Elk's Lodge - Studebaker Meet-Up

We had a great turnout at the Elk's Lodge #6 in Sacramento, CA, today. Here are a few new pics:

1950 Studebaker For Sale - Vancouver, WA

Wow. This is a beauty for $10,500. It's not stock and not all elements are period correct, but you can drive it right off the showroom floor.

See this 1950 Studebaker on CraigsList.

1950 Studebaker Champion - Wedding Present

Charlotte Goldberg fondly remembers her wedding gift - a 1950 Studebaker Champion (the photograph corrects the author's error). Goldberg and her husband will be married 60 years this month.

"My husband, Harold, and I became engaged on March 5, 1949, and the following Dec. 18 we were married. I had always thought to have a large wedding, but my parents gave us a choice. They said, "Would you like a large wedding or would you rather have a smaller one with family and close friends?" They added that if we chose the smaller wedding, they would order a brand new car for us as their wedding gift. We didn't hesitate and chose the smaller wedding. This is the cute little 1950 Studebaker we received."

Read the full article on the St. Petersburg Times website.

A Quick Look Inside the Studebaker National Museum

A three-minute tour of the Studebaker National Museum. The quick clip made by another party shows a few of the cars at the SNM including a President, Commander, Dictator, and a Champion.

Studebaker Champion Taillight Bulbs

Sometimes the simple things are incredibly comforting. After years of "the big stuff," repairs on our 1950 Studebaker Champion seem to be settling into a "maintenance mode." Now, maintenance on a 59 year-old car includes a head gasket and what could be seen as major part reconditioning.

But then there are days like this, when a simple bulb replacement is ... as simple as replacing a bulb. A & E Auto Parts in Sacramento, CA, is THE place for 1940 and better basic car parts. A & E had the 1158 and 1129 bulbs that Kragen and AutoZone did not - complete with a fancy, old-school cardboard bulb holder.

Note: these bulbs are for 6 volt systems. Our 1950 Champion has a 6V, positive ground system.

See a 1158 miniature bulb.

See a 1129 miniature bulb.

FYI, if you want to identify your stop light switch, I received this advice from StudeRich on the SDC forum:

"If your car has TWO female PUSH-ON terminals on the wires to connect to two (bullet type) male pins on the switch, it takes the 666858 switch. Or, you could ask for a 1962 Ford Truck hydraulic type stop light switch at your local Auto Parts Store. They fit most ANY pre-'65 or so U.S. car!"

Until next drive.

Studebaker Champion - Trunk Restoration - Mat

After scraping, sanding, vacuuming and a few coats of Rustoleum, our Studebaker trunk is good as new. I even picked up a trunk mat from StudebakerParts.com.

Two notes:

1. The black box in the trunk is a large 12-volt motorcycle battery that we use to power the radio/MP3 amp and speaker (hidden behind the original radio faceplate).

2. The plastic-coated cables that are attached to the trunk hinges are the connectors for the LATCH/three-point harnesses used on modern-day car seats. Studebaker drives are far more fun with the kids safely in tow.

Studebakers in Australia

Our Australian readers can head out 12 hours from Melbourne to New South Wales to see a 1963 Champion Pick-Up and a 1961 Hawk. Never mind the 12-hour trip to Maitland, the drive from South Bend, Indiana was a killer. ;-)

See the article in the Maitland Mercury News.

Image copyright the Maitland Mercury News.

Studebaker Champion Restoration - Interior

Yesterday, we began the restoration of our Studebaker Champion's interior in earnest. We scraped, wire brushed, and applied Rustoleum to areas that had trace amounts of surface-level rust, and areas where we expect moisture to occur/settle.

Below are a few pictures on the floorboards and ceiling. Next steps, rubber, jute padding and carpet.

1951 Studebaker Champion Business Coupe Restoration

I stumbled upon a well-documented restoration of a 1951 Studebaker Champion Business Coupe. This article is a great reference from those doing a frame-off or in-situ/frame-on restoration. The restorer/owner did a great job of providing plenty of pictures; simply click on each section in the article to view the images.

Details:
1951 Champion Business Coupe
Model: 10G-Q4 #1219 of 2429 Vin: G1050198

"The roof area was covered with an aluminized bubble wrap like material with about 1/4" thickness. This was glued to the roof with 3M 777 Spray Adhesive. For the headliner fabric, I went with a cool grey vinyl instead of cloth. It will last longer and be easier to clean than a fabric."

Click here to see the final Studebaker restoration.

Click here to read the full article.

Studebaker Fuel Gauge - NOS

Looking for a NOS fuel gauge for a 1950 Studebaker Champion? Here is what you're looking for: PN #5261717.

Studebaker Champion for Sale - $5,000 - July 18, 2008

I would give this Studebaker Champion serious consideration if I didn't already have an amazing 1950 Studebaker Champion 75 percent restored. Oh, how I wish for an extra $5,000 and another garage!

From Craig's List: "For sale is an awesome 1950 Studebaker. Runs perfect, all original, suicide doors, split windows. $5,000/OBO Call for info. Larry 831-345-1334."

Studebaker Champion Sedan - Photographs

Below are a few new photographs of our beloved Studebaker Champion. 

Studebakers For Sale on Craig's List

Below are two Studebaker Champions and one Studebaker Commander for sale on Craig's List (California only) as of July 3, 2008; the ads were copied verbatim.

Make it an amazing Independence Day with an American-made Studebaker.

1950 Studebaker Champion Sedan
"This is a 1950 Bullet Nose Champion Sedan. They only made bullet nose Studebaker’s in 2 years – 1950 & 1951. It's original from the ground up with fairly new upholstery. Call: (707) 954-1459 or (707) 954-1460"

1951 Studebaker Starlight Coupe
"1951 Studebaker, Champion, Regal, Deluxe, Star Light, 5 Passenger Coupe, complete, original, running condition, Factory rated L Head Six, 26.5 MPG. standard 3 speed , gas saver over drive, unique A-1 factory air craft turret type rear windows, rare P-38 bullet nose model, minor surface rust, nice dash, instrument panel, factory P/B radio, bango crested,steering wheel, new carburetor, generator, battery, radiator, gas tank serviced, new fuel pump, H/D battery, 5 new premium radial w.s.w. tires, stainless steel wheel rings & factory caps, back up & front parking lights, factory under seat heater- climatetizer, H/D front coil springs, original steel out side visor, California pink title, original black non- opt plates, recent major tune up, needs brakes, paint & re-upholstery, many extras, factory memorabilia, color brochure, repair & owners manual.
California Gold Country 'Old School' History. Consider $ 5950 appreciating value, may take American, vintage, auto trade, can add cash. El Dorado California, 530-677-4125, E-mail: jcenter@sbcglobal.net. Information & pictures at web site: www.desertgold.com"

1950 Studebaker Commander Sedan
"1950 Studebaker Commander all original and complete. Straight body with a couple of dents. Original paint though rusty but no cancer. Motor runs good, straight six with a 3 spd trans with over drive. Car has all it's glass and suicide rear doors and straight bumpers. Clean title last licensed in 1986. Excellent car to restore or enjoy as is. If you love Studebakers you will want to look at this one, $4,500 OBO. Need to sell. For more info or to see, call 559-816-4000"

Studebaker Champion - Magazine Articles

Below is a link to an amazing archive of magazine articles about the 1950 Studebaker Champion and 1950s Studebaker cars.

Publications include:

• Popular Science, September, 1949
• Popular Mechanics, September, 1949
• Automotive Industries, September 1, 1949
• Mechanics Illustrated, November, 1949
• Australian Monthly Motor Manual, December, 1949
• Science and Mechanics, December, 1949
• Consumer Reports, March, 1950
• Motor, March, 1950
• Popular Science, April, 1950
• Science and Mechanics, August, 1950
• Motor Trend, January, 1980
• Turning Wheels, October, 1985
• Car Collector, November, 1985
• Cars and Parts, March, 1986
• Thoroughbred and Classic Cars (from Britain), December, 1989
• Car Collector, June, 1990

See all Studebaker magazine articles.

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.

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 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.