Vehicle Description
In the early '60s, Studebaker needed a new truck to stay viable but
didn't have the money to build one. The solution? The Champ, which
took the existing pickup chassis and bed and grafted on a Lark
front end, creating one of the coolest pickups of the decade. This
1961 Studebaker Champ pickup is mildly modified, creating a
fascinating hybrid in more than a few ways.
The guy who built this truck was resourceful, we'll give him that.
Starting with a Studebaker Champ is one thing, but then adding a
'70s Camaro front clip, Dodge power, a Toyota seat, and a few other
modern bits makes it really unique. The paint was probably done
when the truck was built, and that was some years ago, so it looks
the way an old truck should look. It's a little faded, there are
some scratches and nicks on the bodywork, and a few areas have been
touched up, but isn't that how a pickup is supposed to look?
Perfection is nice, but it also renders the pickup useless as a
tool, and this one has no such pretensions. The Lark nose has a
rugged look that's instantly familiar and the bed with its flared
rear fenders looks aggressive but also neatly styled, and we can't
say the look isn't appealing. The rear bumper was removed, but it
still carries its original 'STUDEBAKER' tailgate and the bed inside
remarkably carries a drop-in bedliner so it's still ready to
work.
The interior carries that aforementioned Toyota bench seat, but you
can quickly see why it was selected. One, it looks right and two,
there's a neat cut-out for the shifter on the floor, making this
Champ feel sporty. A late-model GM tilt column and Grant GT
steering wheel make it easy to get comfortable and the upright cab,
which was essentially the front half of a Lark 4-door sedan, offers
plenty of head room. Rubber mats protect the carpets, and the
factory gauges look cool in their own round pods. There's heat
under the dash, but otherwise this pickup is still as basic as it
was when it was new, which, again, is why everyone loves old
trucks, right? Get in and go, no worries.
There's plenty of power on tap from a 318 cubic inch Dodge V8 and
it looks right at home in the Stude's engine bay. Finned valve
covers and a chrome air cleaner are traditional ways to dress
things up, and there's a new alternator down there, suggesting that
someone wanted this truck reliable. It's basic, but they ensured
reliability with a 4-barrel carburetor, dual reservoir master
cylinder, and a giant radiator up front, so you shouldn't be afraid
to take this one for a spin any time. Underneath, it has the
aforementioned Camaro front subframe, complete with front disc
brakes, and the transmission is a Chrysler 904 3-speed automatic. A
two-in, two-out Flowmaster muffler gives it a nice V8 burgle and
the suspension is simple and rugged, with leaf springs holding up a
late-model rear end on lowering blocks, so it has a nice stance. GM
Rally wheels with spinners fit well and look great with fat
215/70/15 front and 255/70/15 Uniroyal radials that really fill
those fat fenders.
A perfect candidate for a makeover and a rather rare truck in its
own right. It's unusual, fun to drive, and very affordable, making
this a great choice for the guy who is never satisfied with the way
things are. Call today!