1954 Studebaker Champion Starlight Coupe–Bodied 2011 Chevrolet Camaro 2SS Race Car

Sold for USD $18,555 on 5/19/25
This custom race car was built for Mefford Motors of Columbia, Tennessee, with the intention of driving it in the Carrera Panamericana endurance race. The project involved fitting bodywork from a 1954 Studebaker Champion Starlight coupe over the modified underpinnings and powertrain of a 2011 Chevrolet Camaro 2SS. The car wears unfinished steel bodywork that has been painted with Carrera Panamericana–style graphics and features flared fenders as well as side exhaust outlets. Power is supplied by a 6.2-liter LS3 V8 linked to a six-speed manual transmission and a limited-slip differential. A welded roll cage and Racetech seats have been added inside, and further equipment includes multi-point harnesses and window safety nets along with Brembo disc brakes and 20” alloy wheels. This custom Studebaker-style race car is now offered by the seller on behalf of the owner in California with a display piece and a Tennessee title listing it as a 1954 Studebaker.



The Camaro’s body panels were removed, and the upper portions of the unibody were cut away before a roll cage with door bars was welded in at Coffey Fabrication & Race Prep in Nashville, Tennessee. The Studebaker’s steel body was stripped to bare metal, the fenders and quarter panels were widened, the doors were shaved, and filler panels were fashioned from steel sheet to complete the supporting structure. Sections of the hood and fenders have been cut out around the front strut towers, and the exhaust outlets pass through holes in the quarter panels. The seller notes that additional work may be required before the car is used in competition.

Carrera Panamericana–style graphics featuring mirrored Pegasus logos on the hood were painted on the unfinished steel body by Tennessee artist Browder Ledbetter. Bullet-style side mirrors are affixed to the doors, and front and rear tow hooks have also been added. The car is not equipped with windshield wipers. The right quarter window is cracked, and rust holes, corrosion, and other imperfections around the car can be viewed in the gallery.

 

Silver 20” alloy wheels are mounted with a mixed set of tires measuring 245/45 up front and 275/40 out back. Stopping power is provided by Brembo calipers over ventilated discs at all four corners.



The partially stripped cabin houses twin Racetech fixed-back bucket seats outfitted with red multi-point harnesses. The door window regulators and glass have been removed, and textured door panels and red safety nets have been added.



The multi-function steering wheel, instrumentation, dash, and center console were retained from the Camaro. The cluster houses a 180-mph speedometer and a tachometer with a 6,250-rpm redline as well as readouts for fuel level and coolant temperature, while supplementary gauges are located ahead of the shifter. The digital odometer indicates 79k chassis miles, approximately 1k of which have been added under current ownership.

The 6.2-liter LS3 V8 was factory rated at 426 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque. It is equipped with an aftermarket intake as well as a dual exhaust system.

 

Power is sent to the rear wheels through a six-speed manual transmission and a limited-slip differential. Corrosion is visible on various underbody components.



A cylindrical display piece with painted Carrera Panamericana–style artwork is included in the sale.



The Studebaker chassis plate attached to the driver-side A-pillar bears chassis number G1287426. The car is titled in Tennessee as a 1954 Studebaker using the VIN GI287426, and a redacted copy of the document is presented in the gallery.