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1955 Studebaker Champion De Luxe Starlight

1955 Studebaker Champion in The California Kid, Movie made for TV, 1974 IMDB

Class: Cars, Coupé — Model origin: US

1955 Studebaker Champion De Luxe Starlight

[*] Background vehicle

Comments about this vehicle

AuthorMessage

Commander 57 US

2010-02-15 17:43

Regal Starlite Coupe but rear fender ornament is missing so cannot tell if Champion or Commander.

Michael SE

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.

Commander 57 US

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

Michael SE

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.

Commander 57 US

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.

CougarTim US

2019-04-20 21:54

Black 1957 Lincoln on the left, red 1955 Mercury on the right.

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