1955 Studebaker To Be Auctioned To Benefit Charity

February 12, 2018 by Amelia Island Concours

In the 1850s Studebaker started making wagons: big ones, the kind that helped write American history and power Manifest Destiny at ground level.

While the 1955 Studebaker Champion Conestoga two-door station wagon lacks a glamorous label created by a powerhouse marketing department, it comes by the venerable Conestoga name honestly.

The South Bend-based builder of wagons and ultimately automobiles offered the two-door, split-tailgate Champion Conestoga for just two years (1954 and '55). Available with a V-8 or 170 cubic inch six The Amelia's Conestoga is powered by the standard 170 hp straight-six with a three-speed column shift. Fewer than 5,000 Conestogas were built on the Champion's 116.5 inch wheelbase.

Thanks to a generous gift by an anonymous donor and the efforts of Mr. Stu Carpenter of Copley Motorcars, the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance Foundation is working together with RM Sotheby's to sell this 1955 Studebaker at auction. Proceeds will benefit the Foundation with the money raised going directly to Spina Bifida of Jacksonville. Additionally, the donor has also offered to match the final selling price dollar for dollar, doubling the Foundation's contribution to this valuable First Coast charity.

Spina Bifida of Jacksonville is a non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness about the birth defect spina bifida and its effects and to create a network of support for local families to help them through their struggles.

Its membership is made up of those with spina bifida, area parents, medical specialists and others interested in helping individuals with this birth defect lead full and rewarding lives.

Every day as many as eight children are born in the United States with this crippling, sometimes fatal, condition which damages the spine and the nervous system. People with this birth defect can live full productive lives but face many challenges. Spina Bifida of Jacksonville -- a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization -- was founded to assist and support those individuals, patients and families whose lives have been touched by this often life-changing birth defect.

The RM Sotheby's Amelia Island Auction takes place at the Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island on March 10, 2018. For details visit www.rmsothebys.com

---

Trending News

• Carlisle Auctions Concludes First Auction of 2024 – Sells More than 50% of Consignments
• RM Sotheby's Announces Further Incredible Competiton And Rally Greats Coming To Monaco On 10 And 11 May
• BONHAMS|CARS SPRING STAFFORD MOTORCYCLE SALE ACHIEVES £3 MILLION WITH AN INDUSTRY-LEADING 95% SELL THROUGH RATE
• VinFast officially signs agreements with 12 new dealers in the US
• Niki Lauda's Nürburgring Helmet – A Symbol Of Sporting Bravery And Determination – Comes To Bonhams|Cars Miami Auction

---

Tickets for the 23rd annual Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance on March 9-11, 2018 at the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island are available now.

About The Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance

Now in its third decade, the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance is among the top automotive events in the world. Always held the second full weekend in March, 'The Amelia' draws over 300 rare vehicles from collections around the world to The Golf Club of Amelia Island and The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island for a celebration of the automobile like no other. Since 1996, the show's Foundation has donated over $3.2 million to Community Hospice & Palliative Care, Spina Bifida of Jacksonville, The Navy - Marine Corps Relief Society, Shop with Cops, and other deserving charities. In 2013 and 2016 the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance won Octane Magazine's EFG International Historic Motoring Event of the Year award.The 23rd annual Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance is scheduled for March 9-11, 2018. For more information, visit www.ameliaconcours.org.