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.