Rare Six-Wheeled Studebaker Ice Princess Will Sell at Auction Without Reserve

By Tara Hurlin

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Updated
September 19, 2025The 1950 Studebaker Ice Princess XF58 is not a genuine Studebaker production or prototype from 1950, but rather a remarkable custom car built decades later. Constructed in 1987 by custom car designer Richard Fletcher, this iconic six-wheeled machine was designed to be a retro-futuristic concept, envisioning what Studebaker stylists of the 1950s might have dreamed up. It is a fusion of mid-20th-century aesthetics, incorporating parts from a 1950 Studebaker sedan and a 1960 Cadillac, along with a powerful 500ci Cadillac engine. The Ice Princess has since gained a cult following among custom car and classic vehicle enthusiasts for its unique history and space-age design.

From 1950 Studebaker to futuristic custom

The Ice Princess XF58 began its life in the 1980s, where Fletcher used a 1950 Studebaker sedan as the base for his radical design. He hand-formed the bodywork by blending Studebaker sheet metal with that of a 1960 Cadillac, resulting in a 20-foot-long, spaceship-like ride. The car’s aesthetic is heavily influenced by the 1950s jet age, featuring a double bubble canopy reminiscent of the Lincoln Futura and a twin-cockpit design like that of an F4 Phantom jet.and a twin-cockpit design like that of an F4 Phantom jet.

Unique features of the Ice Princess XF58

Fletcher’s creation is defined by a series of unconventional design choices. The most notable is the six-wheeled layout, with four wheels in the front for a distinct profile. Other striking details include tapered headlights, Imperial fins, and “nozzle reactors” on the back designed in the style of an early 1960s Cadillac. Powering this elaborate custom is a robust 500ci Cadillac engine, which was sourced from a later model. The interior is equally captivating, with a “Jet Age” theme and golden hues throughout.

The car’s history and evolution

Before becoming known as the Ice Princess, the car underwent a transformation. In its first iteration during the late 1980s, it was originally dubbed the “Vampire-Mobile” and toured Europe. The car was restyled and renamed the “Ice Princess” in 2005. In 2018, it was sold at a Russo & Steele auction for $38,500. The Ice Princess XF58 has since been showcased at various events, including the Chicago Auto Show, as part of the prominent Klairmont Kollection.

A tribute to a visionary automaker

Although the Ice Princess XF58 is not a factory-built vehicle, it serves as a creative tribute to the spirit of innovation that defined the real Studebaker company in the 1950s. The original 1950 Studebaker lineup featured daring designs for its time, including the iconic “bullet-nosed” Champion and Commander models. With its whimsical and over-the-top design, the Ice Princess XF58 captures the “what if” imagination of the era and stands as a testament to the custom car world’s ability to reinterpret and celebrate automotive history.

The 1950 Studebaker Ice Princess XF58 will be offered at Mecum Auctions’ Larry’s Legacy Auction on Saturday, September 20th, 2025, at the Klairmont Kollections Automotive Museum in Chicago, Illinois. The car will be offered without reserve and is being sold from the Larry Klairmont Museum Collection along with other unique custom cars such as the award-winning 1955 Ford Beatnik Bubbletop Custom, the Golden Sahara II, a legendary custom car with glowing tires, and a George Barris protege build, the 1956 Continental Mark II Custom Bubble Top.