Studebaker Champion
Easy on the pocket, easy on the eye, the Studebaker Champion was one of the most economical cars of its time. It was targeted to invade a mass market position that had been held for so many years by the Ford motor company.
Studebaker was never really successful as a car manufacturer. The company seemed to spend most of its time bouncing from one financial crisis to the next. In fact, on more than one occasion the business was threatened with liquidation, which even went as far as seeing it in receivership at one stage.
The Studebaker Champion was thought, or hoped to be, the automobile model that would change Studebaker's fortunes. Introduced in 1939, the original Champion was a four or five-seater sedan of the type and shape that can be found prolifically making appearances in early black and white movies, particularly the gangster genre.
The Champion was effectively designed and produced from scratch. It was made to weigh in at a lot less than the competition, in order to improve its performance and handling. The car achieved this objective for the company. The straight six engine proved to be a reliable unit and the low prices, including $660 for a two door coupe in 1939, made it a popular choice with many motorists. This popularity was enhanced by the exceptional gas consumption figures, which also gave it an almost unassailable advantage over its competitors. This latter aspect helped to improve sales of the Champion during the Second World War when gas was rationed. At least you could still drive a Champion most of the time, a feat which in those troubled times could not be said of many automobiles.
A few short years after its introduction the Champion was to change and adopt the bullet-nosed front end shape that became its trade and brand mark. At the same time the model range was increased to include the previously mentioned coupe, the two door convertible and a station wagon. This was intended to give the vehicle an foothold in all of the automobile market segments and help it to appeal to all types of family users.
In 1950, Studebaker introduced the Studebaker Champion Starlight coupe, which was to prove to be one of the most popular models in the range. Its bullet nose and uniquely futuristic styling attracted a great deal of attention and helped to make the early 1950's one of the most successful for the company. However, with their financial advantages, the big three US automobile manufacturers soon recovered and brought out new models that were aimed to directly compete with the Starlight. As soon as this happened it became apparent to many that the days of the Champion, and indeed the company itself, were numbered. Finally, in 1958, the drive of the Champion came to and end and, although the company tried to develop in areas away from automobiles, it did not survive as an independent.
The Champion was a brave automobile, fully justifiable of the name. It gave its maker hope when there was none and it provided the automobile enthusiast with a classic car experience that lives on in the memory.
