Vehicle Description
1953 Studebaker Champion
In 1953, Studebaker was redesigned by Robert Bourke, from Raymond
Loewy's design studio. ("the Loewy Coupe" or "Low Boy"). The 2-door
coupe with a central pillar was called the Starlight while the more
expensive hardtop coupe was called the Starliner. In addition to
the Loewy Coupe there was also a 2-door sedan based on a shortened
4-door sedan. The 2-door sedan has a taller profile, and the back
side windows in the 2-door sedans are noticeably bigger than the
windows in the Loewy Coupe.
For consignment borrowing its original design from Raymond Lowey
some customization and modifications now have this car presenting
as a very tasteful restoration-mod version of the 1953 Champion
hardtop 2 door coupe. All chrome has been painted over in deep red,
and an airbrushed highlighting "swoop spear" adorns either side. A
more powerful and beautifully presenting 350ci Chevrolet engine and
a turbo 350 transmission are within the confines of this restored
exterior, and also has a custom interior within.
Exterior
A complete body off restoration now is straight, Lowey lines with
the Citroen inspired front grille, wrap around rear window
roofline, and long and low rear trunk deck. Traditional Studebaker
lines show up on this car everywhere and it has a look like none
other, possibly bordering on odd, but still wonderfully attractive
in its uniqueness. The paint is deep deep red and is definitely the
deep end of the pool looking nearly perfect. Blue dot taillights, a
chrome exhaust peeking out from underneath the painted red bumper,
and 15-inch Torque Thrust polished wheels wrapped in nice rubber,
shows well on all 4 corners.
Interior
If you have a fancy for red then this car deserves a serious look.
With a swing of the doors you are greeted with yards and yards of
red vinyl all neatly stitched to form the door panels. All red save
for the door opening handle which is near perfect chrome. Slipping
inside this sleek sports car, the customization bleeds more red
vinyl with perfectly proportioned red vinyl covered buckets looking
like new. A custom center console, also in red, sports the window
toggles and a large storage glovebox. The rear seats have been
custom formed with a bench in dual bucket format and a central
armrest molded in. All these perfect chairs float in a sea of
beautiful red carpeting with no stains or even dirt showing. To the
front with the custom painted red metal dash with a new gauge
cluster insert, and all updated modern white-faced Classic
Instruments gauges in a black field. Moving across the dash some
billet knobs and a Pioneer AM/FM/CD stereo is neatly installed.
Fronting this dash is a rally style 4 spoked billet style center
steering wheel wrapped in red leather. Beautiful clean and pristine
red makes up the headliner. A shout out to the trunk which is all
red and all buttoned up with perfect red carpeting.
Drivetrain
Opening the low slung styled hood, we see more...red! Stuck right
in the center though is a nice 350ci Chevrolet engine all polished
and chromed to reflect the red paint surrounding it. It is topped
by an Edelbrock intake and Edelbrock 4-barrel carburetor and backed
up with a 200R4 4-speed automatic transmission. Way back for the
rear axle is a 10-bolt posi setup. Headers and a turbo muffler aid
in the exhale of this beautifully buttoned up mill.
Undercarriage
As expected from the topside condition, the undercarriage is show
quality. This means simply no rust, shiny back and structurally
sound metal holding independent coil sprung suspension up front,
and leaf springs for the rear. New disc brakes are on the front,
and drums for the back, and all is just nearly perfect
underneath.
Drive-Ability
A classic restoration mod as such is typically a battle for the
test drive, and this proved no different, so my partner in crime
and I both had our turn at the rally wheel. We are both impressed
with the power, handling and smoothness of this beautifully redone
car. All functions were working just fab, and it is a real head
turner with all the red.
Using Loewy's original design then accenting it with no chrome and
just red paint, along with that airbrushed swoop spear on either
side, and we have a great looker, good cooker, awaiting your foot
to get a little goosey with your boot, and put a smile on your face
while putting miles on this resto-modded beauty.
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.