“The Studester” Custom Heading to Barrett-Jackson Auction

Pictures; Barrett-Jackson

Studebaker is one of the many, many car companies in American history that may have been just a little too far ahead of its time. As a result, Studebaker folded, and most Americans today probably haven’t even heard of them. Yet they have a small but devoted following, and while it may be hard to find aftermarket support for an old Studebaker like the Champion, a popular if underwhelming coupe that came with an anemic six-cylinder engine.

This completely customized 1953 Champion bears little resemblance to the factory model. Customized from front to back, the “Studester” as it is called is heading to auction next weekend at Barrett-Jackson.

What started as a stock body has been shortened 20-inches, with the front fenders extended, a Porsche windshield, a shaved trunk lid, filled-in vents and much, much, much more. The interior has recieved just as much, if not more attention, with a custom dashboard, steering wheel, seats, center console, so on and so forth. For all intents and purposes, they could have built this car from the ground up.

And you better believe there isn’t any lazy six-cylinder under the hood. Nope, rather its a 523 cubic-inch Ford big block, backed by a beefy C6 and a Ford 9-inch rear end. The ad doesn’t throw any horsepower numbers around, but it the engine is built to run on pump gas…so figure its safe to assume at least 500 horsepower, and a bit more torque.