Post-war America was an exciting place. A country enjoying unprecedented levels of wealth and innovation, the bigger-is-better ethos was becoming all-pervading when it came to consumer goods, and no industry demonstrated a keenness to feed this fervour more opulently than the automotive business. Cars of the late-1940s and early-1950s were large, luxurious, sumptuously appointed and extravagantly styled. And in amongst this maelstrom of creativity, Studebaker stood alone as purveyors of truly progressive and forward-thinking design.

The car we have here is a case in point. It’s a 1949 Starlight Coupe, a slinky 2-door model based on the platform of the full-size Champion 4-door saloon. The car’s signature feature is its wraparound rear window, the push-me-pull-you look accentuated by a long rear deck. Powered by a 169ci (2.8-litre) straight-six with three-on-the-tree, this model is a quintessential cruiser.

There’s a large history file, with evidence to suggest that the car was restored to show-standard in the States; it’s been in the UK since it was imported in 2003 (and registered in 2004), with that same owner keeping and maintaining it until now. Previously dwelling in Florida, the Studebaker has evidently lived a happy couple of decades in England, and today it’s a beautifully presented example of a rare and unusual car, that’s thoroughly pleasurable to drive.

If you want an interior with plenty of space, you want to get yourself a post-war American car. Incredible amounts of legroom and elbow-room in the front, while the rear passengers in a Starlight Coupe get a panoramic view of the surroundings, almost like riding in the Popemobile.

This Studebaker enjoys a pleasing fusion of luxury and minimalism, with tasteful chrome and faux-snakeskin complemented by art deco dials. The gauges all work, the windows wind up and down properly, it’s all doing what it should. There’s a period push-button radio, and popping open the glovebox reveals that the lid still bears the factory-applied maintenance instructions, which is a nice detail. 

There’s a little wear to the top corners of the front seats with a few small holes, but overall the cloth is in good condition and the seats are generously stuffed. The front seatbacks recline in that characteristic way that American classics do, pivoting toward the centre of the car, to allow access to an equally comfy rear bench.

Inside the boot it’s all tidy and solid, with the correct spare wheel and jack. Pleasingly, the boot is opened by lifting up half of the chrome moustache above the number plate – yet another fun detail in a car that’s richly studded with them.

The original 1949 colour charts can be found in the file, indicating that the name of this tasteful shade of paint is Tulip Cream No.2. And the car has weathered the decades magnificently, presenting as a solid and attractive thing today. 

This was from the era when American cars were made strong with thick steel (the weight of the bonnet is testament to this!), and the bodywork all looks to be straight and true, with a good paint finish and lovely chrome. The light lenses and window glass are in good order, and the colour-coded steel wheels wear chrome hubcaps and whitewall tyres.

Simplicity and strength were the watchwords for Studebakers’ running gear, and there’s no messing about with the Starlight Coupe: the torquey 2.8-litre straight-six is a smooth and willing unit, and the three-speed column-shift’s ratios suit it well. The car starts, idles and runs very happily, and it’s a pleasurable thing to cruise around in – it almost feels like a hydropneumatic Citroën in the way that chassis waft and wallow complement the squishy seats. 

Don’t treat it like a hot rod; this is a car built for moseying to the drive-in or the drive-thru with Chuck Berry on the radio. Our test-drive demonstrated that it would be well-suited to this sort of leisurely lifestyle – an enjoyable and comfortable car in which to watch the world go by.

Well, wouldn’t we all like to look this good in our seventies? 

This Starlight Coupe is ineffably stylish, a truly striking piece of design, and joyful to behold. Just ask every single person who walked past during our photoshoot who stopped to tell us how cool it was. And it’s got a charming history behind it, brought over from Florida by an enthusiast who then kept it as a faithful companion for nigh-on twenty years. 

A piece of automotive art that’s immensely pleasurable to drive, and you’re unlikely to happen across another – as far as we’re aware, this could be the only ’49 Starlight Coupe in the country. 

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.*