Those Stubakers keep on rollin’, and today’s discovery, courtesy of T.J., is a 1955 Champion Regal, two-door hardtop. The seller states that he bought it from a seller who purchased it from the widow of the original owner, and he had “big plans” for it – more on that later. This Stude oozes originality, so let’s look it over and see if those intended plans were warranted. Merced, California, is its home, and it’s available here on Facebook Marketplace for $7,000 or a reasonable offer.
Studebaker essentially maintained three models in ’55: the President, the Commander, and the Champion. There was also a Speedster, a two-door hardtop, but it wasn’t appreciably different than our subject. The Champion was comprised of three trim levels: Regal, Deluxe, and Custom. Body styles included two-door hardtops and sedans, a four-door sedan, as well as two- and four-door station wagons. This Regal two-door hardtop is one of only 2,400 to leave South Bend in ’55. The body, which appears to be straight and rust-free, is finished in Saginaw Green – a hue typical of the fifties, while the top is a contrasting white. The lid still has some shine, but the seller remarks, “The paint is, I think, the second paint job close to the original color. Paint is a little on the flat side and starting to fail.” He mentions that the extensive stainless trim is “not bad” but does possess some creases. Finally noted is, “It has had one amateur floor repair behind the driver’s seat that is very solid but could be cleaned up and undercoated.” If it’s very solid, I guess an old highway sign or license plate was not used to effect the repair.
Powering this Champ is a 101 gross HP, 185 CI in-line, flathead six-cylinder engine backed up by an automatic transmission. The seller tells us, “I must admit I have only driven it around the block every week or so, just to keep the battery up. It actually runs pretty good, but I have not tried to take any farther than around the block.” The mileage is undisclosed. Oh, and those big plans? Stated is, “I really didn’t care about the running gear because I was going to change it all to Chevy when I got around to it. Well, I never got around to it.” I, for one, am glad he never got around to it.
The interior is tired. The upholstery is worn or split, and the front seat pattern/material doesn’t match that of the rear – though the seller states that the front buckets are Studebaker seats. We are told that the gauges work, and they still appear to be clear, but the original radio’s functionality is unknown; it just hums.
This is a cool car in my estimation! There certainly is a lot of originality present, and I can only imagine what the modern automotive scene would be like if cars with this Champion’s styling were still offered. Back to those plans, a Chevy engine? I can sorta see it; the flathead six, while having proved to be a durable engine, isn’t exactly an exciting prime mover. Still, I really appreciate an old ride that, 70 long years later, is just as its designers intended. That’s my thought on that swap business, what’s yours?
These were, well, are beautiful cars. The opening photo really highlights the beautiful lines. I am really surprised at the 6 in this one. I thought for sure it had a V8 of some sorts under the hood. If it had a 3 speed manual I’d probably keep the 6, but with an automatic I’m sure acceleration would be leisurely at best. The color combination and everything is great. I’d love to see this in the road again.
I’d rather see it “on” the road. To see it “in” the road would indicate it had conked out and was waiting for the tow truck.
You’re absolutely right. I did mean to say “on” and not “in”. If your “in” the road, you’re not in a good place.
It would take a V8 to haul all that chrome around.
I prefer originality in older cars for the most part. I would live with the six cylinder (along with its limitations) and just enjoy the car for what it is.
Same here. My thoughts exactly.
It’s only origional once!!!!!
Beautiful from all angles
With todays so called music…..just humming is goood
I am with Todd J. here. It’s only original once. THAT SAID. I swapped a 95 Firebird and still have the 3800 V6 backed by a 4L60E transmission on stands. 200 hp N/A would be more than enough to move this girl along modern roads and get decent mileage (those 4th gen ‘birds were heavy, so I think the performance, if not the ride, would be comparable in this unit). Dangit now I have to sell the wife on this idea. Wish me luck
Hmm, could a Coyote fit in that engine bay?
It is not a museum piece, and, car museums are closing left and right anyway, so put an SBC in it and drive it. The front chrome looks good, it would cost $7000 to re-chrome it today due to water pollution rules which make plating expensive (the waste used to be just dumped into our rivers). The 6 is a very old design, they burned oil, and were gutless as well. Redo the interior as you will, put in a modern AM/FM/Sirius radio, Blue Tooth if you must, and drive it. The trunk is enormous.
If I was going to do an engine swap, I’d keep it all Studebaker – drop in a Stude 259 or 289 V8 which is a great, bulletproof engine for not a ton of dough. Parts are still plentiful. Perfect to keep the period vibe and period driving experience, (which for me is what having old cars is about) while keeping up with traffic.
The only real upgrade I’d make for modern driving is a dual master cylinder and front disc brakes. Once you drop in a modern drivetrain, it exposes the other areas that need to be upgraded and at a point it ceases to be what it was, and no longer gives a “time travel” driving experience. I have zero problem with hot rodding a car, but I don’t quite understand taking an old car and wiping out the period experience. But different streaks for different freaks.
This is a steal .Messaging seller now .Could join my 53 and 54 hardtops and I’m not even a “Stude guy “
Didja pick her up?
Not knowing any better, this would seem to be viable on the bills to sell in 1955. However, that was not the case at all. They were too low and did not offer wraparound windshields. they were out of step with Chevrolet Ford and Plymouth. The extreme redesign of 1956 did help, but it was a little too little, too late. Studebaker was doomed due to poor management decisions. The Lark was their saving grace until Detroit started building compact cars. And instead of investing that money into new Larks, they wasted it on the Avante. Again, poor management decisions. It could have been different!
Basically what a friend has – his dad bought it new and slammed the hood in 1969 after nicking his finger on the fan blade. It’s a Commander with the V/8 and lucky it’s still in the garage….he’ll never sale it.
This six powered one is a sweet one and close on the price !
The 1953 was a beauty; the 1954 was nice, but added bulbous tail-lights which didn’t look as good as the ’53s did (this seemed to be a trend in those 1954 minor face-lifts, as manufacturers “held” in place, awaiting the radically new 1955 models. Studebaker didn’t have a radically new 1955 waiting, and so they performed a more bold facelift for 1955. Sorry — but that “catfish” front look did nothing for this car. The Hawk was the way to keep this body going — except for those hideous FINS!!! Studebaker finally got it right with the Gran Turismo Hawk, especially the 1964 model; but by then it was too late. That Raymond Loewy coupe was a timeless classic design, as nice in 1964, as it had been in 1953. But the nose of our featured 1955 was a disaster in mis-styling!
I wouldn’t call the ’54 taillights “bulbous.” They don’t stick out near as much as these ’55 taillights do but gave some amount of side visibility, which the ’53 lenses lacked. To me the ’54 taillights are just about perfect compromise.
Nice, mostly-original car. The 6-cyl automatic combo will hold back lots of buyers, but it’s hard to beat the price.
Put a supercharged Avanti engine in it