1953 Studebaker

Champion Coupe

8 - Cyl.

Automatic

G1270410

Clear

Gasoline

"THE ULTIMATE STUDEBAKER" is a modified 1953 Studebaker Starlight Coupe. This is the car that was featured in the December, 2003 issue of TURNING WHEELS, the official publication of the Studebaker Drivers Club. It was created by combining the sleek body of the '53 Coupe with the mechanical components of a 1963 Studebaker Gran Turismo Hawk. Both cars were disassembled, the needed parts detailed and/or rebuilt, and the car you see is what emerged. It has been driven approximately 5900 miles since it was created. The '53 body had most of the chrome and stainless removed. It was nosed, shaved, and decked to achieve a clean, fast look. The body was prepped and then sprayed with GM "Light Sand Drift Metallic" basecoat/clear coat. The car is powered by a rebuilt Studebaker 289 V-8 bored .030 over. It has a 4 barrel intake with an Edelbrock 650 CFM carburetor, Avanti cast iron headers, and a Crane Cams electronic ignition. The transmission is a Borg-Warner Flight-O-Matic, rebuilt using heavy duty components. The rear axle is a 3:31 DANA. The car was designed to be a highway cruiser. The electrical system is entirely 12 volt, and all systems function properly. The doors and trunk open remotely with a keychain clicker. Two of these come with the vehicle. The interior door handles were left in place for ease of exit. The suspension system was completely rebuilt, as was the power steering system. A shock absorbing steering damper was also added. The front was lowered 2" for a fast looking stance, and features the GT Hawk heavy duty anti-sway bar. A Mustang anti-sway bar was custom fitted at the rear. As a result, the car corners exceptionally well. Brakes are from the GT Hawk, featuring power assisted factory disc brakes at the front, and large finned drums at the rear. The cooling system features a 4 row radiator, a custom shroud, and an electric fan. The exhaust system starts with Avanti headers and head pipes. When I built the vehicle, I installed flexible stainless steel tubing and Thrush mufflers as a temporary measure. It has worked so well and sounds so good that I've never changed it! The interior features a customized 1963 GT Hawk dash with brushed aluminum inserts. The gauge bezels have been painted black. The speedometer is aftermarket and has a trip odometer, and has been calibrated for accuracy. The clock has been converted to quartz movement and keeps perfect time. Other interior features include cruise control, power windows, air conditioning, a Grant leather steering wheel, 4 leather bucket seats (adjustable lumbar control and full reclining at front with lap and shoulder belts, seat belts at rear) a full length console with storage and a built-in cooler, and an in-dash JVC AM/FM/CD stereo with a remote 12 disc CD changer and 4 Pioneer speakers. The car is equipped with the original factory tinted glass. The car is a real head turner wherever it goes. It has often been mistaken for a Jaguar! The only clues to its true identity are subtle "S" logos on the wheels, steering wheel, and between the rear seats. IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A TRULY UNIQUE RIDE, DON'T LET THIS ONE PASS YOU BY! The vehicle is sold as-is, where is. Payment by Cashier' Check or PayPal is preferred. You will need to make arrangements for pick up or transportation. Montrose does have a regional airport, so it is possible to fly in to pick up the vehicle. I can store the car for up to 4 weeks after the sale is complete. Thank you for looking.