Studebaker Advertisements from the 1940s - 1960s

I found 51 Studebaker advertisements from the 1940s - 1960s advertised for sale on CraigsList - and now they're headed my way.

For a priceless treasure trove of Studebaker and other classic car ads, head over to John's Old Truck and Car Advertisements.

See more Studebaker ads at John's Old Car and Truck Advertisements.

Wanted: Fulton Sun Shield for a '50 Studebaker Champion

I'm searching for a Fulton Sun Shield for a 1950 Studebaker Champion. I've searched eBay, Google Groups and the broader Web. Please contact me with any leads - jason [at] jasonmichaels [dot] com.

See details about the Fulton Sun Shield.

1963 Studebaker Lark Standard - Blog

I found a kindred spirit in Clark Novak. His writing and photographs documenting the restoration of his 1963 Studebaker Lark Standard strike a chord with my efforts to restore our '50 Champion.

Visit Clark's Studeblogger Blog.

1950 9G Studebaker Champion Engine - Mystery Solved

The ongoing task of identifying my Studebaker Champion's engine has been solved by Dwain at alt.autos.studebaker.

"Yes sir, a 1950 engine, the original engine probably. Now that we know that, I'm not so sure whoever installed the later ('55 - '57) head did the right thing. That 536180 head was designed to deliver 7.5 to 1 compression ratio on a 185 engine. When installed on a 170 engine it probably delivers at least a half point less, maybe as low as 6.5 to 1.

That's not a great big deal, so if you are okay with the way the car runs now, I wouldn't change anything. If you do want a little bit more power and mileage you could try to find the 1950-54 head #529279 or the 1960 head #1549218."

View this discussion on Google Groups.

Studebaker - Photostream - Flickr

There's an excellent photostream of Studebaker vehicles on Flickr. More than 90 members added 900+ photographs of Studebaker vehicles. You can join the group to add your own photographs.

See a photostream of Studebaker vehicles.

From the Flickr group moderator:

"About STUDEBAKER - Different By Design

All things Studebaker. A group to post your photos of Studebakers past and present. Your scans and photos of Studebaker memorabilia and ephemera are welcome also. Vintage photos or the pic you took today. From the wagon era to the last 1966, post it here. Erskines included and Packards from the Studebaker - Packard Corporation years as well.

Just remember that Studebaker is the focus here and keep it positive. No put downs of other makes and no offensive language. No modern glamour photography - there are lots of flickr groups for pics where the gals are the main event. The primary interest here is the cars and the corporation. The history and the legacy."

Studebaker Meet-Up - Sacramento - Photographs

The Karel Staple chapter of the Studebaker Drivers Club is exhibiting a half-dozen members' cars at the Towe Auto Museum in Sacramento, CA, including a 1951 Studebaker Champion and a 1950 Studebaker Commander.

Another great set of Studebakers were in the parking lot during today's Karel Staple Chapter meeting. Photographs of some of these vehicles, including a Studebaker truck, Champion and Golden Hawk are below.

1950 9G Studebaker Champion Engine

We were told that our '50 Champion had a '53 engine. I finally checked the engine number, 536180 (with a #2 below it), and it looks like the engine belongs in a 9G '50 Champ - our car. Any guidance or clarification is appreciated.

Update - This from Dwain G. on Google Groups:

"At the very top, front, left (driver's) side of the engine block is a smooth machined pad about 1/2" tall by 2" long. Find that area and clean it off with a putty knife, wire brush, sandpaper, whatever and tell us what you find there. There should be no real difference between a '50 and a '53 engine, but a lot of differences from '55-on."

See a listing of Studebaker engine numbers at the SDC website.

I'll inspect my engine this week. Until then...

Studebaker Champion Door Panels and Kick Pads

The work on the Studebaker's interior can begin in earnest. Below are a few pictures of the recent delivery from Loga Enterprises - kick pads and four door panels.

The plan is to measure the panels and buy the Studebaker Champion's door upholstery, seat covers, carpet and headliner in one fell swoop.

The redhead is my daughter, who uncharacteristically wanted to be in every picture.

1950 9G Studebaker Champion DeLuxe Four Door

Thanks to the fellas over at the Studebaker discussion board on Google Groups for helping me to determine that my Champion is a DeLuxe four door.

The defining characteristic of the "Regal DeLuxe" is the 1/2" chrome around the side windows, which we have, so there is still some confusion. 

The hold-hold clutch, heater, overdrive and radio were options on all models, the Custom, Regal and DeLuxe.

Visit the Google Groups Studebaker discussion board.

Find out your Studebaker Model name at How It Works.

Warren Zevon - Studebaker - Song

A fan of Warren Zevon, I was pleased to hear about the recently discovered Zevon song, Studebaker.

Hear Warren Zevon's song, Studebaker, on LastFM.com.

Studebaker Commander - New York Times - Collectible Cars Gallery

The New York Times Automobile section online has an amazing collection of reader-supplied photographs of classic cars including the Studebaker Commander.

From the Times: "Through their own words and photos, members share the story of their collectible cars; their intriguing history, the journey of the restoration process and the character that makes each of them one-of-a-kind."

See a convertible Studebaker Commander at NY Times.com.

Custom Signs - Studebaker Sign - Authorized Service

Here's a fun web app. that I stumbled across. Make your own custom road sign, hotel sign, etc.

And now for some interesting reading about Studebaker signs, fonts and more.

And finally, the real deal - a Studebaker Authorized Service sign.

1950 Studebaker Champion - 9G - Improvements

Here's what we've done to our 1950 9G Studebaker Champion thus far:

· Replaced the Studebaker Champion fuel gauge
· Reconditioned the speedometer
· Installed the carburetor kit
· Hooked up the amp meter
· Installed five lap belts from Studebaker International
· Re-cabled the windshield wipers
· Aligned wheels

Replaced the:
· Under-dash wiring harness
· Horn pad
· Lamp switch
· Door jamb switch
· Dome light switch

Bits and pieces – replaced:
· Oil (6 quarts of 30w oil)
· Silicone brake fluid
· Battery
· All bulbs
· Foot pad
· E-brake cable
· Random screws

Now for the interior…

1950 Studebaker Champion - Photostream - Flickr

"Bachifu" created a great photostream of 1950 Studebakers on his Flickr page.

Featured:

· 2-door Studebaker Champion Coupe
· 4-door Studebaker Champion Sedan
· Rodded Studebaker Champions
· Studebaker Champion interiors
· Sad and rusted Studebaker Champions

See the Flickr photostream here.

Event - Studebaker Drivers Club - Through July 11, 2008

Studebaker Drivers Club - Through July 11, 2008

Event: Karel Staple Chapter members' Studebakers at the Towe Auto Museum
Host: Studebaker Drivers Club - Karel Staple Chapter
Location: Towe Auto Museum, 2200 Front Street, Sacramento, CA
Details: The Karel Staple chapter will showcase its members' Studebakers through July 11. Cars on display will include a 1923 Special Six, a 1951 Champion Starlight, a 1955 Speedster, a 1961 Champ PU, a 1963 Avanti and a 1966 Wagonaire.

More information available at: www.hawktalks.com and www.toweautomuseum.org

Event - Studebaker Drivers Club - June 22, 2008

Studebaker Drivers Club - June 22, 2008

Event: Studebaker Drivers Club meet-up
Host: Studebaker Drivers Club - Karel Staple Chapter
Location: Towe Auto Museum
Details: Featured speaker, meeting, lunch and run for Members
Contact: Jon Stalnaker 707-693-0211

More information available at: www.hawktalks.com and www.toweautomuseum.org

Studebaker Champion Speedometer and Fuel Gauge

The always-interesting adventure of Studebaker restoration should turn a new corner this week. Doc, our 1950 Studebaker Champion, will return from Porter Sprague with repaired dash wiring, two new switches, a refurbished fuel gauge and a cleaned-up speedometer.

We anticipate the arrival of the kick pads and door panels this week as well. Next up: carpets, seat covers, vinyl yardage for the door panels and perhaps a headliner from Stude Covers.

Raymond Loewy Cadillac Coupe Custom Concept Car

Raymond Loewy's Cadillac Coupe Custom Concept Car is now for sale on eBay. The opening bid is $650,000!

"Purchased new in 1959 by design and styling legend Raymond Loewy and shipped to his coachbuilder, Pichon-Parat of France. After its transformation, it was used by Loewy and his family forEuropean trips.

It returned to New York, thereafter, to Loewy's principal residence and eventually was relocated to his Palm Springs, California residence. After clocking up approximately 41,000 kilometers, it was sold to his next door neighbor in January of 1971, and was stored until approximately 1989 when it was sold to it's third owner-a European collector. It has just been released from this collection and is now available for sale. Raymond Loewy last drove this vehicle, with the original mileage of approximately 41,000 kilometers still unchanged."

See the Raymond Loewy Cadillac Coupe Custom Concept Car.

Stand By Me - Movie - Studebaker Champion

The movie Stand by Me debuted during my adolescence and shaped some of the adventures that my friends and I sought in the nearby suburban wilderness… though none of our travels mirrored the dramatic events depicted in the movie. The movie is further solidified as one of my all-time favorites by the recent discovery that one of the cars in the film is a 1950 Studebaker Champion.

The driver of the Champion unfortunately lost the race in the movie, but seeing a baby blue Champion in the film was a thrill regardless.

See Studebaker Champion cars at IMCDb.org.