Class: Cars, Coupé — Model origin:
Background vehicle
Author | Message |
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◊ 2010-02-15 17:43 |
Regal Starlite Coupe but rear fender ornament is missing so cannot tell if Champion or Commander. |
◊ 2010-08-19 13:07 |
If modified this car could be any post Studebaker coupe 1953-61. Although if we assume that this car is unmodified. In that case it could only be a 1955 Champion DeLuxe coupe. The 55 Champion DeLuxe was the only coupe which had no side trim (except for thin bright work around the side window section). (The 55 Commander DeLuxe only had an added Commander script under the read side windows) The Regal ofcourse carried the "butter knife" side trim Since this car appears to have the 1955-56 type of tail lights and rear bumper is't most likely a 1955 Champion DeLuxe coupe. |
◊ 2010-08-19 17:39 |
My February comment was placed before I did the extensive research on post war Studebaker models. I agree with Michael that this is a '55 Champion Deluxe. Yes, the Commander had a nameplate below the rear side window while the Champion did not. However, neither the Champion nor Commander Deluxe coupes had side trim. Both the Regal trimmed Commanders and Champions did, however. (The "Custom" trimed models did not come as a coupe or hardtop). There WAS side trim on both Champion Deluxe and Commander Deluxe SEDANS. My Feb comment about lack of a side ornament was placed because I assumed this was a '53 or '54, with Commanders having a V-8 emblem while Champions have the circle-S design on the rear fenders. I based this on no visible evidence of extruded taillamp lenses. I now note that the lenses appear to be missing altogether. In addition, the rear bumper appears to be of the larger '55 style and I can just see the wrap around chrome present under the '55's headlamps. -- Last edit: 2010-08-19 17:40:13 |
◊ 2010-08-19 22:09 |
No worries, Commander 57... Yes, you're right Sedans did have side trim. I'm not that good on sedans, coupes are my specialty. Since this movie was shot in 1974 much may have happened to this particular car. Many 1953-54s had their V8 or Champion S emblems removed along with all the emblems on the hood and trunk. And since so many things on 1953-61 coupes are interchangable the owner may build whatever car he'd like. |
◊ 2010-08-19 22:27 |
Quite true. And it makes identification difficult, doesn't it since so much can depend on trim items for these models. |
◊ 2019-04-20 21:54 |
Black 1957 Lincoln on the left, red 1955 Mercury on the right. |