Vehicle Description
1953 Studebaker Champion Hardtop
"The 1953 new car design would be the most talked about, most
written about, and also the last all new major car redesign in
Studebaker's history. This was a Loewy design, but the actual lines
were laid down by Robert Bourke. This design, at least the center
sections, would continue on until the end of Studebaker production.
Champions and Commanders had an identical model lineup and used the
same sheet metal. This makes it hard to tell them apart. The
exterior "tells" between them are the front and rear badges."
Thxrrvcsdc.org
For consignment, a 1953 Studebaker Champion hardtop showing 63,161
miles but the true miles are unknown. With service notes dating
back to 1999, it's clear this car has been well maintained and when
things needed replacement, it was done. It's straight, clean, and
show worthy and can be your entry into the passionate Studebaker
club.
Exterior
Pastels originated in Italy, so it's fitting that this car is
bathed in Tahoe Green, a pastel shade on a car touted with
headlines reading "the new American car with the European look" and
in 1953, there weren't many cars like it, if any! It starts with
that split grille and three point star on the nose underscored by a
chrome bumper with bumperettes that jut out like a bulldog's
underbite. The shoulder line trails down to back where panels
narrow, topped by a polished trim piece and complemented by the
cabin that cants rearward and also narrows as it goes. The brochure
calls the contrasting roof, here in Ivory Mist white, a "hard top
convertible for 5" and at distance, it does appear to have a
separate roof. In back, smart tail lights in a fin flank a wide
smooth decklid over a more ornate rear bumper in chrome. 15-inch
Truespoke wire wheels are on board and our consignor includes the
original wheels and covers in the sale. The only imperfection is
some paint runs on and near the rocker panel.
Interior
Gray and taupe stack alternately on handsome door panels, sparsely
appointed and in very good shape. Lined gray cloth fills a gray
vinyl shell like a pinstripe jacket on the split bench and it's
based in a gray painted shell, and the pattern continues in the
back where two defined seats flank an armrest with handy ashtray in
the center and coordinated sidewalls under the fixed quarter
window. Slight patina appears on the smooth and simple two spoke
steering wheel, leading to the Champion's unique instrument panel
that puts three circular gauges behind glass with a chrome frame
and those gauges wear a unique font as well. A motor minder vacuum
gauge is mounted under the dash and a more modern AM/FM radio
resides on the lower dash under a polished mid panel that extends
to house the glove box button. Beautiful gray carpet covers the
floor front and rear and the gray headliner is clean and tight. The
trunk is very wide and shallow for the times, cleanly covered with
a gray mat and home to a Tahoe Green steel wheel with Studebaker
cap.
Drivetrain
The clean engine in the bay is a rebuilt Silver Hawk 289ci motor
from 1957, rated at 225 horsepower and topped with an Edelbrock
4-barrel carburetor. The 3-speed manual transmission has overdrive,
a new clutch, and pressure plate. Power is routed to a Dana 44 axle
with 4.56 gears and brakes, which our consignor states are new, are
discs in front and drums in back.
Undercarriage
Driver quality underneath with some typical surface rust, oil on
the pan, transmission and rear differential, and some grease build
up in some places. The dual exhaust carries glasspack style
mufflers while heading straight back to exit via chrome tips.
Suspension consists of coil springs up front and leaf springs in
the back. We note surface rust on the bottom of the doors, but
nothing invasive.
Drive-Ability
A low and sleek car by 50's standards, Studebakers also tend to be
ultra comfortable and this one does not veer from our expectations.
The engine runs strong and allows respectable acceleration with
straight tracking with the 205/75R15 tires, good handling, and good
visibility through the curved rear window and raked windshield. On
our drive, we note the horn is not working, the brake lights do not
illuminate, and the heater core is not hooked up. All other
functions work as intended. While Classic Auto Mall represents that
these functions were working at the time of our test drive, we
cannot guarantee these functions will be working at the time of
your purchase.
The tag on the car indicates a Champion Starlight but the car also
wears some Commander badging, in particular the "V" with the 8 on
the rear panel and decklid. Early in production, the three point
star would have been typical for both the Champion and Commander,
but Mercedes Benz took issue with it and models switched to the V
emblem. No foul in showing the same year evolution of the brand on
one car, and this is a swell example to do so. Great paint, a clean
interior, and a unique design that keeps Studebaker enthusiast
blood flowing and "newbies" to the maker stepping up to keep them
under stewardship. Here's one looking for a new steward.
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and
collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate
controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8
acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic
and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the
I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit
www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us
anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.
There is no guarantee of mileage. A $299 Dealer Administrative fee
is not included in the advertised price.
With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and
we do that each week on the Classic Auto Mall Podcast with host
Stewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trends
in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and
automotive professionals about amazing cars and their history. Tune
in each week to the Classic Auto Mall Podcast wherever you enjoy
listening. You can also watch on YouTube!
