We’re looking at the extravagant prow of a 1950 Studebaker Champion. Whose idea was this anyhow! It reminds me of Little Red Riding Hood saying to the Wolf, “Grandmother, what big teeth you have!” As we all know, that didn’t go well. But the Champion sold like hotcakes when it was first introduced in 1939 – a blessing for its maker since Studebaker barely made it out of the Great Depression. The model’s success can be attributed to Studebaker’s tie-up with Raymond Loewy Associates starting in 1936. The bullet-nose cars arrived in 1950, inspired by aerospace motifs, especially the Lockheed P-38 Lightning war plane. Made for only two years, these cars have carved out a modest niche in the collector world while remaining very reasonably priced. This example is for sale here on craigslist at $11,000 obo. The new owner can drive it home from Ronkonkoma, New York (ride the LIRR off-peak from Penn Station for only fifteen bucks!) Thanks, Rocco, for finding this great Studebaker for us.
The Champion model was released in 1939. It was designed to be lightweight and fuel-efficient. As a result, Studebaker ended up selling a ton of these cars. The exterior designs had always been pretty conservative, though. Well, Studebaker surprised everyone in 1950 when they added a spinner grill to the front of the car. That only lasted for two years, but it made the ’50-52 Champion an icon. Well, that and its appearance in The Muppet Movie…
Studebaker was suspended between economy – small, thrifty sixes – and performance – the R2 supercharged 289 V8. The Champion was equipped with a 170 cu. in. flathead six rated at 85 hp, backed with a three-speed column-shift manual. So performance was not sparkling: it took almost 20 seconds to meander from zero to sixty, and top speed about matched the hp rating, at 86 mph. This engine bay could use a spa day or two, maybe a month of weekends. That air filter should be all black, the sheet metal should match the body color, and the engine itself ought to be gray-green.
The cabin is very habitable, with decent upholstery on the typical bench seats both front and rear, a nice instrument panel, and a restorable steering wheel. The radio does not work. One-piece curved windshields were still in the future, but pay attention to the rear glass: it’s divided by a similar trim strip. This car has been in the seller’s family for over ten years. They claim that it has been well cared for but don’t mentions anything about restoration work done.
Close-ups reveal very slightly different shades of red on the rear panels of the car. The chrome is hazed, but not pitted. Overall, this Champion offers some scope for easy, cheap improvements to bring it up a notch. More than likely it’s good enough as is for local shows, where you won’t see another. While the coupes bring higher prices, this two-door sedan offers a reasonable entryway to collector car ownership.
Quite presentable, just don’t open the hood. Seriously doesn’t look terrible for an old Studebaker. I mean the reality is this car company pretty much disappeared by 1965 I know technically the year was 66 but I had a 64 and the old Studebaker dealer in 1971 was still stuck with a few parts on their shelves. Ask me how I know? Anyway their value was in the dirt any thing running out there was just driven in the ground. So honestly anything the company built from the late 50’s through their demise is a survivor in my opinion. More smiles per mile folks .
I had a similar thought as Cadmanls. If you are at say a Mecum auction and there is a high-dollar (insert your favorite collector car) crossing the block, and you see pitted chrome and a cracked steering wheel, it would probably diminish your view of the car. Meanwhile, for this old Studebaker, well for me these deficiencies are just fine. It is a survivor, and it’s simply good to see one in running condition, even if the cosmetics aren’t perfect.
I hope this comes out. Whenever I see a Studebaker with a Bullet nose I always think of Fozzie Bear and his hibernating Uncle letting him have his car.
I’m with all the above. A car like this has character. It’s earned those scars from time and it should wear them proudly. I’d be very happy to own this one.
BTW I wanted to say that this is a great write up and a great find too Michelle. I enjoyed it. Thank you.
Also known as “prop nose”. First V8s were in 1951; superchargers and R2s came later. Thanks for your write up!
They called that steering column “The Impaler”, and someone did an extensive paint job to hide the original color. Red, or this shade of red, was just not popular, in fact, only one red was featured in 1950, and was much darker. It’s a nice find, again the stick is a bummer, and I feel 5 figures is out of touch for a car like this with limited appeal. Didn’t JC Whitney sell a 3rd headlight for these?
An inexpensive way to have fun and turn a few heads in the process. Just a few days ago I took my ’50 Commodore out for a short spin. Pulled up to a road crew and their “stop” sign. Their eyes and excited comments made my day. Isn’t that what it’s all about? To me, this Studebaker fills the bill just as it is.
An inexpensive way to have fun and turn a few heads in the process. Just a few days ago I took my ’50 Commodore out for a short spin. Pulled up to a road crew and their “stop” sign. Their eyes and nice comments made my day. Isn’t that what it’s all about? To me, this Studebaker fills the bill just as it is.
Exactly, Took one of my Studies out yesterday….questions and photos were the order of the day…..
Nice. I like it a lot.
You couldn’t build this car and paint it for $11,000. This is a good buy for what it is. It just one of those cars that makes you smile when you see it.
I found this car interesting though it is too bright red for me, definitely an attention grabber on the road or sitting still somewhere. I enjoyed checking the photo of the non-functioning radio as I have one in the basement that is identical except mine doesn’t have push buttons. So, was this the deluxe radio or is mine from another year? The engine compartment and the trunk need some elbow grease and maybe some rust attention.
This is the first car I remember my parents having, but ours was a green 1951 Starlite coupe. I was embarrassed that we drove a green Studebaker until many years later when I realized how cool that bodystyle was. We got t-boned by a 1949 Ford in 1957 and bent the frame. Dad bought a 1956 Plymouth with FINS! And I approved of that. I was 7 years old.