Vehicle Description
Talk about classics! Cars don't get any more classic than a
Studebaker. Literally. The Midwest manufacturer actually came along
well before the car as we know it even existed, first plying its
trade to build wagons for the farming industry and the military
before breaking into the automobile market and forging a reputation
for building reliable cars over the course of a half century. This
1955 Studebaker Champion Regal is a fine example. More than 60
years after it first stepped off the assembly line, this rolling
piece of numbers-matching Americana is running and looking
surprisingly strong.
The beefy front bumper juts out from the grille just above to give
the Champion Regal an aggressive, almost barracuda-like appearance,
but this classic's true ferocity lies in its rugged durability.
It's no barnyard discovery barely clinging to life, but rather a
vintage sedan that's held together unusually well. Two-tone,
turquoise and white paint replaces the original shade, but it looks
every bit vintage and is draped over a sturdy body whose four doors
still open and shut smoothly. A clay bar wax session would freshen
things up a bit, but the exterior on this '55 already has a lot
going for it: clean rubber surrounds the doors, trunk and windows
to keep the elements out, clear glass surrounds the cabin, and its
extensive array of trim - check out the broad swaths of chrome on
the rear fenders - is very much on point. This is also one very
distinctive ride that bears little resemblance to the counterparts
of its era - its stout front bumper merges directly into the grille
above and the rear roofline features an almost fastback taper that
wouldn't become en vogue elsewhere for quite some time yet.
The green interior has come through the years in strong fashion.
It's definitely seen some freshening-up during that time but
remains in its initial configuration. The bench seating in front
and back features new-looking two-tone vinyl covers that fit well
and complement the exterior nicely as it sits over an expanse of
clean carpeting protected by fresh floor mats up front. The dash
area just behind of the original steering wheel looks great as well
and the stock gauges in the instrument cluster are plenty readable.
The array of control knobs are securely in place and the original
AM radio, while it no longer works, is still connected to a
manually-raised, under dash antenna. A full size spare sits in its
proper vertical position next to its jack in the roomy trunk and,
while the fabric lining its floor could stand to be replaced, the
exposed floor and inner fenders appear very solid.
Everything's also been left in factory configuration under hood,
but the compartment still looks tidy and well-organized. The 186
cubic inch inline 6 sitting at its center with its vintage one
barrel carb and air cleaner has been there from the start and is in
very good form, representing an upgrade over its predecessors in
both power and displacement and firing up quickly and running
smoothly, not to mention much more quietly than you'd expect. The
engine teams with a 3-speed manual transmission that's operated via
a column-mounted shifter situated right next to a switch to engage
overdrive and bring highway speed RPMs down. This charming and
authentic-looking sedan sits on a set of 15" white steel wheels
sporting chrome caps and wrapped with Hankook Optimo H724s
tires.
It's not often that you come across a unique classic that's ready
to cruise as soon as you get it home, but that's just what this
1955 Studebaker Champion Regal offers. Call today!
