For Sale: 1948 Studebaker Champion in Morgantown, Pennsylvania

1948 Studebaker Champion Regal Deluxe 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 Regal Deluxe convertible which attracted motorists and this writer with its ultramodern styling. This particular car was purchased from Louis P Young Studebaker dealer in Pottstown and has been in the hands of 1 family until our consigner bought it from the original owner's son. The consigner states he has performed routine regular maintenance since taking ownership. He also states that a new top was installed in 2008 and has a glass rear window within it.

Exterior
Pontoon styling, an aircraft-esque nose with giant hood ornament, smooth fender lines and nice chrome all bathed in faded Cumberland Blue Sympho-Chromatic, (a former metallic flake paint now faded away), graces our Hallowed Halls here at Classic Auto Mall. It is a convertible in tan canvas, which is like new, replaced as noted in 2008. A nicely rounded over and slight bump out rear quarter frames the sides of what is a sleek and wide tracking rear deck. The trunk lid is beautifully squeezed into a V form, has another bulb on its turndown, and with the horizontal tail lighting, and wide shiny bumper below gives the car a futuristic look and definitely not a 40's look. 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 shiny bumper below, and I see the look of the future! Glass is all in good condition and the paint has a few scratches and war wounds but indeed may be original, with slight dulling and patches where some rust has been repaired. Some light rust is noted in several seams of the car, particularly on its lowers. 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. The wheels are sky blue painted steel, and sport flat round big dog dish style hubcaps in their centers and the tires are of the wide whitewall style in 5.60-15 form.

Interior
With top down we have full visual access to the interior and it is all wrapped in saddle colored brown vinyl. Door panels are simple smooth saddle colored panels with a thin chrome trimming running through the center and shiny actuators and cranks with a small matching arm rest. Ribbed chrome is on the lowers. Inside a front split back bench and full rear bench float in new deep maroon carpeting. The rear bench back is spacious and has nice vinyl. 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 burl veneer 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 driver's right of the instruments. The dash top is painted Cumberland blue steel as is the glovebox on the passenger's side. The lower dash under the instrument cluster is a blue metallic strip and has several knobs and pulls along with the radio. The factory white bakelite steering wheel is fronting this dash and 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. Noted below the dash is the "Climatizer" heating controls where you set the temp and forget it! Just above resides a factory radio.

Drivetrain
Under the hood is an unrestored but clean engine bay. It shows no rust on the block ,which is a 169.6ci L-head 6 cylinder with a large oil bath air cleaner. A new 6 volt 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 transmission and it features a hill holder clutch so no need to panic when stopped on an incline. A rear axle is on at a designation of 4.10 gears.

Undercarriage
Heavy grayed patina undercoating throughout is seen over the length of the rockers and floor pans. Independent coil springs are on the front with leaf springs for the rear. Drum braking is on all 4 corners, A stock style muffler exhaust is snaking its way from front to rear.

Drive-Ability
This car fired right up and ran like there were not enough O's in smooooooooth to describe it. Easy shifting and the OD works, although you need to push it in 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 radio, heater blower and odometer are not operating at the time of the test ride.

A good example, very smooth operator and good looker if you like something out of the ordinary as to futuristic styling, then leave it to Studebaker and this 1948 Champion.

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.