1951 Studebaker Champion

Studebaker became the first major American manufacturer to announce an all-new design, in May of 1946, with the introduction of its 1947 range. The design was created by Raymond Loewy and Virgil Exner, featuring a straight-through front wing line and lowered bonnets. The Starlight Coupes had a wrap-around rear window. The company introduced another landmark automotive styling feature for 1950 in the form of a 'Bullet Nose' that was clearly influenced by the coming of the 'Jet Age.'

The 1951 Studebaker Champion was the company's entry-level series offered in Custom, Deluxe, and Regal trim levels. Bodystyles consisted of the 2- and 4-door sedan, coupe, and starlight coupe. The Regal Line added a convertible. Power was from an L-head six-cylinder engine displacing 169.6 cubic inches and delivering 85 horsepower. The wheelbase measured 119 inches and had an overall length of 197.5 inches. A three-speed manual transmission with a column-mounted gearshift was standard, with overdrive being a $92 option. Automatic Drive was a $201 option.

Changes for the 1951 Studebaker Champion included a plastic centerpiece on the 'bullet nose,' and the outer section was painted body color. All body styles received the one-piece curved windshields, and the former two-piece rear window on two- and four-door sedans became a one-piece unit. The prior 'Regal Deluxe' trim name was now just called 'Regal.'

The base trim level was the Custom Line which was distinguished by its painted headlight and taillight trim rings. The Deluxe models had chrome headlights and taillight trim rings. The Regal had the chrome headlight and taillight trim rings, and stainless steel rocker panel moldings.

Total 1951 Studebaker Champion production reached 144,236 examples which accounted for nearly 59-percent of Studebaker's 246,195 sales.

by Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2019