1949 Champion Regal.

[gagecrib]

What is the difference between a Champion, and a Champion Regal?
I have a 1949 4 door sedan and I dont know the difference. Could you guys please fill me in?
Thanks

[rockne10]

Trim level. Champions were Champions. Trim levels could be Custom, Deluxe or Regal. More chrome and stainless, vinyl seats or cloth, rubber floor mat or carpet, etc.
Post the numbers from your body tag (underhood firewall, passenger side). Can tell you what you've got.

[gagecrib]

The numbers are...
8GW5 18764
Thanks in advance for an answer
Gagecrib... Jerry

[kurtruk]

8G indicates '49 Champion
W indicates 4dr sedan
5 indicates Regal Deluxe (highest trim level)

KURTRUK
(read it backwards)

[rockne10]

quotehighest trim level)

Always a plus, unless you are paying for the re-chrome.[)]
The 18764 is simply the 18764th Champion four door body to come from the body shop in any trim level; no stature intended.

Brad Johnson
Pine Grove Mills, Pa.
'33 Rockne 10, '51 Commander Starlight, '53 Commander Starlight

[gagecrib]

Got another question... The bullet shaped trim piece on the front fenders, in front of the tires,with amber lenses (Which my car has.).
What gives with them? Looking at pictures of Studebakers there seem to be no corelation between model name and weather or not they are present.
Again ...
Thanks for info
Gagecrib

[jclary]

Those little fender spears are just little trim trinkets that could have come from the factory or dealer added. I have them on my '48 business coupe. Originally they didn't light up but mine do...and without a light bulb in them.

John Clary
Greer, SC

Life... is what happens as you are making plans.
SDC member since 1975

[rockne10]

Don't confuse model name with trim level. Most Champions were not ordered with Regal Deluxe trim. Yours was. It's going to have the extra jewelry but, underneath, it's still the same Champion as the rest of them.
Back then, as it is today, a purchaser's budget would allow them to order a low price Champion with all the jewelry or the larger, more powerful Commander with a low end trim level. Sometimes the bling tipped the decision.
Then there were those who could afford the Commander, with all it's available bling, but couldn't quite afford the Land Cruiser, which came with all the bling standard and an extra four inches in the wheelbase.
Those who could consider the Land Cruiser could also probably consider a Packard or Cadillac.