1951 Studebaker Champion Business Coupe

The Studebaker Champion is an automobile which was produced by the Studebaker Corporation of South Bend, Indiana, from the beginning of the 1939 model year until 1958. It was a full-size car in its first three generations and a mid-size car in its fourth and fifth generation models, serving as the junior model to the Commander.

This vehicle has a 2 door coupé body style with a front mounted engine supplying power to the rear wheels. The Studebaker Champion Business Coupé is one of the 10G range of cars from Studebaker. With 435hp and 400 lb./ft. of torque, the new choice of powerplant far surpasses the Champion’s original 85hp produced by the 170ci inline-six’s engine. To corral all those horses, a Performance Automatic transmission is bridled by a Lokar shifter. Any noise and fumes find their way beyond the curved back glass by way of a 2 1/2-inch aluminized steel exhaust featuring DynoMax mufflers.

Peeking inside you will now find a 1950 Ford dash, which has been shortened 7-inches and fitted with Dakota Digital black faced analog gauges. The console is custom made to mimic the shape of the car’s front fenders, and sits between seats taken from a Kia. The cabin is done up in black upholstery and carpet, plus you will also find custom door panels, a third brake light made from a pair of 1939 Chevy taillights, and an Ididit tilt steering column topped with a 1955 Chevy steering wheel. Vents for the Vintage Air system and controls for the air ride system are incorporated into the lower dash panel, and a skull shifter now adds to the retro cool theme.

Even the Lokar shifter adds character to the car.

Studebaker’s post-WWII business philosophy was based upon innovation on a budget, so they built affordable cars with a unique design, a concept that was abundantly clear during the Bullet Nose years. The Bullet Nose Studeys had a large circular front grill that intentionally resembled a jet engine intake because the cars were built during the early years of jet planes.