THE ULTIMATE SURVIVOR
LOW MILEAGE 1958 STUD E BAKER CHAMPION
Do you remember this Newshub item from June 2016 and the amazing Kiwi story of the 1958 rock ’n’ roll– era classic with only 74 miles on the clock?
If so, you may have been one of nearly 45,000 who viewed this unbelievably low mileage and fantastically original 1958 Studebaker Champion and its well-documented New Zealand history on a local auction site.
This amazing time capsule is now offered for sale once again, but this time with the engine running purrfectly, some needed preservation having taken place, the black plates retained, and the Stude registered and with WOF — but still only a very few miles driven since 1958.
Confirming the fantastic originality of this 60-year-old American icon, it was awarded first place in the coveted Survivor Class competition at the recent Intermarque Concours d’elegance in Auckland — check out the feature article in the April issue of
New Zealand Classic Car magazine. In brief, this factory right-hand-drive Studebaker was ordered directly from the production line in South Bend, Indiana, in February 1958, and first registered in Wellington in June of the same year. History shows that this was a wedding present from the groom to his soon-to-be-bride. Maybe the bride didn’t share the love of him or Studebakers, as she had exited the story around the time the Champion arrived in New Zealand. The car was then garaged for the next 26 years until it was sold in 1984. Sold again in 1985, the Studebaker made its way to Timaru, and the car’s story played out in the South Island until 1993, when she returned to Wellington.
It was bought at auction by six friends, whose spoken declaration was, “The car shall never be driven — shall never be allowed to be driven”, and they kept it in a garage in the Wairarapa for the next 23 years.
With an asking price of $99,500, this is indeed a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a new custodian who truly appreciates the uniqueness of an incredibly well preserved New Zealand–new motor vehicle of 60 years age and with only 128 miles on the clock! For further inquiries, phone Stuart on 021 252 5778.