From 1939 to 1958, the Champion was the “bread and butter” car of Studebaker, which meant it appealed to budget-minded buyers. In 1953, the Champion differed from the Commander in that it used an inline-6 while the latter came with a V8 engine. 2-door sedans were referred to as Starlights, while the hardtops were Starliners (the styling would apply later to the myriad of Hawks that were built from 1956 to 1964). Located in Silex, Missouri, this ’53 Champion wears an older restoration but seems quite nice 36 years later. It’s available here on Facebook Marketplace for $19,500 OBO.
Fourth generation Champions were on the assembly line from 1953 to 1956. Gone was the “bullet-nose” styling that characterized the cars earlier in the decade. A 170 cubic inch “L-head” inline-6 was standard in 1953, replaced later by 186 cubic inches. Styling credit goes to the Raymond Loewy Design Studios, who provided lots of layouts for Studebaker. These Champions were more streamlined than their predecessors and, thus, popular in land speed racing circles. More than 93,000 Champions were built in 1953, a good year for Studebaker (before they merged the next year with Packard).
From the seller’s description, they may have owned the car for several years, perhaps dating to its restoration in 1990. The odometer reading is said to be 40,000 miles, perhaps using the restoration as a starting point. The inline-6 is paired with a 3-speed manual transmission. The primary color of the paint looks to be rose, and the interior is grey and looks good from what we can tell.
More recent repairs include a new generator and some brake work. The car looks to be ship shape overall with no rust. We’re told the reason for the sale is health issues in the family. These cars seem to turn up less often than the later Hawks, and this one might be a dandy. Do you have 20 grand to put into a Cars & Coffee “Champion”? Thanks for the South Bend tip, “Zappenduster”.
Nice find, and write up. I was at an personal auction few years ago in North Florida. Guy restored Studebakers for a living. Had 8 of them in various stages for sale, and parts up the wazoo. Things were selling for pennies on the dollar.
In my world, the 1953 Starliner is easily one of the top 5 most beautiful stock cars ever built. The pictures do not do it justice, that’s for sure.
I didn’t care for the updated front end on a ’55. To me it looked like a catfish. Nephew to the Daimler Dart.
Agree…very modern for the time. Two others I’d throw in the mix are the Citroen DS and Mercedes gullwing as being out-of-box compared to contemporaries as a whole.
Seems like an optimistic price based on the shrinking market for this type of car. But I may stand corrected. The market will determine the value
Kinda sad there wasn’t the Packard V8 under that hood. Paint looks like some compound would bring it back to shiny.
Counted Bob Bourke among my friends and this, his “opus,” was/is a total, bases-loaded home run!
Incidentally, Bob also had a hand in the styling of the “Shoebox” Fords of ’49.
The Starlight is a coupe. The 2 door sedan is a totally different on a 116 inch wheelbase. The Starliner and Starlight rode on a 120 inch wheelbase.
The “Lowey Coupes” are beautiful and the best looking of all Studebakers.
1953 is the year most desire before the 1954/55 and in this HARDTOP form with the windows down has that look. Priced on the high side for a flathead but most are thinking a motor swap anyways………
As mentioned a big following with lakes racers. Me included, though not as a racer …. Just loved those I read about in the magazines as s kid.
One of my favorite bodies from this era from any of the manufactures back then. Looks solid and ready for use as is. But the color puts me off. Plus the deep pockets needed to put it in ones own driveway.
How about that center arm rest in the back seat? Cool car.
Very low body number. Probably an original “tri-star” car, further indicated by the horn button. The 3-speed manual is the transmission to have if you are trying to wring the most out of the little 6. Can tell if it has OD or not. I have a ’54 Commander (V8) Starliner with 3-spd/OD, and it’s a very enjoyable car to drive.