Highlights
- Near-completed restoration with only light work required
- Incredible Raymond Loewy design
- Reupholstered and repainted to a high standard
- Portuguese title, legible for registration in any EU country
- Currently based in Madrid, Spain
The Appeal
When it comes to sheer charisma, Studebaker’s trendsetting, book-rewriting designs may well be some of the most important in American motoring. The Studebaker Champion is a particularly stylish car - but there’s none we favour more than the 1950-1952 models, with their distinctive ‘Spinner’ grille - a retro-futurist masterpiece that turned heads and raised eyebrows. While short lived, it’s still a highly enduring icon of the brand’s legendary taste for something different.
This example, registered in Portugal since 1951, comes to use following a near-completed restoration. A few more bits of work are required before the car is ready to return to the road, but don’t let that fool you - mechanically and cosmetically, it’s an impressive opportunity.
The History and Paperwork
- Registered in Portugal in 1951
- Still carries Portuguese title, with handwritten document
- Sadly we don’t know much about the car’s history
- A couple of years ago, the owner embarked upon a restoration
- This included preparing to add electric door motors - hence the removed handles
- This is still yet to be carried out through the motor kit is provided with the sale
- Always kept indoors and maintained well, particularly treated by the Spanish climate
- The car currently indicates 89,672 miles on a five-figure odometer
- Sadly this can’t be verified due to a lack of paperwork
The Interior
- Restored interior, with some light work still required
- Impressive period styling with bench seats and a painted dashboard
- Art-deco styled instruments set a beguiling period tone
- Restoration included retrimming and carpeting
- As a result, these are in utter superb fettle with no rips or tears
- This includes the door cards, which lack any signs of wear
- Dashboard has been repainted with some patina to the chromework
- Instruments are clean and easy to read with all tactile switches reportedly working
- Steering wheel includes a somewhat anachronistic addition of a frame-design sticker
- Headlining has some wear and creasing
- Boot is solid with firm metal floors and no perforating corrosion
- The car has been prepared for the installation of remote-control door motors
- These haven’t yet been fitted, but are included in the sale
The Exterior
- Highly impressive Raymond Loewy design with curvy panels and ‘Spinner’ grille
- Deep blue paintwork, recently resprayed
- Plenty of chromework with a light patina
- Some wear to the chrome with the occasional fitting screw or mount
- Glasswork in fair order with some light marking
- Some scuffs and what appears to be a hairline crack to the rear lenses
- Spinner grille in great order
- The door has hand its handles removed, due to the intention for the car to have door motors
- As a result, to open the car, you have to do so through the vent windows
- The original door handles are provided with the sale
- The car is sitting on its original period wheels which look in good order
- The car is shod in a set of Michelin tyres
- Underneath, the car has some light surface corrosion and wear, though very insignificant
The Mechanics
- Powered by a 2.8L I6 powerplant
- Borg-Warner automatic transmission
- Engine bay is in very good order
- We understand that the engine has been restored and rebuilt
- Car is reportedly starting first time with no faults
- Petrol tank has been cleaned and treated
- Car has been tuned and is in fine working order
- No reported issues with how the car is driving
Summary
Beautifully designed, charismatic and well-presented, this largely restored motor is a great opportunity - with only minor investment required to put it to rights and get it ready for the road.
Notice to bidders
This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only. Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.
A non-refundable buyer’s deposit is payable on this item, refer to FAQs and T&Cs for the applicable percentage.
All bidding, buying and offers are subject to our Terms and Conditions.
Shipping and transfer
Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased. Car & Classic may refer a shipping company that also deals with import/export paperwork. Prices start at €150+VAT within the same country or €400+VAT for moves across borders. For more details, email [email protected].
