toast at 40,000 miles. Rebuilt engine had no dipstick hole in the block. Like my new Audi, but no electronic read, my ’39 MG did have a float in the oil pan, pressing a button on the dash changed the gas gauge to an oil gauge.
From the firewall back the Champion and Commander are the same.
The Champion and Commander are the same from the firewall back except trim.
No it’s not a bullet nose, but still pretty cool. Restore it to showroom condition and enjoy it.
48-49-50- yrs were known to burn oil—-later yrs not so much like the bullet nose n starlite coupes 53-4-ken