Vehicle Description
1948 Studebaker Champion Convertible
The success of the Champion in 1939 was imperative to Studebaker's
survival following weak sales during the 1938 model year. Unlike
most other cars, the Champion was designed from a "clean sheet" and
had no restrictions caused by necessarily utilizing older parts or
requiring the subsequent use of its components in heavier vehicles.
Market research guided the selection of features, but a key
principle adhered to was the engineering watchword "weight is the
enemy". The 1947-1952 Studebaker's marked a sharp break from 1930's
streamlined styling and the beginning of flamboyant, futuristic
styling.
This third generation version, up for consignment, is a 1948
Studebaker Champion convertible which attracted motorists and this
writer with its ultramodern styling. This particular car spent 35
years in a barn in western PA. Some recent work to bring it up to
snuff mechanically has been performed including new motor mounts,
professional carb rebuild, new muffler, and a new convertible top
all within the past year. Their car is a very smooth runner and
will need just a bit of TLC to get it up to snuff visually.
Exterior
Pontoon styling, an aircraft-esque nose with giant hood ornament,
smooth fender lines and nice chrome all bathed in yellow graces our
Hallowed Halls here at Classic Auto Mall. It is a convertible with
a black canvas roof that is like new as it was replaced last year.
A nicely rounded over and slight bump out rear quarter frames the
sides of what is a sleek and wide rear deck. The trunk lid is
beautifully squeezed into a V form and has another bulb on its
turndown, and with the horizontal tail lighting, and the slightly
tarnished bumper below gives the car a futuristic look and
definitely from the 40's. Some chrome trimmings for the fronts of
the rear quarters in ribbed plate form, a chromed rocker, and
somewhat stubby front end, featuring a vertical ribbed inset grille
and another lightly tarnished bumper below, and I see the look of
love! The glass is all in good condition, the paint has a few
faults, slight dulling, and patches where some rust has been
repaired. There is rust in the rear fender lowers, and evidence of
previous rust remediation on the door panels particularly in the
lowers near the seams. 15-inch steel wheels are yellow painted and
sport flat round hubcaps in their centers. These wheels are wrapped
in 185/65R15 blackwalls from the 4th week of 2020.
Interior
With top down we have full visual access to the interior and it is
all in brown canvas and vinyl. The door panels are simple smooth
brown panels with a thin chrome trimming running through the center
and shiny actuators and cranks with a small black arm rest. Ribbed
chrome is on the lowers. Inside, a front split bench and full rear
bench float in new brown carpeting, These front split bench is
covered with a canvas covering and does have seat belts. The rear
bench back is the give away for how the actual seats were
originally in brown vinyl. The rear bench has the canvas covering
on the seat lower. We note the side panels are also original in
back and are of a lighter saddle brown color with a crank for the
rear glass and the obligatory ashtray. The dash is original, also
in the lighter brown covering for the elongated rounded off
instrument cluster featuring a trio of circular gauges evenly
spaced out throughout the rectangle. A rectangular gridded speaker
covering is just to the driver's right of the instruments. The dash
top is painted black steel as is the glovebox on the passenger's
side. The lower dash under the instrument cluster is a black strip
and has several knobs and pulls along with the radio. The factory
steering wheel is fronting this dash that has nice chrome in its
center for the horn ring and central hub. A rear view mirror sits
atop the steel dash and all is in fair condition with a few faults
throughout but still nicely preserved.
Drivetrain
Under the hood is an unrestored engine bay. It shows some rust on
the block which is a 169.6ci L-headed inline 6 cylinder with a
large oil bath air cleaner. A new 6V battery and wiring is
installed and as noted, the 1-barrel carburetor has been completely
rebuilt. A 3 speed manual with pull out knob OD is in for the
transmissions and a rear axle is on at a designation of 4.10
gears.
Undercarriage
Heavy surface rust is throughout with plenty of invasive rust in
the rockers' innards is seen underneath. Surface rust is all on the
floor pans and inner fenders. Independent coil springs are on the
front with leaf springs for the rear. Drum braking is on all 4
corners. A Flowmaster muffler equipped single exhaust is snaking
its way from front to rear.
Drive-Ability
This car fired right up and ran like there are not enough O's in
smooooooooth to describe it. Easy shifting and the OD works
although you need to pull it out when finished or it will drain the
battery. Good handling, nice ride and the convertible top down
gives it the 40's feel. I had two friends along for the ride and
they loved it! The headlights do not illuminate, the heater doesn't
blowand the radio doesn't belt out any tunes. I also noted that the
car pulls a bit to the left when braking is pressed hard.
A good example, very smooth operator and good looker if you like
something out of the ordinary as to futuristic styling. Leave it to
Studebaker and this 1948 Champion to fulfill all your late 48's
dreams!
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display. This vehicle is located in our
showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just
1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The
website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888)
227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come
see the vehicle in person.
