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Up for public auction is my 1950 Studebaker Starlight Coupe which has been cosmetically modified to mimic a WWII Lockheed P-38 Lightning.   Studebaker's 1950 model was expressly designed to incorporate many features of the legendary WWII fighter plane.   The goal in this project was to take that resemblance to the next level.

This particular car is relatively famous. appearing in Hot Rod Magazine in April 2010. Hemmings Motor News in August 2012. Lightning Strike (P-38 periodical). and various Studebaker publications.   The vehicle was also featured as part of a special exhibit at the Studebaker National Museum in 2013.   That publicity along with several local awards makes this an accomplished vehicle.   The attention it grabs and the conversations it starts (just about everywhere you go) make this a special automobile.

While in my possession. the car underwent a significant transformation.   Originally a stock Aero Blue. it was disassembled down to the basic body on frame.   Extensive paint work was performed resulting in a body that is straight as an arrow and paint that brilliantly flashes in the sun like a polished aluminum aircraft.

Concurrent to the body. mechanical and electrical work was performed.

Under the hood. the original engine was “gone through” and detailed to factory coloration.   The (numbers matching) stock flat head six is intact. has superb oil pressure. and operates without problem.   Similarly the 3-speed (with OD) manual transmission shifts cleanly without flaw.

Electrically. the vehicle has been altered.   The previous owner was an Army electrician and essentially fused every circuit in the car which I chose to retain.   A fuse bank assembly is installed under the dash on the driver side.  Also notable is the installation of an alternator in lieu of a (less reliable) generator. another carryover from the previous owner.

The interior of the car is largely stock with the exception of an under-dash CD/radio (with remote) that I chose to install. No material alterations were performed for this installation. it can be removed to completely return to a stock dash if desired.   The trunk area is completely stock.

The under carriage and suspension are stock. They have been cleaned and painted but are not considered restored. They exhibit normal wear for a vehicle of its age.

The most distinct feature of the vehicle. the various airplane markings. are custom designed vinyl graphics…they are not painted.   As such. they can be easily modified but are durable.   They are firmly in place and cannot be removed without effort.   If you chose to leave them. they will last for many years. If you chose to change. improve. or remove them. doing so will not harm the paint. These graphics do in fact closely resemble the actual airplane markings.   I found a group that is dedicated to the preservation of the P-38 who directed me to resources with authentic markings.   I took a creative license with some including the 750(ish) rivets throughout the body lines and the VWs and Mitsubishi “kills” on the fenders.

Buying a restored 64 year old car always comes with risk. In an effort to ease your apprehension. I will honestly point out the meaningful imperfections of the car:

There are two chips on the front of the hood. the victim of gravel falling off a truck on the highway.   They are small and harbor no rust. Another scratch. approximately an inch long is on the lower edge of the right door.   Again. no rust. just a scratch in a “not so obvious” place.

There is a paint chip on the edge of the trunk. It was underneath a vinyl graphic.   You can't see it is you do not know it's there.

The transmission has a leak. small enough I have chosen not to address it.  A new OD solenoid o ring would likely fix the problem. Again. it is small.

The tops of the front and back seats have sun fading.   I chose to fit the seats with partial black covers to match the trim line of the doors. It added a nice look and conveniently covered the discoloration.

The original radio does not operate. The radio looks perfect but does not work. hence part of the decision to install a partial hidden CD/radio.

The true mileage is anyone's guess. I know the odometer has been replaced.   Given most everything in the car has been gone over or eventually replaced. the actual mileage was never important to me. I know I can get in it and drive anywhere.

This vehicle is not being represented as a concours restoration. This is a completely unique. reliable. clean. honest classic car that will bring all the attention it deserves. Depending on your intentions. you will have children wave at you in parades. car buffs start numerable conversations. and even veterans come and thank you for the tribute to the “men and machines that saved the world”.

Notes on the photos:

- A couple of the photos are clearly touched up and were used for car publicity - you can tell effects were added to dramatize the setting. Both are shot at the airport.   The remainder are "raw pictures".

- you may notice the graphic detail on the front fenders is different in some photos.   I originally had a manifold type exhaust which I changed not much later to port holes.   The port holes look far better and represent what is on the car now.

- to those who know WWII planes. I know the plane pictured in the background is not a P-38. but instead a B-17.   The plane came to a local airport and I could not pass the opportunity to take a few pictures. I never had the chance to pair the car up with an actual P-38.

Want to buy this car?