1939 Studebaker Champion

With Studebaker still in financial trouble from the Great Depression (the company actually declared bankruptcy in 1933, but financial whizzes Paul G. Hoffman and Harold S. Vance put the company back on track), Studebaker felt it was high time to introduce a low-priced car to reap the financial rewards for successful entrants in that field. However, Studebaker had tried (with the Erskine and the Rockne) and failed to successfully enter the low-priced field and some board members were worried that Studebaker would lose more money on a car that may become another unsuccessful attempt at entering a market that Studebaker was inexperienced in. The Champion, however, looked like a winner. It was somewhat small, a compact by today's standards, was light, got great gasoline mileage, and was also very roomy. It was styled by Raymond Loewy and was quite an attractive car, and was very modern looking for the day. The Champion proved to be an instant hit and was Studebaker's main offering until 1958.

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