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Car Forum / Antique and Collectibles / Studebaker / March 200554 Champion Coupe
I'm looking for everyone's advise on this one? A few years ago, I did some mechanical work for a fella on his Champion Coupe. At that time, it was a decent 20 footer, and ran really cherry. He passed away about 3 years ago and I've not seen the car since, until this afternoon. It now resides in the back row of a local used car lot. I was appauled at how it has deteriorated in just 3 years. The fenders had been worked along the normal stripe behind the vent doors from top to bottom. They are now cracking and bubbling out. Rust has returned. There is bubbling in the rockers, door bottom and the bottom of the rear quarter panels. There is bubbling on the front of the hood. There is some rust out underneath in the rear along the trunk floor seams. The paint is shot, Red, faded, oxidized, peeling, cracking all over. The right side door and quarter window glass is broken, the driver side is fogged. Windshield and back glass are still good. Steering wheel is hopeless. Interior upholstry is still rather nice, having been done about 5 years ago. Bumpers are showing rust and the grills and tail light housings are pitting (1 is broken). It has Ford chrome spoke rims on it now with spacers behind them and the tires show where it has been sitting in the mud and grass flat for quit a while. Of course, the tires are rotten, too. I noticed that a couple of the lug studs were missing and at least one other was missing the lug bolt. The last time I saw the car, it ran like a bat out you know where. We did some tweaking with some of Bill Cathcart's little goodies (high compression head, dual 1 bbl carbs, headers). With these little goodies added, the little six with overdrive performed beyond my wildest expectations. Now, it doesn't run and the fella isn't even sure if it will. Someone tried to install an 8 volt battery and did something wrong, as some of the harness is now burnt to a crisp. It is the low end coupe with none of the chrome belt line moulding, or any of the chrome door mouldings, no cowl mouldings, either. Has a heater. Out side of that, she is about as plan Jane as it gets. I fell in love with this car while working on it. Shortly afterwards, the fella had the first of several heart attacks, that eventually killed him. He offered it to me at that time, for $3k, but I didn't want to take advantage of the situation, as I knew the man loved the car and needed something to hold onto to keep going. She has come my way again, albeit in terrible condition, and I'm thinking seriously about acquiring her. My question to you folks is this. What would you give for the car, given the above description? Bo I forgot to mention that the front end needs rebuilding and the brakes. The present owner said he had to work the thing back and forth until the drums freed themselves and it would roll. Bo well Bo, it sounds like a real schittbox to me, so let's say 3400 lbs. at scrap value ($2.50 per hundred at the shredder) = $85.00 and being the good guy you are offer him an even $100.00 and you remove it. Calvin, You really think it's worth this? Give me the benefit of your reasoning, please? If it were a Commander would there be a difference? I've been watching some of the incredible buying that's been going on lately and this baffles me. About 2 weeks ago, a friend of mine sold a 53 Commander Coupe in far worse condition (restoration wise) for $3,500.00. That one had a few dabbs of the original paint left, but was mostly surface rust, not running in 30 years, stored outside, typical rust in fenders, needing just about everything, including a total restoration. What gives? Bo Bo, go re-read you discription of the car, yes it does cast a shadow, but you can't polish a turd. rusty is rusty. I understand what your saying here Calvin, and I agree. But, I've seen some stuff pass hands on Ebay and else where, (in about the same condition, or some worse and without engines, transmissions and missing pieces), stuff that I wouldn't give $50.00 for go for more money then I thought any idiot would possibly consider paying. Yet, when ask, the answer is 1. They don't make them anymore. 2. When's the last time you saw one. 3. They're as scarce as hens teeth. On and on and on. There was a car recently on Ebay that someone gave a warning about it being rust bucket underneath. I believe that car sold for some serious bucks, or the bidding reached some serious bucks, or something like that. We are definately in a sellers market at the moment and prices are going through the roof. But, like you say a polished turd is still a turd. Bo > Bo, go re-read you discription of the car, yes it does cast a shadow, > but you can't polish a turd. rusty is rusty. Does the engine still have the Cathcart stuff? If so, it alone would be worth something wouldn't it? Joe Roberts Yes, the head, intake, exhaust and carbs are still there. I'm keeping these items in mind in trying to come up with a price. Bo Them ignore the car and just bid on the value of the parts you want. |
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