NOS - New Old Stock - Studebaker Champion Fuel Gauge

There's something special about New Old Stock merchandise, also known as "NOS." NOS is merchandise that was manufactured long ago, but that’s never been used and is now being offered for sale.

We installed a NOS Studebaker Champion fuel gauge in our Champion. In addition to having a working fuel gauge, we now have the old gauge and the original box – which oozes history. You can envision boxes of Studebaker parts being packaged and shipped to dealerships across America.

Pictured above: NOS, Studebaker Champion Fuel Gauge, Part #526717

Studebaker Champion Radio - Philco Model S-5123

I read that a Studebaker Drivers Club member was going to crush a '50 Champion that was too far gone. The Stude's viable bits were available for sale, so I picked up a wiper knob and a Studebaker Philco Model S-5123 radio in non-working order. I plan to bring the radio to Ray's Auto Stereo in Sacramento, CA to see if they can revive the classic radio. Ray's specializes in 1930s and later classic radio restoration and repair.

If there's no way to bring the radio back to life, I'm going to strip out its innards and install an amp, speaker and MP3 jack - maintaining the original aesthetic while updating the radio for conventional use.































Photos from The Village Peddler of Hixton LLC.

How Studebaker Came Not to Be

Hemmings has a scan of a fascinating article about the rise and demise of Studebaker. It's a sad tale for us Studebaker fans, but definitely worth a read.

Read the article about Studebaker Corporation on Hemmings.com now.

Lost Studebaker Dealerships

There is an interesting blog post on Hemmings about the church-turned-Studebaker-dealer below.

"The church at 143 W. 48th St. just south of Central Park once housed the First Church of Christ, Scientist, but by 1908, when Bain took this photo, Studebaker (which began automotive production in 1902) had converted it into a garage."

See the Hemmings' Blog about this photo.

New York Times Collectible Cars

We made it big time. Doc was accepted into the Collectible Cars section of the New York Times website. Perhaps everyone's car gets accepted, we don't know, but the fact is that our famed Studebaker Champion lives on NYTimes.com.

See our Studebaker Champion on the New York Times website.

Studebaker Champion Sedan - Photographs

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

Studebaker Truck - Sacramento

My love of Studebaker was reignited by the Studebaker truck below. This Stude is parked in Curtis Park, Sacramento, 24/7. I've also seen its driver maneuvering it up Highway 80; it was a picturesque event with this old Stude breezing past farms and over the floodplain.













Studebaker inspiration












Our 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.