Futuristic Styling/259ci V8 Bored To 287ci/Spencer 4-2bbl Intake/Jeep Dana 44

1952 Studebaker Starlite

When you look at Studebaker's automotive history, you have to go back to the late 1800s. The company was founded in 1852, when the Studebaker brothers built their first two wagons for business owners and for traveling throughout the country. The initial Studebakers were covered wagons that helped build the American West. By 1860, Studebaker was producing thousands of covered wagons that most early settlers in America thoroughly enjoyed for traveling. The Studebaker Brothers Manufacturing Company called themselves “The World on Wheels” and made their first electric automobile in 1902, followed by their first gas-powered model two years later. By the 1920s, Studebaker was truly a top automotive brand. For example, the popular 1920 Studebaker Big Six model was a great looking automobile with a refined design. The 1930s and the Great Depression proved to be a difficult time for Studebaker, and the company had to declare bankruptcy in March 1933. Fortunately, the company was able to reorganize and continue to manufacture great looking automobiles. -Thx To Motorcities.org

For consignment, we usher in the 21st century with a beautifully restored and slightly hot rodded 1952 Studebaker Starlite. Dressed to the nines on the interior, beautiful paint, and a true monotone finish with body colored trimmings all drenched in Pale Yellow. This frame off restored example, owned by our consignor for the past 25 years, is striking and is ready to rocket you into the future of turning heads and winning trophies.

Exterior
Bathed in near perfect Pale Yellow, this paint accentuates the futuristic lines of this skate, including the gunner turret curved rear glass for rear panoramic views, this car announces you have arrived before you finish parking it. Gone was the "Bullet Nose" front end, and the now standard nose, shared with many models across the lineup, has headlights sunken into their bezels and flanking on either side of the near perfect body colored grille. All badging has been shaved and the holes filled leaving a smooth overall look, this car screams forward thinking design. Beautifully fine, Loewy was truly at the top of his game when he dreamed up this car's design. Black trimmings highlight the glass, including the rear turret windows and the only hints of chrome left are the door handles and small trunk mounted V8 emblem. American Racing Torque Thrust wheels in wonderful black and polished aluminum are wrapped by raised white letter Cooper Cobra radials on all 4 corners.

Interior
Slipping inside we are greeted with a shiny dash with 3 large and in charge gauges staring at you from behind the upgraded Avanti steering wheel. These gauges are deeply sunken into the body matching full metal jacket dash and are set off perfectly but the chrome and copper bezels. The chrome and copper trimming goes on and on for the dash as it stretches across the front bench, which is covered in very nice 2 tone gray and dark charcoal tweed. A rear bench mimics the front seat, and nicely preserved light gray carpet floods the floors underneath. The headliner is nice and tight and stain free. Glass door windows glide up and down nicely, and inside feels a bit futuristic overall.

Drivetrain
Under the bullet nose hood sits a 259 cubic inch V8 now bored out to a consignor stated 287ci and has been fitted with 3.75" pistons resulting in between 9 to 9.5:1 compression. An aluminum Spencer intake manifold holds atop 4 2bbl carburetors with louvered chrome air cleaner assemblies and a 3/4 grind camshaft has been installed. An aluminum bellhousing mates this mill to a manual transmission in 3 speed form. Out back, a Dana 44 axle courtesy of a Jeep whisks you down the interstate at cruising speed with ease.

Undercarriage
Rust free for the frame and flooring with only a minor spattering of patina and road dirt noted amongst the field of black steel. 4 wheel drum brakes are on to stop you on a dime and independent coil spring front suspension works hand in hand with leaf spring rear suspension to make you feel as if you're floating into space with this wonderful Stude, dude!

Driveability
This Stude starts right up and runs smooth as silk, albeit with a slight rumble from cam and other engine work. It provides a comfy ride with a total working and perfectly functioning example from 1952. A very well buttoned up example in great condition. Welcome to the future from 1952!

A beautiful example of a car nearly everyone saw on the road in the past that have now become rarities in the motoring world. This futuristic car with a big capacity was popular in the day and got good gas mileage to boot although at that time no one cared. Usage of interesting tactile and visually appealing fabrics and surfaces interior-wise, and an overall wonderful build makes for a turnkey 1952 Studebaker you could come in and buy, then step into the collector car spotlight...I mean Starlite.