This 1954 Studebaker Champion (chassis G1314411) is a street-legal La Carrera Panamericana build that although is sold with a minimally descriptive ad, both looks to be impressively specced. Powered by a bored-out Stude 289 with upgraded internals, it nails the correct style right on the head and almost certainly cost much more to build than the current highest bid. Find it here on eBay in Pilot Hill, California with no reserve and fast bidding near $15k. Special thanks to BaT reader Justin C. for this submission!
Silver American Racing Halibrand replicas, red fender stripes, and Mobil pegasus decals look great, and details like the tucked side-exit rear quarter panel exhaust exits, trunk lid fuel filler cap and black plates are nicely done. The seller doesn’t mention if the car is a fresh build or if it has competed in the past.
No full-frame dash photos are provided, but we can see a serious looking full roll cage, Recaro buckets, RCI harnesses, a padded, removable NASCAR style steering wheel and an uninstalled Dakota Digital instrument cluster. We’d prefer either OEM or aftermarket analog gauges. A large fuel cell lives in the trunk.
Bored .060 over for about 300 cubic inches, the Studebaker 289 is a wonderful looking engine with its nailhead style, ribbed rocker covers, snorkel intake, and custom-built tubular headers. An R2 cam bumps R1 valvegear, pistons are 9.5:1 compression, and heads are big valve R3 items. A 600 CFM Edelbrock carb sits on top of an Offy intake, and the transmission is a rebuilt 4-speed. Tubular upper and lower control arms are matched with a manual steering rack, shocks are adjustable, leaf springs are heavy duty, and sway bars are found front and rear.
Other details include a ’57 Hawk frame chosen for its thicker steel as well as disc front and Hawk drum rear brakes. Dial it in and take it to Mexico, or just run it as a street car in the USA with the right kind of road-racing looks.