The Studebaker Champion was built between 1939 and 1958 across five generations. It was often the entry-level model, such as in 1955 when the car was the gateway to either the Commander or the President. This era produced some beautiful cars for Studebaker, styled by the famous Raymond Loewy and his studio. This Champion belonged to the seller’s father who spent 15 years restoring the Studebaker. From Golden, Colorado, this piece of 1950s gold is available here on craigslist for $26,000. Thanks for the neat tip, Mark_K!
Fourth-generation Champions emerged from Loewy’s clutches in 1953 and continued through 1956 before they were reworked after the merger between Studebaker and Packard. In 1953 and 1954, the 2-door pillared coupe was called the Starlight, while the one without pillars was the Starliner. Those monikers were dropped in 1955 and the cars simply became Champions, and a wraparound windshield was added. The Champion was dropped in 1958 in preparation for the all-new Studebaker Lark that would debut in 1959 and save Studebaker (well, for a little while, at least).
In 1955, the Champion would be Studebaker’s second most popular car at 50,000+ copies. This compared to nearly 59,000 Commanders and almost 25,000 Presidents. We assume the seller is liquidating the car in the living absence of his/her father and the photographs and description provided are minimal. The car is said to have 72,000 miles on it, but that figure has not been verified. We assume the body looks great, but only one photo is offered, and the interior is brand-new and beautiful.
Under the hood resides what the seller says is a 252 cubic inch V8, but we believe he/she means a 259, but that engine didn’t come about until 1957. Perhaps when dad was restoring the car, he dropped that in rather than rebuilding the 186 cubic inch inline-6. The transmission is a 3-speed manual with an overdrive. A few mods were a part of the restoration process, such as side pipes for the exhaust, an electric fan for the radiator, and an electric fuel pump. We’re told that everything else was gone through so this ought to be a stout Stude.
I like the pseudo ram air the builder installed. May get colder air to the engine. Looks like a good build but lacks more photos. My guess is the true Studebaker crowd may not like. Side pipes can go. It may run out well and with OD be able to run the highway.
The side pipes on this = FAIL
Well, NOTHING wrong with the side pipes. I thinks Gramps is sitting inside the car in the first photo. I would keep it the way it is in honor of his 15 year long build.
In the fifties I learned to drive on the farm in 47 Studebaker pickup and my parents also at that time had a 53 two door Studebaker Commander V/8 with an auto transmission and have liked 53 and 54’s ever since but in 55 the change of stying of the grill didn’t do justice to overall design of those three years. I always said a 55 would have to be in perfect original condition not to replace the front clip with a 53 or 54.
‘In 1953 and 1954, the 2-door pillared coupe was called the Starlight, while the one without pillars was the Starliner.’
The 2 door coupe was called the Starlight. The hardtop was called the Starliner. FIFY.
“Hardtop” is the exception. As in hardtop coupe, sedan, wagon.
No need to tie yourself into knots, Russ.
The 259 engine came out in 1955. The 289 in 1956
Looking at the lines of this car and what stands out to me is how far ahead in design this was. I mean this looks like it should have been competing against the 1965ish Nova, Falcon etc rather than a 55 Chevy or Ford etc. BTW I am not talking chassis or running gear but body design.
For 26K you could expect more and better pictures but I can see why seller didn’t show the front end: that ugly ’55 “fish mouth” grille.
It looks like it could be the 352 cubic inch Packard V8 that was sometimes installed in these cars. More and better photographs may have cleared this issue..
Looks like a Studebaker engine to me. It’s got early four-bolt valve covers but also a spin on oil filter that came later.
The Starlight/Starliner designation did go away in ’55 but the Champions (and every other “Loewy coupe” based model) continued to be made in both hardtop and coupe body styles. Once the Hawk line debuted in ’56, The “Champion” name was relegated to the sedans. The wraparound windshield debuted in ’55 but was limited to some, but not all, of the sedan models. Fortunately that feature never made it to the “coupes” as it came in and out of style all during the 11-year Starliner/Starlight and Hawk run.
Studebaker shou have been saved.