Some years ago I volunteered to be the '53 advisor on JP's website. Occasionally I still get questions. A couple weeks ago I got kind of a neat one from an older gent who was curious about '53 Champion gas mileage. He had seen one in '52 at an auto show when he was in the Army in France and had to have one. He bought a coupe when he returned to the US. He sent me this reminiscence today:
"Hi Paul:
Sorry that it has taken me so long to respond to your very imformative letter regarding gas milage for the 53 Studebakers Champions. I did indeed check out the articles that you mentioned and found all of them quite intresting. As I first mentioned that I saw the car at the 1952 Paris Auto show my memory recalls that it was what I called" Tomato Soup Red," and a hardtop. For no know reason when I returned to the States , I prefered the coupe styling. As just for comparising cars at that time I actually test drove a Chevy Corvette, powered by the six cylinder "Blue Flame" truck engine, and was unimpressed.
I receintly found the original order form for my Studebaker, from Brondes Motor Sales, Secor Rd. Toledo Ohio. Listed body type as Club Coupe Regal Champion. Extras and optional Equipment: Radio, heater,white walls and directional signals. Color was Tahoe Green, I had stated no black or red. When I went to pick up the car it was still on a lift and had slipped off one of the supports. There was my dream car listing to one side up about six feet in the air. Not a pleasant feeling, but she came down ok.The price tax was just under $1900.00 plus tax and title. Can't even purchase a parts car for that price today.
One of the special things that I had done to sort of set her apart was to have the radio antenna placed behind the rear window alongside the chrome fender trim, made it look sort of racy. As far as speed, I can remember late one Friday night on one of my many quick trips to Long Island to see a special gal friend, I was stopped by a Pennsy State trooper and questioned as to my speed. I replyed I wasn't sure and was questioned as to what engine was under the hood.I said a six and he made me open the hood. He couldn't believe that a six would push a car over eighty. He was quite impressed and had me follow him to the next rest stop and bought me coffee. Don't happen this day and age.After getting married in 56 my wife enjoyed the car as well, but as all things move forward the "Stude" was replaced with a 1958 Chevy Brookwood Station wagon with a full Corvette engine. This my wife enjoyed even more and loved to "dust off" the then younger hotrodders/
I could go on and on about cars and other stuff, including racing sportscars and up until 3 years ago antique "dirt track" midgets, but maybe another tim.
Once again thanks for your coresondence and friendship, along with Studebaker love."
In his earlier email he explained that his coupe had overdrive.
[img=right]http://www.frontiernet.net/~thejohnsons/Forum%20signature%20pix/R-4.JPG[/img=right][img=right]http://www.frontiernet.net/~thejohnsons/Forum%20signature%20pix/64L.JPG[/img=right][img=right]http://www.frontiernet.net/~thejohnsons/Forum%20signature%20pix/64P.jpg[/img=right][img=right]http://www.frontiernet.net/~thejohnsons/Forum%20signature%20pix/53K.jpg[/img=right]Paul Johnson, Wild and Wonderful West Virginia
'53 Commander Starliner (since 1966)
'64 Daytona Wagonaire (original owner)
'64 Daytona Convertible (2006)
Museum R-4 engine
1962 Gravely Model L (Studebaker-Packard serial plate)
1972 Gravely Model 430 (Studebaker name plate, Studebaker Onan engine)
"Hi Paul:
Sorry that it has taken me so long to respond to your very imformative letter regarding gas milage for the 53 Studebakers Champions. I did indeed check out the articles that you mentioned and found all of them quite intresting. As I first mentioned that I saw the car at the 1952 Paris Auto show my memory recalls that it was what I called" Tomato Soup Red," and a hardtop. For no know reason when I returned to the States , I prefered the coupe styling. As just for comparising cars at that time I actually test drove a Chevy Corvette, powered by the six cylinder "Blue Flame" truck engine, and was unimpressed.
I receintly found the original order form for my Studebaker, from Brondes Motor Sales, Secor Rd. Toledo Ohio. Listed body type as Club Coupe Regal Champion. Extras and optional Equipment: Radio, heater,white walls and directional signals. Color was Tahoe Green, I had stated no black or red. When I went to pick up the car it was still on a lift and had slipped off one of the supports. There was my dream car listing to one side up about six feet in the air. Not a pleasant feeling, but she came down ok.The price tax was just under $1900.00 plus tax and title. Can't even purchase a parts car for that price today.
One of the special things that I had done to sort of set her apart was to have the radio antenna placed behind the rear window alongside the chrome fender trim, made it look sort of racy. As far as speed, I can remember late one Friday night on one of my many quick trips to Long Island to see a special gal friend, I was stopped by a Pennsy State trooper and questioned as to my speed. I replyed I wasn't sure and was questioned as to what engine was under the hood.I said a six and he made me open the hood. He couldn't believe that a six would push a car over eighty. He was quite impressed and had me follow him to the next rest stop and bought me coffee. Don't happen this day and age.After getting married in 56 my wife enjoyed the car as well, but as all things move forward the "Stude" was replaced with a 1958 Chevy Brookwood Station wagon with a full Corvette engine. This my wife enjoyed even more and loved to "dust off" the then younger hotrodders/
I could go on and on about cars and other stuff, including racing sportscars and up until 3 years ago antique "dirt track" midgets, but maybe another tim.
Once again thanks for your coresondence and friendship, along with Studebaker love."
In his earlier email he explained that his coupe had overdrive.
[img=right]http://www.frontiernet.net/~thejohnsons/Forum%20signature%20pix/R-4.JPG[/img=right][img=right]http://www.frontiernet.net/~thejohnsons/Forum%20signature%20pix/64L.JPG[/img=right][img=right]http://www.frontiernet.net/~thejohnsons/Forum%20signature%20pix/64P.jpg[/img=right][img=right]http://www.frontiernet.net/~thejohnsons/Forum%20signature%20pix/53K.jpg[/img=right]Paul Johnson, Wild and Wonderful West Virginia
'53 Commander Starliner (since 1966)
'64 Daytona Wagonaire (original owner)
'64 Daytona Convertible (2006)
Museum R-4 engine
1962 Gravely Model L (Studebaker-Packard serial plate)
1972 Gravely Model 430 (Studebaker name plate, Studebaker Onan engine)
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