Make: Studebaker

Model: Other

Type: Coupe

Seller Type: Private

Key Details

Seller : Digistat
Location : Dallas, TX 75252
Seller Type : Private

Build Sheet

VIN: G900762
350ci Chevy V8 engine (bored .030 over, forged pistons, 9.7:1 compression)
Holley HP full sequential MPFI with crank-trigger ignition
Trick Flow aluminum cylinder heads & stainless roller rockers
Phoenix Transmission 700R4 4-speed automatic with 2,500 stall converter
Narrowed 12-bolt Positraction rear end with Moser axles & 3.55:1 gears
1968 Camaro front subframe conversion with Global West A-arms & Ridetech adjustable shocks
Cal-Tracs rear traction bars, custom Panhard bar, & rear anti-sway bar
Hydroboost power 4-wheel disc brakes (SSBC front calipers / Wilwood rear)
AGR fast-ratio power steering system & Ididit tilt column
Old Air HVAC climate control & Nu-Relics power windows
Body-off restoration finished in 1996 Camaro Blue paint
MB Sprinter Van bucket seats with armrests, lumbar support, & custom upholstery
Full interior RAAM Audio insulation throughout cabin
AutoMeter gauge suite & Kenwood Bluetooth stereo setup
Rock Valley stainless steel fuel tank with Aeromotive PWM fuel controller
B&M adjustable transmission controller
Weld Rodlite wheels 15x7 (front)/15x10 (rear)
12-volt tire pump, tire repair kit, and maintenance battery charger included
Unique 38-year owner story (originally bought in 1965, sold in 1970, re-acquired in 1993)

Wrench Report

By Chris Esparza

RestoMods Head Mechanic. 20 year classic car mechanic & builder.

Driving a custom '51 Studebaker Starlight Coupe with over 50 years of personal history delivers an irreplaceable connection you can't buy off the shelf. Its blueprinted 350 V8 with sequential fuel injection and overdrive transmission makes long-distance highway cruising completely effortless. Upgraded with a Camaro subframe, modern suspension, and Hydroboost disc brakes, it handles like a modern performance machine while turning heads everywhere it goes.

Description

This 1951 Studebaker Champion Regal Starlight Coupe is a custom pro-touring restomod backed by an extraordinary 50-plus year history with its current owner. First purchased by the seller in North Hollywood in 1965 to drive to college and drag race across Southern California, the car was sold in 1970 when the owner went on active Navy duty. By pure fluke, 23 years later in 1993, the seller spotted his old car in an Auto Trader ad, bought it back, and towed it to Texas to begin a complete frame-off restomod transformation. Completed in 2012 with 13,400 miles driven since, this Studebaker features a blueprinted 350ci V8 with Holley HP sequential fuel injection, a custom-geared 700R4 automatic transmission, a 1968 Camaro front subframe, fast-ratio power steering, and Hydroboost four-wheel disc brakes. It is now offered with extensive build documentation and a clean title.

The bullet-nose body was removed from the frame and refinished in 1996 Camaro Blue paint by Steve Crowley Services. Exterior highlights include the signature four-piece wraparound rear window glass, a polished chrome rear bumper, bright nose cone trim, dual side mirrors, and new tinted front windshield and door glass.

The car rides on Weld Rodlite wheels measuring 15x7 in front and 15x10 in the rear. These are wrapped in BFG radial tires, 205/65R15 in front and 275/60R15 out back. Two extra 15x8 Weld Rodlite wheels could be included, if desired, as will a 12-volt tire pump and tire repair kit.

The cabin features modern MB Sprinter Van bucket seats customized by ASM Upholstery, complete with adjustable armrests, lumbar support, and full interior RAAM Audio sound insulation. Interior amenities include an Old Air climate control system, Nu-Relics power windows, cruise control, Newport Engineering intermittent two-speed wipers, a Kenwood Bluetooth stereo system linked to four speakers, 3-point seatbelts in front, and lap belts in the rear..

The interior also features an Ididit tilt steering column set ahead of a full suite of AutoMeter gauges integrated into the painted dashboard face. A B&M adjustable transmission controller manages the four-speed overdrive automatic.

The powertrain features a long list of components and modifications, outlined below:

Engine Block & Internal Components

Engine: 350ci Chevy V8 (machine work by Wayne Calvert Precision Engines)
Bores: Bored .030 over
Block: 4-bolt main block
Pistons: Forged pistons
Crankshaft: Forged crankshaft
Camshaft: Crane camshaft

Cylinder Heads: Trick Flow aluminum heads with stainless roller rockers

Induction, Fuel & Ignition Systems

Fuel Injection & Ignition: Holley HP full sequential MPFI with crank-trigger ignition
Fuel Tank & Pump: Rock Valley stainless steel fuel tank with an Aeromotive fuel pump
Fuel Controller: Pulse-width modulation (PWM) controller
Belt Drive: Alan Grove serpentine belt drive

Cooling & Exhaust Systems

Radiator: Brice-Thomas custom aluminum radiator
Fans: Dual PWM-controlled Spal fans
Headers: Doug Thorley headers
Mufflers & Piping: 3-inch Dynomax mufflers
Two electric exhaust cut outs with dash switch

Drivetrain & Driveline

Transmission: Phoenix Transmission-built 700R4 4-speed automatic
Torque Converter: 2,500-rpm stall converter
Driveshaft: Constant-velocity driveshaft
Rear End: Narrowed Camaro 12-bolt Positraction rear end
Axles & Gearing: Moser axles with 3.55:1 gears

The chassis pairs the original 1951 Studebaker frame with a 1968 Camaro front subframe, and a list of upgrades outlined below:

Front Suspension & Steering

A-Arms: Global West upper and lower A-arms
Anti-Sway Bar: Guldstrand anti-sway bar
Shocks: Ridetech adjustable shocks
Steering System: AGR fast-ratio power steering system

Rear Suspension

Springs: Studebaker leaf springs with Hellwig spring stiffeners
Traction & Alignment: Cal-Trac traction bars and a custom Panhard bar
Anti-Sway Bar: Rear anti-sway bar

Brake System

Power Assist & Master Cylinder: Hydroboost assistance with a Corvette master cylinder
Front Brakes: Stainless Steel Brake Corp aluminum calipers on Chevelle rotors
Rear Brakes: Wilwood rear calipers and rotors
Parking Brake: E-Stop electronic parking brake controller

Photo Gallery

Videos

Highest Bid

$32,000

Seller
Digistat
Highest Bidder
Amigaman1964
Total Bids
30 Bids
Total Views
6,866 Views
Total Saves
75 Saves

Watch

Support Contact Support

Final Sale Price

$32,000

SOLD

Seller
Digistat
Winning Bidder
Amigaman1964
Total Bids
30 Bids
Date Ended
October 1, 2026 1:01 PM PDT

Comments & Bid History

Commenting on this auction is now closed.

KELS Bidder • Oct 1, 1:38 pm PDT

That's a good deal for this car.. Congrats to the high bidder!

Amigaman1964 • Oct 1, 12:59 pm PDT Oct 1, 12:59 pm PDT

Ray1942 • Oct 1, 12:58 pm PDT Oct 1, 12:58 pm PDT

Amigaman1964 • Oct 1, 12:57 pm PDT Oct 1, 12:57 pm PDT

Mypantsrcuminoff Bidder • Oct 1, 12:53 pm PDT

How long do I have to pick it up after i pay for it. And what is payment method?

BuyTheCar Staff Oct 1, 12:58 pm PDT

https://community.buythecar.com/buyer-faq/

Digistat Seller • Oct 1, 10:59 am PDT

Reserve has been removed from this auction item!

Ray1942 • Oct 1, 10:36 am PDT Oct 1, 10:36 am PDT

americanflyer • Oct 1, 9:17 am PDT Oct 1, 9:17 am PDT

RTE66 • Oct 1, 7:17 am PDT Oct 1, 7:17 am PDT

Ray1942 • Oct 1, 7:12 am PDT Oct 1, 7:12 am PDT

Amigaman1964 • Oct 1, 6:23 am PDT Oct 1, 6:23 am PDT

nybluejeanhauler • Oct 1, 4:43 am PDT

Lots of Labor on this nice car! Looks like was done correctly!

Digistat Seller Oct 1, 6:14 am PDT

Thank you I did my best!

nybluejeanhauler Oct 1, 8:11 am PDT

Congrats, hope you get top dollar, wish I had the money but working on too many projects at the moment lol, always loved the bullet nose❣️

RTE66 • Sep 30, 12:03 pm PDT Sep 30, 12:03 pm PDT

Ray1942 • Sep 30, 6:37 am PDT Sep 30, 6:37 am PDT

RTE66 • Sep 29, 6:08 am PDT Sep 29, 6:08 am PDT

RTE66 Bidder • Sep 29, 6:08 am PDT

I want to be sure about the engine. It is an LS engine with a aluminum high rise manifold and a Holley EFI fuel system? Any idea of horse power? Thanks

Digistat Seller Sep 29, 7:24 am PDT

In the description it clearly states it is a 350 Chevy engine with a Holley HP EFI. It is not a LS. No high rise it does have a crank trigger ignition with coil near plugs. I never had it dynoed but estimate the horsepower at 350 to 375.

Digistat Seller Sep 29, 7:31 am PDT

Nowhere in the description does it state that the engine is a LS.

RTE66 Sep 29, 9:20 am PDT

OK Thanks. Seeing 8 coils on top of the valve covers threw me. I thought only LS engines were designed with separate coils for each cylinder. So this engine does not have a distributer at the rear of the engine?

RTE66 Sep 29, 9:41 am PDT

Sorry to be a bother again. I did some research and found several options that looked like what you did. Now I have other questions. Was the engine used a mid 1990s style LT1 engine that came with the front mounted distributer or an older standard 350 style engine with rear mounted distributer? If was a later LT1 engine, did the kit you installed eliminate the all of the front ignition parts except the crank trigger like the Torqhead 24X unit, or was it a LTCC_LT1 unit, a MSD unit, or some other brand?

Digistat Seller Sep 29, 10:45 am PDT

My engine is a gen 1 SBC. I am not familiar with the 90's LT 1's except that the ignition system used on them was not very good. My engine does not have a rear mounted distributor, instead it has a device that emits a cam signal which is used for sequential injector operation. My crank trigger consists of a fairly thin flat plate with teeth on it to create the crank trigger timing. There is a Hall Effect sensor mounted low on the front of the engine that generates the spark along with the ECU and coil near plug set up. Since adding a plate between the pulleys and harmonic balancer moves them forward, I used thin spacers to move the accessories out the same as the thickness of the crank trigger plate. It all works great and the timing is tock solid. I noticed an improvement in engine smoothness after installing all of this. I used Holley parts to set this up except I used a differest companies crank trigger plate as it was significantly less expennsive.

RTE66 Sep 30, 6:16 am PDT

Is there a way that you can send me your number? Thanks, Dave

ZachRestomods Staff Sep 30, 10:43 am PDT

Hit the "contact support" button below the Key Details section of the auction and one of our auction specialists will facilitate communication! Never recommended to leave your email publicly in the comments section for security purposes.

Mypantsrcuminoff Bidder • Sep 29, 5:50 am PDT

Is there an airport in the vicinity so a buyer could fly in?

Digistat Seller Sep 29, 7:28 am PDT

There are two airports in the area. The closest is Dallas Love field Southwest flies there. DFW International airport is a bit further but had more airlines serving it.

Mypantsrcuminoff Bidder • Sep 29, 5:49 am PDT

Would the car be capable of a road trip home to the east Coast? No overheating issues? TYIA

Digistat Seller Sep 29, 7:25 am PDT

Yes, my wife and have taken it on several road trips.

Ray1942 • Sep 28, 7:45 pm PDT Sep 28, 7:45 pm PDT

Stevecat • Sep 28, 6:42 pm PDT Sep 28, 6:42 pm PDT

Stevecat Bidder • Sep 28, 5:09 pm PDT

I live in Grand Prairie, may I come by to see the car?

Digistat Seller Sep 28, 6:51 pm PDT

Yes contact Buy the car, and they will set up a contact between us.

RTE66 • Sep 28, 2:39 pm PDT Sep 28, 2:39 pm PDT

Mypantsrcuminoff • Sep 28, 2:22 pm PDT Sep 28, 2:22 pm PDT

Amigaman1964 Bidder • Sep 28, 8:34 am PDT

Any idea of the towing capacity?

Digistat Seller Sep 28, 9:19 am PDT

My original plan was to be able to tow our small camping trailer. But that never materialized. I built it pretty strong so I think one could tow a trailer weighing a few thousand pounds without issues.

Digistat Seller Sep 28, 9:35 am PDT

What do you have in mind that you would want to tow?

Amigaman1964 Sep 28, 10:44 am PDT

We have a small airstream camper about 3000 lbs that would look great behind this car.

Digistat Seller Sep 28, 11:24 am PDT

I would think the Studebaker could handle that.

Amigaman1964 • Sep 28, 8:24 am PDT Sep 28, 8:24 am PDT

RTE66 • Sep 28, 7:33 am PDT Sep 28, 7:33 am PDT

Ray1942 • Sep 28, 6:47 am PDT Sep 28, 6:47 am PDT

RTE66 • Sep 27, 7:27 pm PDT Sep 27, 7:27 pm PDT

lssample • Sep 27, 11:36 am PDT Sep 27, 11:36 am PDT

RTE66 • Sep 26, 7:16 pm PDT Sep 26, 7:16 pm PDT

Ray1942 • Sep 25, 11:40 am PDT Sep 25, 11:40 am PDT

KELS Bidder • Sep 25, 10:35 am PDT

How can I contact the seller directly to get more info?

joeshmo Staff Sep 25, 10:44 am PDT

@KELS Any questions you have about the vehicle can be posted here in the comments and the seller will respond.

KELS • Sep 25, 9:21 am PDT Sep 25, 9:21 am PDT

Jgrande • Sep 24, 7:38 pm PDT Sep 24, 7:38 pm PDT

Ray1942 • Sep 24, 7:33 pm PDT Sep 24, 7:33 pm PDT

tdiller6869 • Sep 24, 7:10 pm PDT Sep 24, 7:10 pm PDT

309884 • Sep 24, 7:07 pm PDT Sep 24, 7:07 pm PDT

RandallRoot • Sep 24, 4:29 pm PDT

Hi. The description says there are “chrome bumpers” but I only see a rear bumper. Is there one for the front?
Thanks

joeshmo Staff Sep 24, 4:46 pm PDT

Hi @RandallRoot we will clarify in the description just a chrome rear bumper, no front.

Digistat Seller Sep 24, 8:10 pm PDT

joeshmo is correct, there is no front bumper. Sorry about the misprint.

tdiller6869 • Sep 24, 12:52 pm PDT Sep 24, 12:52 pm PDT

Mypantsrcuminoff • Sep 24, 12:50 pm PDT Sep 24, 12:50 pm PDT

tdiller6869 • Sep 24, 12:02 pm PDT Sep 24, 12:02 pm PDT

Digistat Seller • Sep 16, 4:06 pm PDT

The car comes with a Seal skin car cover.

All vehicle descriptions and listings are provided exclusively by the seller and are assumed accurate by the platform without independent verification. Buyers maintain the sole responsibility to satisfy themselves as to the accuracy of any description, and independent research and physical inspections must be completed prior to bidding.

The Wrench Report is generated solely for informational purposes and is based on a subjective analysis of information provided by the seller. The contents of the Wrench Report constitute a good-faith opinion only; they do not constitute mechanical advice, professional valuation, or an assurance or guarantee of the vehicle's quality, safety, or condition.

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Key Details

Seller : Digistat
Location : Dallas, TX 75252
Seller Type : Private

Build Sheet

VIN: G900762
350ci Chevy V8 engine (bored .030 over, forged pistons, 9.7:1 compression)
Holley HP full sequential MPFI with crank-trigger ignition
Trick Flow aluminum cylinder heads & stainless roller rockers
Phoenix Transmission 700R4 4-speed automatic with 2,500 stall converter
Narrowed 12-bolt Positraction rear end with Moser axles & 3.55:1 gears
1968 Camaro front subframe conversion with Global West A-arms & Ridetech adjustable shocks
Cal-Tracs rear traction bars, custom Panhard bar, & rear anti-sway bar
Hydroboost power 4-wheel disc brakes (SSBC front calipers / Wilwood rear)
AGR fast-ratio power steering system & Ididit tilt column
Old Air HVAC climate control & Nu-Relics power windows
Body-off restoration finished in 1996 Camaro Blue paint
MB Sprinter Van bucket seats with armrests, lumbar support, & custom upholstery
Full interior RAAM Audio insulation throughout cabin
AutoMeter gauge suite & Kenwood Bluetooth stereo setup
Rock Valley stainless steel fuel tank with Aeromotive PWM fuel controller
B&M adjustable transmission controller
Weld Rodlite wheels 15x7 (front)/15x10 (rear)
12-volt tire pump, tire repair kit, and maintenance battery charger included
Unique 38-year owner story (originally bought in 1965, sold in 1970, re-acquired in 1993)