Studebaker Champion

Fourth generation
1954 Regal Starliner hardtop coupe
Overview
Production	1953–1956
Body and chassis
Class	Mid-size car
Body style	2-door sedan 4-door sedan 2-door coupe 4-door station wagon 2-door station wagon
Layout	FR layout
Powertrain
Engine	169.6 cu in (2,779 cc) L-head I6[6] 185.6 cu in (3,041 cc) L-head I6[7]
Dimensions
Wheelbase	coupes & hardtops: 120.5 in (3,061 mm) sedans: 116.5 in (2,959 mm)[3]
Length	coupes & hardtops: 202.2 in (5,136 mm) sedans: 198.6 in (5,044 mm)
Width	coupes & hardtops: 71 in (1,803 mm) sedans: 69.5 in (1,765 mm)

In 1953, Studebaker was redesigned by Robert Bourke from Raymond Loewy's design studio ("the Loewy Coupe" or "Low Boy"). The 2-door coupe with a central pillar was called the Starlight, while the more expensive hardtop coupe was called the Starliner. In addition to the Loewy Coupe, there was also a 2-door sedan based on a shortened 4-door sedan. The 2-door sedan has a taller profile, and the back side windows in the 2-door sedans are noticeably bigger than the windows in the Loewy Coupe. The Loewy Coupe is substantially more collectible than the 2-door sedans. Although similar, the body pieces on the 2 cars are not interchangeable. The front end of the new Champion was lower than contemporaries and shares an appearance with the Citroen DS.

No convertible was offered in 1953. However, in late 1952 Studebaker produced one prototype of a 1953 Commander convertible to determine whether the model could be profitably mass-produced.^[8] The car was based on the 1953 2-door Starliner hardtop. The car was later modified to 1954 model specifications and was occasionally driven around South Bend by engineers. Additional structural reinforcements were needed to reduce body flexure. Even though the car was equipped with the 232 cu in (3.80 L) V8, the added structural weight increased the car's 0–60 mph acceleration time to an unacceptable level. In addition, the company did not have the financial resources to add another body type to the model line. The company's leadership mistakenly thought that the 2-door sedans, 4-door sedans, and 1954 Conestoga wagon (described below) would sell better than the 2-door coupes, so the company's resources were focused on the production of the sedans and the wagon.

When the prototype convertible was no longer needed, engineer E. T. Reynolds ordered the car to be stripped and the body sent to the secret graveyard at the company's proving grounds west of South Bend. A non-engineering employee requested permission to purchase the complete car, rather than see it rot away at the proving grounds with other, earlier prototypes of other cars and trucks. Chief engineer Gene Hardig discussed the request with E. T. Reynolds. They agreed to let the employee purchase the car on the condition that the employee never sell it. In the 1970s, the car was rediscovered behind a South Bend gas station and no longer owned by the former employee. It has been through several owners and paint colors.^[9]

In 1954, a new 2-door station wagon called the Conestoga was added to the product line.^[10] Power of the L-head inline-six remained unchanged at 85 hp (63 kW), although in 1955 this was replaced by a larger version with 101 hp (75 kW). Also for 1955 the Starlight/Starliner labels were dropped, and a wraparound windshield was introduced.^[6] The 1956 Champion sedans received very different bodywork, with pronounced "eyebrows" over the headlights and large tailfins. The coupes received the new Hawk-style bodywork with a centrally placed square grille reminiscent of a period Mercedes-Benz.^[7]

The streamlined shape of the Loewy coupes made them popular with land speed racing competitors, both in their stock configuration and modified with chopped tops and other modifications to make them even more streamlined.^{[11][12][13][14]}

• 
  1953 Studebaker Champion Starlight Coupe
• 
  1954 Studebaker Champion Deluxe 4-Door Sedan
• 
  1954 Studebaker Champion Conestoga Station Wagon
• 
  1955 Studebaker Champion Regal 4-door Sedan
• 
  1956 Studebaker Champion 4-door Sedan

Fifth generation
1957 Champion 4-door sedan
Overview
Production	1957–1958
Body and chassis
Class	Mid-size car
Body style	2-door sedan 4-door sedan 2-door coupe 4-door station wagon 2-door convertible
Layout	FR layout
Powertrain
Engine	185 cu in (3.0 L) L-head I6 289 cu in (4.7 L) OHV V8
Dimensions
Wheelbase	sedans & station wagons: 116.5 in (2,959 mm)
Length	sedans & station wagons: 202.4 in (5,141 mm)
Width	sedans & station wagons: 75.8 in (1,925 mm)

In 1957, the Champion Scotsman, a stripped-down Champion, was introduced in an attempt to compete with the “Big Three” (General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler) as well as Nash in the low-price field. Shortly after its introduction, the model was renamed Studebaker Scotsman.

Two engines were available, a 185 cu in (3.0 L) 101 hp (75 kW; 102 PS) "Sweepstakes" L-head I6, or a 289 cu in (4.7 L) 210 hp (157 kW; 213 PS) "Sweepstakes" OHV V8.^[3]

• 
  1957 Studebaker Champion DeLuxe 4-Door Sedan
• 
  1957 Scotsman by Studebaker
• 
  1958 Studebaker Champion 4-Door Sedan
• 
  1958 Champion 4-door sedan

• Maloney, James H. (1994). Studebaker Cars. Crestline Books. ISBN 0-87938-884-6.
• Langworth, Richard (1979). Studebaker, the Postwar Years. Motorbooks International. ISBN 0-87938-058-6.
• Gunnell, John, ed. (1987). The Standard Catalog of American Cars 1946-1975. Krause Publications. ISBN 0-87341-096-3.
• Reminiscence from the 1985 Interview with Audrey Moore Hodges

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