Lot 14
1952 Studebaker Champion Coupe
OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE

170 cid L-head inline six-cylinder engine, 85 HP, three-speed manual column shift transmission; wheelbase: 113”


Studebaker first came onto the automotive manufacturing scene in 1902 and was unlike almost everyone in the market at that time. Established in South Bend, Indiana the Studebaker brothers first started producing a battery-powered electric car that was offered in a variety of body styles and mimicked the bodies of the old school style passenger carriages. By 1904, Studebaker needed to switch its business plan, so the decision was made to start producing gas powered vehicles. While the first complete Studebaker build did not roll off the line until 1912, the company would prove for many years to come that their automobiles were not only innovative in their futuristic designs but were also very well-built and completely reliable vehicles. To celebrate their 100th anniversary in 1952, the Studebaker Automobile Company planned to build an all-new vehicle, but due to growing tensions and conflicts of the Korean War they kept with the same model style as the 1947 year. The third generation Studebakers lasted from 1947 through 1952 and got rid of the bullet-nosed design. The front end was smoothed out and featured a six-toothed grille, while the rear end kept the unique wraparound glass and boattail rear trunk styling that many have come to love.

Seen as Studebaker’s 100th anniversary car comes this delightful 1952 Studebaker Champion Coupe. This ’52 would make for an excellent collector car driver or an ideal candidate for a restoration. The body appears to have been resprayed at some point in Tahoe Green and all the chrome work is intact. Its charming patina showing, this Studebaker Champion is sure to draw attention with its unique and innovative styling. The interior is also showing an authentic, used, patina giving it character. The 170-cubic-inch L-head inline six and three-speed manual column shift transmission are in well-working order, making it a good driver quality car. Showing 49,076 miles on the odometer, this 1952 Studebaker Champion still has many more rides and smiles to give out in its lifetime.