When Studebaker pulled the wraps off its “Spinner Grille” models at the end of 1949, people floked from miles around to see the new space-age cars in dealerships.
The company was already renowned for being different, but its new generation of cars with aircraft-inspired aerodynamics and styling were like nothing seen before – or since.
All were incredible, but the Champion Business Coupé took oddball to new levels, with a smart two-seater cabin and a huge, low-slung rear end that would convert into a bed – ideal for the business traveller who didn’t want the expense of a roadside motel. It’s fabulously weird and absolutely incredible to look at – almost 19 feet long, and nearly seven feet wide. This is a car that will turn every head.
There’s loads of fascinating stuff provided with this car, including photos of its previous owner with the car in the USA (when it was painted blue) and a full photographic record of its bare metal rebuild, carried out by customising supremo Andy Saunders in 2007. He imported the car himself as he’d always adored them, and has done a brilliant job of making it look as good as it does today.
He kept the car until 2020, using it sparingly but regularly.
It also comes with a folder full of old paperwork including its US ‘pink slip’ registration document and certificate from the New Jersey Department of Motor Vehicles.
The car was titled new in Keansburg, New Jersey August 29th 1950 to Mr Joseph Palisciano. The original certificate of title, certificate number 1708766 is in the document file. Other old USA documents point to it always being in the New Jersey area with 2 other names and addresses on file. Parts availability is still relatively good with plenty of USA Studebaker specialists and an excellent UK owners club.ygSxpcyBvKl104ekM9nmeuGVnLTHfVI9tUdTcHnE.jpeg566.3 KB
The Interior
Coffee-coloured leather bench seat
Integrated radio
Stylised dials
Original jack, toolkit and some spares
The cabin is just as glorious as the outside, with acres of space behind the metal-painted dash and some gorgeous stylised features, such as the delicate art deco dials and integrated radio.
Aside from a crack in the Bakelite steering wheel, the interior is in perfect order and is exceptionally comfortable and spacious, while the load bay is over six-feet long – it genuinely was used for sleeping in by travelling salesmen!0mZHjznCyrQkOmwUVflTnSwKIuTDuPRUr7ghGdnd.jpeg1.02 MB
The Exterior
Fully restored and repainted
Out-of-this-world styling
Whitewall tyres
Excellent chrome and trim
The Studebaker underwent a comprehensive restoration in 2007 and presents just as well today, with a flawless paint finish and good, well-preserved chrome and trim.
The whitewall tyres are in good order and it looks incredible from any angle, especially that “Spinner Grille”, which looks like an aeroplane nose cone – plus, you certainly won’t see another one coming the other way. 3zNBy2Tjp84JaZnKMJJDUF1E98ihGysgCMMLIRt6.jpeg1.35 MB
The Mechanics
Clutch-operated starter
Runs and drives well
Column change manual gearbox
The Studebaker has a fascinating starting system that will fool any potential car thief. Once you’ve switched on the electrics, you need to press the clutch pedal all the way to the floor firmly for it to fire into life.
Once running, it idles smoothly and engages all gears as it should. Despite its size, visibility is good and it’s surprisingly easy to place on the road. The vendor reports that it drives very well indeed. 22C8BI4TCh6QwkDm5amoKYGa51siH7SQYU0jxaZt.jpeg1.07 MB
Summary
If you want something unique and completely different then this is it – an absolutely fabulous car that’s massively different from the norm and which turns heads wherever it goes thanks to its otherworldly styling. It’s a beautiful thing in incredible condition throughout.
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