1950 Champion Regal Deluxe

[Cstorms423]

My father put a Studebaker in storage back in 1980, then over the years proceeded to tell the grandkids about having a car in storage but forgot where and who he stored it with here in town. This past April, 36 years later, the person he stored it with (who also didn't realize it was still stored in his building) found my parents through a previous business they owned to let them know the car was still there. We pulled the car out of the storage building in May and are now looking to get some idea of it's value. It is not a car that my parents (my father is in his 80's) or any of us kids will be keeping, the story of it through the years is what we remember of it. He bought it and then stored it so it was not a car he drove or we rode in and have an attachment to. It's not a perfect vehicle but for sitting 36 years under a lot of dust and dirt it's not too shabby. We had to get a replacement title for it since Dad could not find it, nor was he able to find the keys for it so we don't have those. Based on the numbers on the engine firewall we were able to confirm it being the 1950 Champion Regal Deluxe. Any feedback on this would be appreciated. I've attached some pictures when it was in the storage building and after we got it out and sprayed it off with the water hose to get the grime off. Everything appears intact on it, other than all the tires flat and some other minor scratches, one wing window cracked, etc. It's not been started by us or anything since we don't have the keys, but we do know the engine is not seized in it. I have lots more pics to share if it helps. Thank you.

Cathie

[tim333]

I was very interested until I saw the last photo with evidence of mice nesting on the floor at the base of the rear cushion. I'm just not up to dealing with rodent pee smell. Been there, done that. Sorry.

[Lothar]

You have the EXACT year and model that I have. It is notable as the absolute highest production model in the highest production year for Studebaker. It represents the company's high water mark in terms of sales. That said, any Studebaker is rare compared to about any big three production model. The 1947-52 four door sedans are enjoyed by many of us because they are distinctively styled and simple to work on and relatively cheap to restore and maintain. Your car looks pretty solid, but it isn't all original. The seats appear to have been reupholstered, and I would guess it was repainted at some point as well. It will need quite a bit of mechanical work to be driveable (don't try to start it without some serious prep work). If you want to work on it, see the article on the Studebaker Drivers Club website "Resources" section titled "Things to do after you bought that Studebaker." My best guess about its value as is= $2000-4000. Restoring it to "daily driver" condition would cost about the same amount, if you do most of the work yourself. A good daily driver is worth about $8000 to $10,000. Good luck selling it. I hope that it goes to a good home, since you don't seem interested in it.

[Cstorms423]

Thanks for the information John. The seats are covered, the original is underneath still. We can tell because one of the covers are split slightly on the one side and you can see the original material through it. My husband was pretty sure it had been repainted since the seat covers were the same color and he didn't think that was really an original color for that time. It's been a very cool thing for us to finally see this car my Dad has talked about all these years. He couldn't ever really remember the kind of car so we didn't know what we were expecting. We found the Studebaker dealership license plate topper and some maintenance cards in the trunk so those were some cool finds also. A very interesting story for our family. We'll make sure it goes to a good home.

- - - Updated - - -

Understood, thank you.

[TWChamp]

If I didn't already have so many I'd also be interested in it. I'd lift the seat bottoms and get rid of any mouse nests and droppings. Thoroughly vacuum the interior and trunk, and be careful to not breath any of that mouse crap dust. I'd clean the car well and oil the hood cable, hinges, door hinges, etc. Blow off the dirt on top of the engine and around the spark plugs, then remove the plugs and pour a few tablespoons of oil down each plug hole. Spin the engine, then reinstall the plugs. You can always hotwire the battery to the coil to start it and hear it run. Be sure it's got antifreeze and run it for 30 minutes at least. A 10 minute engine run is a good way to lock up an engine that sets for 6 months or longer. That's how I locked up my 63 Lark engine in the late 70's. I also put the value at about $2000 to $3000, but hearing the engine run would be a good selling point, as well as a good title in hand. Also air up the tires or replace them if they don't hold air. I've found cheap good tires on Craigslist for my cars.

[Cstorms423]

Thanks for the information TWChamp.