|
|
|
|
<< return to results
Studebaker's Starlight coupe was a unique 2-door body style offered from 1947 to 1952 in both its Champion and Commander model series. The Starlight body style was considered their halo car and was designated 5P (presumably Five Passenger to distinguish it from the three passenger Businessman's Coupe) by the independent Indiana automaker.
Unlike other pillared two-door sedans which use two side windows separated from the rear window by roof supports, designer Robert Bourke of Raymond Loewy's design team created a rounded (at the rear) roof with a wraparound window system that provided a panoramic effect, similar to a railroad observation car. The curved window was achieved with four fixed panels of glass. The roof was supported by two wide pillars (sometimes referred to as "C" pillars) immediately behind the doors and in front of the wraparound back window. Because of the wraparound rear window's effect on the entire presentation, the body style was named Starlight.
Critics of the radically styled models commented by asking the rhetorical question, "Which way is it going?" Even period radio personality Fred Allen would quip: 'Next year Studebaker is coming out with a model that you won't be able to tell if it is going sideways'. However, the car's unique profile provided the marque with an easily recognized model. While considered revolutionary, other United States automobile manufacturers failed to follow with other similarly styled cars and instead focused their attentions on developing pillarless hardtop models instead.
This one of a kind custom-built showpiece created from a first-year Champion Starlight was built for Ridler Award-winning builder, the late Tony Carlini. Dubbed 'Black Bart" (the four wheel version of Carlini's one-time line of custom show motorcycles), this unique creation was painstakingly built utilizing the finest craftsmanship and components available. Notably, the original steel body was completely restored and finished in a lustrous black, while inside the cabin's interior and trunk area are fully appointed in custom mocha leather throughout. For comfort and convenience, air conditioning with all polished components and a complete set of Auto Meter gauges are just some of the extras lavished on this car. Under the sleek hood resides a custom built, balanced, blueprinted and detailed 462ci Chevrolet big block. Coupled to GM's fabulous Turbo-Hydramatic 400 automatic transmission, power is then transferred to the rear wheels via a polished Currie 9 inch positraction differential with an easy cruising ratio of 3.25:1. Power, four-wheel disc brakes provide the stopping power, while power rack and pinion steering, a four-link suspension in the rear and many modern additions make this as good a driver as it is a looker.
Built primarily to take home "Best of Show" awards, the replacement cost for this exceptional hot rod would far exceed one quarter of a million dollars today.
<< return to results
Unlike other pillared two-door sedans which use two side windows separated from the rear window by roof supports, designer Robert Bourke of Raymond Loewy's design team created a rounded (at the rear) roof with a wraparound window system that provided a panoramic effect, similar to a railroad observation car. The curved window was achieved with four fixed panels of glass. The roof was supported by two wide pillars (sometimes referred to as "C" pillars) immediately behind the doors and in front of the wraparound back window. Because of the wraparound rear window's effect on the entire presentation, the body style was named Starlight.
Critics of the radically styled models commented by asking the rhetorical question, "Which way is it going?" Even period radio personality Fred Allen would quip: 'Next year Studebaker is coming out with a model that you won't be able to tell if it is going sideways'. However, the car's unique profile provided the marque with an easily recognized model. While considered revolutionary, other United States automobile manufacturers failed to follow with other similarly styled cars and instead focused their attentions on developing pillarless hardtop models instead.
This one of a kind custom-built showpiece created from a first-year Champion Starlight was built for Ridler Award-winning builder, the late Tony Carlini. Dubbed 'Black Bart" (the four wheel version of Carlini's one-time line of custom show motorcycles), this unique creation was painstakingly built utilizing the finest craftsmanship and components available. Notably, the original steel body was completely restored and finished in a lustrous black, while inside the cabin's interior and trunk area are fully appointed in custom mocha leather throughout. For comfort and convenience, air conditioning with all polished components and a complete set of Auto Meter gauges are just some of the extras lavished on this car. Under the sleek hood resides a custom built, balanced, blueprinted and detailed 462ci Chevrolet big block. Coupled to GM's fabulous Turbo-Hydramatic 400 automatic transmission, power is then transferred to the rear wheels via a polished Currie 9 inch positraction differential with an easy cruising ratio of 3.25:1. Power, four-wheel disc brakes provide the stopping power, while power rack and pinion steering, a four-link suspension in the rear and many modern additions make this as good a driver as it is a looker.
Built primarily to take home "Best of Show" awards, the replacement cost for this exceptional hot rod would far exceed one quarter of a million dollars today.
<< return to results
