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Solid Stude: 1950 Studebaker Champion Starlight

“Is it coming or going,” was the old joke told about the Raymond Loewy-designed post war Studebakers and to the audience of the time, these cars had to have looked like something from another planet.  You can decide for yourself what direction they’re going with this 1950 Studebaker Champion Starlight coupe for sale in Hemmings Motor News for $4800 OBO in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

I will confess to being something of a Studebaker nut, especially for these bullet-nose cars built in 1950 and 1951. The two door Starlight coupe with its awesome wrap-around rear window is at the top of the heap for desirability in my opinion. From the side, it is reminiscent of the high-class observation cars of passenger trains at the time.

This example appears to have lived its life in a dry climate since there is a definite lack of rust visible in the photos provided by the seller. The paint is sun faded and any corrosion on the body exterior looks like it is limited to those faded areas. The ad description states that are corrosion holes in the trunk floor and driver’s side floor which will need attention.

The interior photos show a car in fairly nice condition with shiny dashboard and trim paint along with bright chrome and an unstained headliner. There are no pictures of the upholstery but some of the exterior shots show a plaid seat covering which the seller states may be an aftermarket item. The carpet does not appear to be original, but it is present.

The money shot is the of the engine bay. The seller believes that the engine installed is from a 1954 Studebaker and that it has a performance head. In any case, it is clean and appears to have had a lot of effort put into it. The original engine is included in the sale, along with a long list of extra parts and shop manuals.

It “runs and drives but needs a lot of fixing and checking,” according to the ad, but then the fixing and checking is a lot of the fun in an old car.

Comments

  1. Avatar hatofpork

    Wow! This has such a beautiful faded look! And that aluminum (?) head! I envy the lucky new owner.

    Like 11
  2. Avatar Rustytech Member

    I am in the process of restoring my grandfathers last car, a 1965 Corvair Monza. This would be a perfect bookend, as it is the first car I remember him having. He bought the Studebaker new two years before I was born, and drove it until he bought the Corvair in late 1965. Unfortunately at my age, and with two projects in the works I just can’t take on another. I hope someone will do a proper restoration on this and not chop it up.

    Like 7
  3. HoA Howard A Member

    A performance head ( whistles) 10% increase(?), and when you have 75 hp to begin with, now it has 82.5. Gets you over the hill a little faster, I suppose, usually followed by a cloud of smoke. Got a lot of neat features, hill holder clutch( that Subaru copied) O/D, although, even with the performance head, you’ll be dropping a gear on the hills,WW2 bomber styling, if that does anything for you, nice find.

    Like 8
    • Avatar Andy

      You’re no fun.

      Like 12
      • HoA Howard A Member

        Sorry, but when was the last time you drove a 3500 pound car with 80 hp? That’s no fun, but it was a different time.

        Like 2
      • Avatar packrat

        To Howard below: Probably about ten years ago, in the hilly city of Nashville, and it being a ’48 Studebaker, I loved it (no Hill Holder on the one I was piloting). But yes, not a Rush Hour commuter car. You’d have to pick your battles.

        Like 5
      • Avatar newfieldscarnut

        FYI ; the 1950 Studebaker Starlight Coupe weighed in at 2,690 pounds . This particular coupe has overdrive . What’s not to like ? Just look at it !! This car is just plain cool .

        Like 4
    • Avatar GO-PAR

      Howard, I can appreciate your comments about the lack-of-power factor (I own a ’51), but with these bullet nose cars, its really all about the style. And btw, I drove mine on a 200 mile trip recently with narry a hiccup!

      Like 4
  4. Avatar Beatnik Bedouin

    Ah, if I only had the garage space – and like Rustytech – a few less projects, I’d be tempted…

    Like 3
  5. Avatar That AMC Guy

    I have a soft spot for these bullet-nose models since I also remember my grandfather driving one. I think though his was a 4-door sedan.

    Not to mention that these cars are a bear’s natural habitat!

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2LFp-nM9BQ

    Like 7
  6. Avatar Maestro1

    I saw this ad in Hemmings and would have bought it instantly except that it’s too far away and I have no more room. Somebody jump on this car. Never mind all the performance issues. It’s a design and and american icon.

    Like 8
  7. Avatar dweezilaz

    The same model and year Studebaker my parents brought me home in.

    Theirs was sea foam green and the first car I ever remember.

    Twisted for life at an early age.

    What a treat, Rodney.

    Thanks

    Like 4
  8. Avatar Hide Behind

    As my mind warp usually looks at old cars in, ” I wonder what changes I can make”, for some reason I am enthralled when I see these on the road, especially when they have stock wheels and those skinny period correct tires.
    A roller skate with a motor.
    Keep em stock while adding vwinshield visor, Skinny stalked outside mirror, funky hood ornament and find old rotating bullet center replacement.
    Would not be surprised if a Stude Club member pays top dollar for it.
    From simple times, and would make a simply fun to drive auto.

    Like 2
  9. Avatar charlie Member

    My father’s first new car was a ’50 Champion 4 door sedan. We went on our first and only family road trip in it, in the summer of ’51, from Boston to Niagara Falls, before the Mass Turnpike or the NY Thruway. US Route 20 all the way. Took 2 days. Went back via Newark NJ. It overheated on the big hills, over and over again. No oil filter so the engine was toast at 40,000 miles, dealer put in a rebuilt with no dipstick hole. Dealer put in a 2nd rebuilt with a dipstick hole. Car was nicely finished, compared to a Chevy or Ford of the day, but mechanically a dud. Father gave up and bought a Chevy. Uncle had a ’51 with the new V8, plenty of power, but often ran poorly, he gave up and bought a Ford. One reason they could not compete was reputation for reliability sucked.

    Like 2
    • Avatar Kenny

      What? I own 6 Studebakers, and I can tell you they are very reliable cars. Long road trips in ours, often over a thousand miles at a time. I wonder if your uncle’s memory is clouded by the passing of time…?

      Like 1
  10. Avatar Joe

    75 HP, You are missing the point. This is American Auto history. Our history !

    Like 4
  11. Avatar hatofpork

    It may be slow and even rickety mechanically speaking, but how often will you ever see this kind of automotive sculpture coming the other way?

    Like 4
  12. Avatar Wrong Way

    I too am a admirer of the Starlight! There is something odd about the nose cone tho! It shouldn’t have a space around the top of it! I know that the story on this one is that his father died and had completed the engine, but never got a chance to finish it!

    Like 2
    • Avatar GO-PAR

      Wrong Way, the hood does not appear to be completely closed. I believe if brought to full closure, said space will vanish….

      Like 1
  13. Avatar Neil

    Exactly my first car, right down to the paint color. I bought it at the local pool hall from a guy shipping out to Vietnam. $ 125.00. The car was 15 years old at the time I bought it, the same year as I was born. Not a totally legal purchase, I couldn’t have a D/L at the time. Minor issue.
    I loved this car on the highway. Hit overdrive and it purred right along. If memory serves, it had a Bear Cat 4 bbl carb? It was a 4 bbl for sure.Never heard of it before or since.

    Like 1

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