1953 Studebaker Champion Starlight Coupé

• Iconic example of 1950s American automotive styling
• Specially prepared Chrysler Hemi V8 engine
• Four-speed manual gearbox
• Present ownership since 2019

"Probably the outstanding American automotive design of the '50s, certainly one of the all-time greats." - Richard M Langworth, Complete Book Of Collectible Cars.

In receivership in 1933, Studebaker had been revitalised by 1939 and in May 1946 became the first major American manufacturer to announce an all-new design with the introduction of its 1947 range. Created by two of the greatest automobile stylists of all time - Raymond Loewy and Virgil Exner - the sensational new Studebakers featured a straight-through front wing line, lowered bonnets and, in the case of the Starlight coupé, an astonishing wrap-around rear window. For 1950 the company introduced another landmark of automotive styling in the form of the 'Bullet Nose' Studebakers that had clearly been influenced by the coming of the 'Jet Age'.

Bodies were all new for 1953 and this style would see Studebaker through to the introduction of its 1956 range. Without question the outstanding designs in the line-up were the Starliner hardtop and Starlight coupé, both the work of Robert E Bourke, chief of the Loewy studio. The '53 Champions were powered by a 169.6ci (2.8-litre) inline six-cylinder engine which, although less powerful than the V8 found in the Commander series, was lighter, resulting in a better balanced car. Three Champion series were offered in 1953: Custom, Deluxe and Regal in ascending order of equipment and expense, the Starlight coupé being available on the latter two only.

In the current ownership since 2019 and registered in the UK in January 2020, this 1953 Studebaker Champion Starlight coupé features a 1956 Chrysler Imperial 354ci (5.8-litre) Hemi engine built by the legendary Hemi engine guru, Gene Adams. Gene, having 50-plus years of championship-winning and record-setting experience under his belt, applied this knowledge in combination with modern technology to build this very special Hemi engine. The latter features Egge pistons; 2.062" intake and 1.8" exhaust valves; Engle camshaft; Cox pulley drives; Vertex magneto; twin AFB carburettors; Hayes flywheel; polished cylinder heads and block coated with DuPont Star Metallic and clear coat; billet valve covers; billet ignition wire covers; and a Sanderson Hemi Hugger exhaust system. A Lakewood bell-housing mates the engine to a Borg Warner four-speed manual gearbox. Other notable features include rack-and-pinion steering; disc brakes; 9" Ford rear end; Carrera coil-over shock absorbers; new reproduction fuel tank; custom fabricated billet grille bars; and a Fat Man front clip. The replacement dashboard, including speedometer, was sourced from a 1956 Studebaker Hawk. There is an engine build file and related correspondence with the car, which also comes with a V5C Registration Certificate.