DESCRIPTION

Studebaker Champion Starlight Coupe

Studebaker joins the Oxford 1:87 scale series with a 1950s version of a car that had been launched in 1939, was halted in 1942 and and re-emerged after the war, going on until the mid 1950s. Oxford is pleased to introduce the Studebaker Champion Starlight Coupé as it hit the road in 1950.

Its background had been chequered with Studebaker in receivership in 1933 but revitalised by the time their new Champion branded model was launched in 1939. Produced by the Studebaker Corporation of South Bend, Indiana, the brand lasted until 1958 and was popular because of its low price, durable engine and styling. It proved an outstanding success. Moving on, in 1946, Studebaker announced an all-new design by two designers at the forefront of the industry, Virgil Exner and Raymond Loewy, who had already been responsible for the existing Champion ponton styling. 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 ‘greenhouse’ window. In 1950, the company introduced another revolutionary style – the ‘Bullet Nose’ Studebaker that had clearly been influenced by the ‘Jet Age’ aircraft of the era. This version of the Champion comprised a three-window coupé powered by the 1696cu in (2.8 litre) 85bhp side valve six-cylinder engine with a column shift manual transmission. The Studebaker Champion Starlight Coupé was born.

In a pale cream colour scheme on a black chassis and a grey-beige interior with black dashboard and steering wheel. The external trim is mainly silver with black and silver grille intakes with chrome surround. The elaborate bullet nose is also silver and black as is the bonnet emblem. Note too, the colourful Studebaker badge and the Champion name on the central edge of the bonnet. Whitewall tyres with chrome hub caps complete the picture.

This model is registered NY 50 2B78.90.