This former “98 point show car” collected dust in a garage and now stands ready for a second or third life with a new owner. The 1955 Studebaker Champion coupe’s second owner offers this Auburn, Georgia classic here on Facebook Marketplace. The asking price of $7500 buys what looks like a solid example of the classy two-door coupe in the popular ’50s tri-color of pink, black, and white. Thanks to reader T.J. for spotting this socked-away Studey.
Claimed show wins suggest someone preserved or refurbished the ride from stem to stern, a better starting point than many BarnFinds feature cars. Original style seat covers and door panels might come around with a one or more gentle cleaning sessions. If moisture and wildlife stayed on the outside, that’s a big plus.
The seller claims the car wears original black paint under the dust, and the pink lacquer re-spray did not age well. My late father rescued a 1966 Ford Thunderbird with its most recent paint job practically falling off, revealing almost-salvageable factory paint beneath. Decoding original brochures on lov2xlr8, this should be a Champion Regal Hard-top coupe.
This should be the Studebaker “Champion Six,” and the seller sadly reports its carburetor was ruined by someone hired to rebuild it. Misers prized Studebaker engines which often won or fared well in the Mobilgas Economy Runs. Locating a wiring block in the often leaned-upon radiator shroud seems like near-sightedness, but not as dangerous as the spike-shaped hood latch on my 1966 Dodge Coronet, a two-pronged metal dagger suspended from the open hood, perhaps someone’s sick idea to lacerate the scalp of anyone working on their own car instead of taking it to the dealer.
Studebaker offered a number of coupes with this sporty styling, and they’ve been popular as restored classics almost since new. Like others in the ’50s, Studebaker even offered supercharged V8 engines starting in 1957.
This may be the cleanest barn-find trunk we’ve seen in a while, though that trunk seal lip may need some attention.
The sleek “Loewy Coupe” looks great even in this dusty barn-fresh photo. This basic design began life as a 1953 show-car penned by Robert Bourke of the Raymond Loewy Design firm. Thankfully Studebaker built these beauties, as the design became a road-going masterpiece. Thanks to AteUpWithMotor for some details. Hopefully someone will revive this beauty and get it back in the wind. Where does this sporty Studebaker coupe rank on your list of ’50s classics?
There are a few legitimate reasons to be wary of this Studebaker, but the color combo and purported “98 point show car” history is very intriguing. Everything considered, it’s probably a good thing that it’s 1400 miles away from me
The interior appears to be original, and the unavailable cloth seat inserts look to be in great shape. Likewise, the original woven trunk mat and bumper jack are present and appear to be in decent condition for their age. A replacement carburetor should be easy to find. The manual transmission is a nice feature, as well. Hopefully this will be saved.
As a side note on Raymond Loewy. In Roanoke VA there’s a tiny museum called the O Winston Link Museum.
While the steam train photos taken by Mr Link are captivating enough, it’s housed in a building designed by Raymond Loewy and there’s a separate exhibit about him and his career. It’s an awsome little place for anyone interested in the history.
In my opinion, O Winston Link was the finest locomotive and train photographer ever. Mic drop! If you appreciate or study black/white photography, a trip to this museum is a must-see.
During the post-WW2 steam train era, OWL was able to create lighting systems in such a way that he was able to light up an entire locomotive AT NIGHT, while the train was at full speed. My favorite OWL photo is of a drive-in theater at night, full of 1950s cars, while in the background a huge Norfolk and Southern (?) Challenger 4-6-6-4 locomotive thunders by on an elevated rail bed, with everything lit by huge flash bulbs.
Thank you, Beyfon. I’ve visited this museum at least twice. Learning about Mr. Loewy and seeing the work of Mr. Link makes a pleasant diversion if you’re traveling along I81 in southwestern Virginia. https://roanokehistory.org/raymond-loewy-gallery/
Facebook ad says sold as of 6/16/25.
Steve R
Suddenly, I have a craving for “Good n Plenty” candy.
Yes!
Here we go again. Pull the car out, take pictures, and then give the thing a good wash. Take pictures again. Damn, people are so lazy! This Studebaker would make a good starting point for anyone wanting to get into the hobby.
1000% agree. Probably not done to hide rust issues on this one.
Failing to do a quick wash and detail probably cost the owner about $5,000 in increased value. Someone got a damn good deal by taking a chance on a filthy car.
In 1985 I found a 1950 Packard Custom Super Eight sedan with only 1,100 miles on it. Car was sitting in a dusty old single car garage where it had been parked about 1955 when the original owner’s health failed. The family just ignored the car for the next 30 years. It looked about as dirty as this Studebaker but cleaned up beautifully. Sold the Packard for more than 10 times what I paid for it. The big surprise was that it was riding on the original Firestone Deluxe Champion tires that were still inflated!
I am the now owner of this vehicle we are doing a restoration on it if you would like to follow along with the process please follow my shop page https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578051261253
Think maybe I’d change out the front clip for a ’53 or ’54 like the guy did in a previous posting.
You have ESP, Bob? That was my exact thought, along with finding a 289 to replace the 6. An hour northeast of Atlanta….hmmmm. Nah, too many projects in front of it.
This car was based on the beautiful 1953 Studebaker. They supposedly updated it for 1955 in order to be more fashionable. To me, it looked like a heavily chromed and awkward vehicle. The 1953 and 1954 model Studebakers were very good looking. I even like the 1956 and 57 Studebakers.