1951 Studebaker Champion Starlight Coupe

Starlight coupe

170 cubic inch

3 speed manual with overdrive

G898866

Clear

Gasoline

Studebaker's iconic Starlight Coupe. Designed by Robert Bourke, this postwar Studebaker caused quite a stir with its futuristic styling. The curved rear window styling, inspired by express passenger trains of the day, is iconic and unmistakable. It was a "Halo Car" for Studebaker, and the styling reached its pinnacle in 1950 and 51 with the Starlight roof and the Bullet nose. This example, from the final year of the Bullet nose, is a sweet little 1951 Champion Starlight Coupe. Delivered new in Tuscon, Arizona, we acquired it a few years back from its longtime (35 year) owner in Tucson. He had purchased it in 1975. As a result of living its entire life in the west (Arizona and California,) it is 100% rust free and has an outstanding rust free underbody and floors, including trunk floors. Those who know Studebakers realize this makes it a very singular example indeed. It arrived as an well kept older restoration. We did a considerable amount of upgrading, including: Complete New brakes ($500) New WW radial tires on refinished wheels ($1500) Complete new Rhode Island wiring harness - authentic and correct- professionally installed ($2000) Turn signals and emergency flashers added Rebuilt carburetor and fuel pump, as well as engine tune up. ($500) Replated front and rear bumpers and guards ($1200) Complete new Regal Deluxe interior by Rene Harger, including seats, door panels, kick panels. carpeting, headliner, sun visors and armrests. The entire interior was removed and the new professionally installed. It utilizes the red pinstriped fabric from SMS that took literally two years to obtain. The door window sills were refinished as well. It looks outstanding. ($4000) It starts easily even after sitting for weeks and sings smoothly. Runs and drives very well- no powerhouse but fun to drive. Overdrive is working. Clock and radio are inoperative, everything else working as far as we have discovered. Mileage shows 63606 could well be correct, it received minimal use since at least the '70s. Older paint in original Surf Gray but still shines quite well with some nicks and dings from time. Some very minor pitting on die cast headlamp rings and hood ornament. Rear plating and Stainless quite nice and bumpers and guards are show quality. Dash is extremely fine original with service reminder card still in place on glove box door. Quite a crowd pleaser and won second place at the Great Autos Concours in Palm Springs, October 2012. Brand new grille "bullet", hood badge and steering wheel center still in box to be installed. If you like these increasingly rare Starlight coupes, this is a tremendously honest and unmolested example with never a speck of rust (which is really rather rare among the species- take a look at the photos of the trunk floor and undercarriage.) You could take it further and repaint it for show or just tour with it and enjoy it as it is. The car is part of a private collection in Orange County, CA. It's hard to get a good look with eBay's 24 pictures, so click on the link following to view the album of 145 photos: View photos here: The Hagerty Collector Car Valuation Tool estimates the '51 Champion Starlight Regal Deluxe as follows: #1 condition at $31,400, a #2 at $19,800, #3 at $13,300, #4 at $6,800. We have priced the car between conditions 2 and 3 reflecting its many expensive and correct upgrades on what started out as a clean and rust free #3 car. It would be literally impossible to duplicate this car for our reserve price. We have placed a very reasonable reserve on the little Studie and would like to find it a good home. The car may be inspected near Costa Mesa, CA by appointment. We are generally unavailable on weekends. It has a clean and clear CA title and current CA plates. Port delivery for a European Buyer will run approximately $150. Please feel free to ask any questions prior to bidding. Remember that your bid is a commitment to purchase. Thanks for looking and happy bidding!