Description

1950 Studebaker Champion 3 Business Coupe

Super rare and super rad Business coupe with bench front seat, 6-pot flathead with 3-on-a-tree tranny, in super condition

This incredible coupe dates from 1950 and features a 170cui (2.8 litre) six-cylinder flat-head engine with 6 volt positive earth electrics and 3-speed 'on the tree' column shift with clutch pedal start (yes, you read that correctly).

An ultra rare variant, the 'Studebaker Champion' 3 passenger business coupe of which only 1,562 were believed to have been manufactured in 1950 and is in Q4 spec, known as the 'Custom' carrying, when new, a price tag of $1,419. The more common 5 passenger Champion coupe had rear seats and a wrap around rear windsheild as opposed to this Business coupe with single window and central split and its famously long rear boot lid and probably, largest boot in history.

Featuring the iconic ''Bullet Nose" front end and rear fins, this style was part of Studebaker's 'New Look' for the early 50's and was far more successful than they had expected, selling a record 343,164 cars in 1950 with factories in Indiana, Southern California and Ontario at full capacity to keep up with demand.

The car was titled new in the States in Keansburg, New Jersey in August 1950 to a Mr Joseph Palisciano (great name) with this original Title on file along with two other US owners also of New Jersey also on file.  The glovebox of the car has retained the original data sheet which is super to find.

To start the car, one turns the ignition on and depresses and holds the clutch activating a starter button - it takes a little practice but who doesnt love an idiosyncrasy like that!
Imported from the USA in 2007 by custom car guru Andy Saunders, comprehensive restoration was carried out by the first of just two UK owners who was lucky enough to own the car for 13 years. There is a thick and well presented photo album on file documenting the bare metal restoration and repaint.

The history file also includes the V5C, old style V5C, copy article from Classic-American magazine on this car post restoration, HPI check, old tax discs, UK Studebaker club mag, period Autocar mag from 1952 and American Car Club of Uk magazine. The car comes with its original U.S Title, old bills from the mid '70s, U.S insurance ID cards from the mid '70s, DVLA registration application correspondance and a vehicle valuation post restoration dated March 2007 at £17,000 by F.G Bethell & Son of Blandford Forum who carried out the restoration on behalf of the former owner. There is also a Studebaker parts catalogue, model history print-out and invoices relating to the restoration including a wiring harness, interior door panel, ignition parts, gaskets, seals, bumpers, light lenses totalling c.£1,500.

A huge opportunity to buy an excedingly rare coupe in superb restored order ready to enjoy.

For more information contact - [email protected]