1950 STUDEBAKER COMMANDER STARLIGHT COUPE - ORIGINAL - PROJECT CONDITION

Studebaker 1950 Description

This is a 1950 bullet nose Studebaker Commander Starlight Coupe. This car needs restoration and an engine. but otherwise it's mostly complete and everything is original. Even the paint is original. It has been in California all of its life and has no under carriage rust or damage. This car is straight and has never been in an accident. The full size Commander was produced in much lower quantity than Champion models. and the Starlight Coupe wrap around roof is rare and desirable. This is arguably the most classic bullet nose model made. This car was built in Studebaker's Southern California plant and lived in the Los Angeles area. The car was driven locally by the original owner who always maintained and garaged it. It was serviced at Frost and French. the last Studebaker dealer in Los Angeles. In about 1973 the original owner's son obtained the car when it had 35. 00 miles and drove it for 2 years before I bought it. When I bought the car in 1975 it had about 36. 00 miles. and I drove it as a "hobby" car. The car remained garaged and driven regularly in the Los Angeles area for 3 years. Around 1978 I was told the head gasket was failing so I stopped driving the car. I was still in college at the time and couldn't afford to have it fixed properly so I more or less permanently garaged the car. The mileage at this time was almost 40. 00. To get it fixed I took on a partner who had better connections for access to tools and getting the engine repaired. The partner eventually talked me into pulling the engine to have it rebuilt while the car remained garaged. Due to a lack of funds. the engine rebuild was delayed and I moved to Central California. In 1984 my partner called to say I had to move the car. so I had the car transported to my location in Central California. It remained garaged until approximately 1995. Since then it has been mostly uncovered and exposed to the elements. hence the surface rust (previously there was none) and general deterioration of the interior. tires. etc. My friend never completed rebuilding the engine which was eventually "lost". I ended up having the complete car minus the engine. in my possession. It has been over 30 years since the car was last licensed. so registration records have lapsed and are no longer in the DMV database. I'm the sole owner and I'm in the process getting a new title and hope to have it in hand at the time of sale. This car originally had the "large" Studebaker in line six cylinder engine and has an original Borg Warner 2 speed automatic hill-holder transmission. The transmission was working fine when the engine was removed. but now years later its condition is unknown. The tires are disintegrating due to age. but otherwise the car is in good rolling condition. Some of the glass has been broken by kids with bb guns (both of the flat roll-down windows in the doors. one flat wind wing. the tail lights and one of the front turn signals). Fortunately all of the rear curved or non-flat pieces are fine. and the broken glass is relatively replaceable. Spare/replacement tail light covers and the front turn signal cover are readily available. I always dreamed of restoring this so I could drive around and blow a few minds again;-) This car has ALWAYS gotten attention. I have some photos of me with the car from the seventies when I used to drive it around the LA area. I'm sure the new owner will turn quite a few heads when this Starlight Coupe gets back on the road. This is a great opportunity to restore an incredible and special project car. Happy bidding! It's the buyer's responsibility to have the car picked up at its location about an hour from Fresno. CA. If you don't have the ability to transport it. I'm happy to assist in helping with arrangements for moving the car via another party. but this is ultimately the buyer's responsibility. I'm prepared to help the buyer locate a reliable and reputable transport service and I'd be willing to see that the car is properly prepared and loaded when it is picked up. I have no interest in profiting from moving the car and I just want to help the new owner receive it with the least expense. I'm conscientious and have excellent feedback. and want the buyer to be happy with this transaction.