For Sale: 1951 Studebaker Champion in Morgantown, Pennsylvania

1951 Studebaker Champion Starlite Coupe

"By the 1950s, Americans expected to have cars and travel widely. Even people of average income wanted their cars to reflect their personalities. If you wanted to turn heads, then Studebaker was the brand for you. Studebaker competed for customers with Ford, Chevy, and Plymouth, using airplane inspired styling and radical wraparound rear windows. This model seems to leap forward even when standing still." Thehenryford.org

For consignment, a 1951 Studebaker Championship Starlite coupe showing 129,293 miles, but the true miles are unknown. This work in progress is sitting on the chassis of an '89 S10 and there's a 4.3 liter behind the bullet nose!

Exterior
We've got a combination of unpainted panels, primer areas, a smoothed filler and if you put on some wipe on a clear coat, you could call it a day as is. But a body like this also deserves some color, fantastic, rearward sweeping lines that start with the front, sharply angling back and of course, capped by the legendary bullet nose detail that along with the side ornamentation, looks very much like an airplane over the smiling grille below and between teardrop shaped headlights. Cadillac style pointed amber marker lights now adorn the front while double red '59 Caddy units live out back. The wrap-around rear window really could pass for a windshield and creates an open greenhouse with unobtrusive B-pillar. 14-inch red steel wheels wear full covers, wrapped in staggered size tires with a late 2019 date code. There is surface rust, cracking filler, ill fitting add ons, and just general patina on the outside.

Interior
Though the door panels are rough with some patina and peeling panels, the layout is consistent with everything about the Studebaker, slightly different than the other guys, here with vertically stitched glossy red vinyl over a white panel over a plaid multi colored lower. More modern bucket seats are in front in black vinyl, while the rear bench is white cloth and in poor condition with tears and soiling. A three spoke steering fronts the familiar S10 dashboard with arching blue gauges and plastic toggles, all showing some patina. The remaining dash is the Studebaker's with holes and wires and yet the glovebox ornamentation remains. The floor is barren steel with rubber mats and the headliner is what we'd call barn find condition. Yeah, she's a diamond in the rough, but let's get to what's underneath!

Drivetrain
Here we have GM's venerable 4.3 liter V6 and it's a new, remanufactured example with fuel injection. It's backed by a 700R4 4-speed automatic that sends power to the 10 bolt rear axle. We note a newer aluminum radiator, hoses, and belts under the hood in an otherwise driver quality bay. The battery has been relocated to the trunk, and the car runs on a 12 volt system.

Undercarriage
Driver quality here too with plenty of surface rust, and oil presence limited to a cross member. The exhaust looks fresh in comparison, a single system with a stock style muffler that sends the tailpipe sideways to exit in front of a rear wheel. Power disc brakes are up front with power drum in back and suspension is made up of coil springs in front with leaf springs in back.

Drive-Ability
The dash and engine sound are familiar to we S10 owners, and the raw interior gives us a Streets of Fire vibe while the outside is a bit Mad Max. Whatever movie we're in, the car gets around the test loop with typical S10 V6 power, which is decent, and the car tracks straight and stops on demand. We note the wipers and heater blower are not working but all other functions available for the driver operate 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.

Amazingly, this is only the second Starlite we've represented at the mall. Maybe it shouldn't be a surprise as only 14,000 were produced in 1951. We'd love to see more as these are incredibly unique cars, and even in rough, unfinished condition it's a desirable model. Here's one that's ready for your ingenuity and it doesn't take much imagination to see how cool this car could be.

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!