There’s no denying that the 1950 Studebaker Champion really stands out in a crowd! I guess you could say the design makes a point, or would that be comes to a point? The “spinner” style grille is definitely is a distinctive design feature, the back end that looks like a front end is rather interesting too. This one is definitely in need of a substantial amount of work, but you just don’t see these Starlights often. Hopefully someone will take pity on it and save it! If that person is you, you can find it here on eBay in Lexington, Kentucky with a current bid of $1,300.
Time has not been kind to this car, especially it’s body. It has some serious rust issues. Someone grafted a new roof onto it, but they didn’t finish the job. While it will make it easier to get to some of the rust, it makes me a bit nervous as to why the roof was chopped off and if the body was proper supported during the surgery. It looks like a bit of a mess, but with the right know how and time anything can be fixed.
While it might be true that anything can be done, the question remains as to whether it’s worth it. These aren’t particularly valuable, so unless you really want to take on this project for the fun of it, you could likely find one with its original roof still installed for only a little more. Perhaps it is cheap enough to justify the work or maybe you just like the challenge? Either way, more power to whoever takes this one on!
You’re right Josh,
This ’51 Starlight is up for grabs, in better shape too, ‘n so far, just 7K more.. :)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Studebaker-Champion-Starlight-Coupe-/331873213982?forcerrptr=true&hash=item4d452f5e1e:g:p94AAOSw3mpXMkVV&item=331873213982
Beauty and worth is in the eye of the beholder. Could be a long term fun(?) project!
More than the roof, I think the trunk as well is from the roof car. Who knows, maybe a tree fell on it. I suppose it could be fixed, but a lot of work. This was a popular car, I think because of it’s WW2 airplane styling. And Studebaker’s were just good cars. I’m sure people have restored worse.
Like the trustfundifarian’s restoring some of the worst looking 911’s for absurd amounts of money?
Man,
Flash from the past. I bought a sister car in ’65. I was a year away from being a legal owner, as I was only 15 yeas old. I bought it at the local pool hall for $ 150.00. The guy I bought it from just got his orders for Nam, so he had to dump it quickly. It had the requisite front fender crack, which I welded, and did a re paint. It was a tits little car. Ton’s of power. Even at the time, it was a stand out. Got a lot of looks. I’m always amazed at the low selling point of Stude’s. I had a 64 Grand Tourisimo that I bought for peanuts when I got out of the service in ’72. . Love me some Studes.
Took about 2 minutes to find one that appears in much better shape just a few minutes from me:
http://bham.craigslist.org/cto/5577403819.html
Mike K
The one you found is a sedan not a coupe. The sedan is not as desirable.
Thanks for catching that.
When I was a little kid back in the early 1950’s my aunt had one just like this. I thought it was so neat looking because I could pretend it was a rocketship.