eBay find of the day: 1951 Studebaker Champion
Autoblog reader Phez turned us on to this 1951 Studebaker Champion... and boy, does it look like it could prove the old adage that restoring a car is a labor of love. The odometer reads a repectable 56,600 and the engine is an inline 6-cylinder, so if the mechanical stuff runs right it could be a great find. It evidently served as a working model for a tech school, so interpret that how you will (it's either in great shape or was a mad scientist experiement). Cosmetically, the vehicle looks like it needs some mad TLC... the ripped headliner, "tired" upholstery and rusty innards (and outards) will all need some attention, but as Phez says, "Damnit, its a Studebaker."
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
iQuack 6:16PM (4/09/2006)
The 1950 and '51 were the 2 years of Studebaker's bullet nose design.
For history buffs, Studebaker was founded in 1852 (same year as Wells Fargo Bank) so that '51 was just one year before the company's 100th anniversary.
The first Studebakers were Conestoga wagons that hauled people out West to find gold in California.
The 1 millionth Studebaker was produced in 1950, I think.
When the pictured car is finally running, be sure to buy a case of thick oil--those Studebakers had soft blocks and almost all were followed by a trail of blue, oil smoke. Also, the rear main bearing seals leaked oil onto the clutch disk causing lots of chatter.
It'll be a fun ride, indeed!
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Razib Ahmed 6:30PM (4/09/2006)
The design of the car is nice. If it drives well then it can have good demand in the movie industry.
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ron 8:19PM (4/09/2006)
I can think of a couple of ways to cure the oil burning problem. I suspect a small-block Chevy engine could fit into that engine compartment!
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Chris 11:12PM (4/09/2006)
A couple more sweet Studebakers that crossed the eBay block recently:
http://www.motorcities.com/contents/06/1948-Studebaker-Champion-Convertible-Sold-at-$28,500_06CLN331807544.html
http://www.motorcities.com/contents/06/1956-Studebaker-Golden-Hawk-Custom-No-Sale-at-$45,556_06CLL544223957.html
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cowboy bob 6:57AM (4/10/2006)
I love Studes. But, Ron, A 502 CRATE MOTOR WILL FIT. Why think small. Properly rodded, this car could be a 40k or more ride. "Foosed", it could be a 150k ride. If those reading this don't know what I'm saying, you aren't rodders.
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blake 9:10AM (4/10/2006)
Mine is better! It is a 1950 Commander. For you who don't know, the Commander and the champion are almost the same, but the Commander is longer and has a higher trim level. Mine has a big block 454 and it fits with room to spare.
http://www.angelfire.com/super/1950bulletnose/BMayerle2.jpg
http://www.angelfire.com/super/1950bulletnose/BMayerle3.jpg
http://www.angelfire.com/super/1950bulletnose/BMayerle4.jpg
I just LOVE my car!
blake
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used cars 10:08AM (4/10/2006)
You cannot beat the good old days where classics are classics, all the new cars coming out today seem to be getting poor but classics have affection. The car shown in the pic above would look absolutly stunning once restored.
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iQuack 2:38PM (4/10/2006)
That yellow. '48 Champion convertible (Chris' post above) is one of the best designs ever IMO.
BTW, Studebakers from 1947 through '49 (not sure of earlier ones) had a transverse leaf spring across the front end. Mechanics had to take the engine out to drop the oil pan! Those were modern styles on top of atiquated mechanicals. The suspension was changed to coil springs in front in 1950.
Studebakers of the late '40s and '50s weren't as good as other cars of that era, but Studebaker was the first, really new style to appear after WWII.
In late 1946 when the all-new Studie was introduced, people pointed and stared at Studebaker's modern appearance--especially the Starlight Coupe with its rear window that wrapped around to the sides.
Studebaker offered overdrive which made those cars quite economical, and some also had a hill-holder like Subaru offered many years later.
In late 1948, for the 1949 model year, GM, Ford, and Chrysler offered completely restyled cars. But except for new V8s from GM, those cars had engines and transmissions that were old enough to vote.
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moefuzz 1:33AM (4/11/2006)
You haven't lived till you've driven a studebaker...
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Eman 5:45PM (6/06/2006)
The bulletnose Studes are definitely my favorites. I hope you enjoy it!
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