Automotive History Studebaker Champion
Bright red, four-door, sleek and streamlined with its jet engine nose-cone, I can still remember it well even though I was only five when Dad bought it. My dad's new 1953 Studebaker Champion is the first car I remember. I think its sleek, aerodynamic design and it's airplane-like nose made the Champion appeal to him. It reminded him of the jets he worked on aboard the Naval carrier during the Korean conflict. Right after returning home from his tour of duty aboard ship he bought the Champion.
The Champion was produced in South Bend, Indiana from 1939 to 1958 in a variety of body styles. Prior to the Champion's production the large automobile giants, Ford, GM, and Chrysler dominated the market with over 90% of new automobile sales. Studebaker took a risk, designing the Champion as the first economy car, appealing, during WW II, to consumer desire for gasoline savings. Weighing roughly 500 pounds less than its competitors while maintaining equivalent size, the Champion delivered on its promise. It was an instant success with an increased operating economy of 20 to 30 percent.
The Champion featured a simple, straight six cylinder engine and marketing pitches boasted of is ease and simplicity in repair. The low price of the Champion made it affordable as a family car. Combined with increased efficiency and its sleek design, the Champion delivered for Studebaker. During World War II, during the height of gasoline rationing, the Champion was popular for its efficiency while other cars sat idle in garages.
Studebaker Corporation has an interesting history in the American Automobile industry as both a loser and a winner. Studebaker President, Albert Erskine, committed suicide in 1935 following the Great Depression, but company vice presidents filed a section 776 Bankruptcy Act reorganization request to put the company back on its feet. The Studebaker Champion line, hitting the showroom in 1939, gave new life to the company, turning it from a losing to a winning automobile competitor in the eyes of the American public.
After World War II, as the economy began to revitalize and America was once again a land of growth and prosperity, Studebaker Corporation again gambled with the Champion, diversifying its design to be more modern. In 1946 consumers began seeing a sleeker, more aerodynamic Champion previewing its 1947 redesign. It continued to be a popular vehicle, peaking in sales in the early 1950s, until it was phased out in 1958, replaced by the Studebaker Lark.
My memories of the Studebaker Champion originate from childhood based on the visual appeal of the car and connections to family outings in southern California where Dad was stationed in the Navy. However, according to Hemmings Classic Car Digest, the Studebaker Champion was design unique and engineering classic.
The engine was a Studebaker designed straight six, 170 cubic inch capable of 85 miles per hour. As a result of having no timing chain, though, eventually the fiber timing gear on the camshaft wore out, seizing the engine. It had problems after a while with oil pressure resulting from excessive wear on the valve lifters as well.
Three different transmissions were used on the Champion. Prior to 1950 Champions were equipped with either a three-speed standard or a three speed standard with overdrive. The 1950 and later models provided the option of a Borg-Warner Automatic two-speed transmission which was not considered terribly reliable due to its predisposition to seize up. As a result of his experiences with the Champion, even into the 1960s my dad was reluctant to buy a car with an automatic transmission. I can hear him now saying, "An automatic transmission is just one more thing on a car that breaks, needing expensive repair."
The Studebaker Champion was designed for economy not luxury. As a result air conditioning was not available. Simple three-passenger bench-style seats were standard equipment. Champions came with two radio options. Because of their simplistic, lightweight design Champions were also prone to rust. Rear fenders were bolted to the body, not welded as in most cars, so they were easy to replace when necessary.
Studebaker Champions are still around gracing car shows, museums and occasionally can be spotted on the freeway. Since they are now classics, many over sixty years old, most have had significant part replacement. Still their futuristic design along with their unique history as America's first economy, family car makes the Studebaker Champion line a piece of Americana. I can not think of the Studebaker Champion without thinking of my dad.
Dad's gone now, but I still hold fond memories of him linked to our first family car, or at least the first one I remember, his 1953 Studebaker Champion. He was proud of that car and as a result, even at age five, I was proud of it also. Anytime I see or hear references to the Studebaker automobile, I think of dad and what his Champion meant to our family.
