1955 Studebaker Champion

The 1955 Studebaker Champion lineup continued to use the same body styles as the prior year, except for the Regal two-door sedan, which was no longer offered. It was the entry-level, low-priced Studebaker model that was available in Custom, Deluxe, and Regal trim levels. The Custom trim was available as a 2- or 4-door sedan. The Deluxe and Regal both had a 4-door sedan, a 2-door coupe, and a 2-door station wagon. The Deluxe line also had a 2-door sedan, while the Regal could be purchased as a 2-door hardtop. The most popular body style was the Deluxe 4-door Sedan which found 13,621 willing buyers. The second most popular body style was the Deluxe 2-door sedan which had 7,666 sales.

The lowest-priced trim level continued to be the Custom Champion. They had painted headlights and taillight trim rings. The Deluxe Trim level had narrow stainless steel moldings and chrome window trim. The Regal had wide stainless steel windshield moldings and a rub molding that extended from the front door panel to the rear fender. The Regal sedans, coupes, and hardtops had wide side trim.

New for 1955 were wraparound windshields on the sedans and station wagons and a hood ornament became standard on all models. The Starlight and Starliner names were no longer used.

Although the Studebaker Corporation had been around since the dawn of the automobile, it did not build station wagons during most of its history. For 1954, Studebaker introduced the Conestoga two-door station wagon. The name 'Conestoga' reprised the name of Studebaker-built covered wagons that had been part of their early legacy.

The Conestoga was available in both six-cylinder Champion and V-8 Commander guise. The interior featured bench seating with accommodations for six-plus ample space for luggage.

by Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2020