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1951 Champion production order
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It is not unusual for a 1951 Champion to be built with few, if any, options or accessories. This car does have overdrive, Hill Holder and wet air cleaner. Anything else that it may have now was added by the dealer or an owner.
EDIT: Also note that it was built on June 14, 1951 and is not noted as a sold unit. It looks like it was just build-out for stock near the end of the model year.Gary L.
Wappinger, NY
SDC member since 1968
Studebaker enthusiast much longer
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You have to remember that people in those Days were much more conservative than people today, and Studebaker buyers even more so. Most still remembering their Parents' shock and fear of another 1929 Stock Crash and following depression.
Since that was the case, it would be detrimental to getting an "easy sale" to have Cars on the Lot, Loaded driving the Cost up.
It was a much smarter option to only add what the buyer wanted at the Sale, and that often did not even include a Climatizer Heating and Defrosting System!StudeRich
Second Generation Stude Driver,
Proud '54 Starliner Owner
SDC Member Since 1967
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My Dad, a long time new Studebaker purchaser, would never purchase a car with a radio. Our last new Studebaker, a 1964 Commander, also had radio delete. I was happy it had a heater!sigpic1957 Packard Clipper Country Sedan
"There's nothing stronger than the heart of a volunteer"
Lt. Col. Jimmy Doolittle
"I have a great memory for forgetting things" Number 1 son, Lee Chan
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Originally posted by studegary View PostIt is not unusual for a 1951 Champion to be built with few, if any, options or accessories. This car does have overdrive, Hill Holder and wet air cleaner. Anything else that it may have now was added by the dealer or an owner.
EDIT: Also note that it was built on June 14, 1951 and is not noted as a sold unit. It looks like it was just build-out for stock near the end of the model year.
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Originally posted by paul shuffleburg View PostI have a South Bend 51 Commander with a final assembly date of 6-13-51. My body number is
14928 and PHOTOGUYS body number is 10789 and had a final assembly date of 6-14-51. How
can there be such a large difference in body numbers?We've got to quit saying, "How stupid can you be?" Too many people are taking it as a challenge.
G. K. Chesterton: This triangle of truisms, of father, mother, and child, cannot be destroyed; it can only destroy those civilizations which disregard it.
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Photoguy.... Your '51 belonged to a good friend, the late Tom Elliott. It was his first car, and he kept until for about 40 years; selling it just before he passed away.
He joined SDC in the 70s and spent most of his adult life traveling to every big Studebaker car show and swap meet for the sole purpose of purchasing every NOS 51 part he could find, mostly accessories. He loaded the car up with options over the years, though he never got around to restoring it as he was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease shortly after he retired.
One of my favorite memories is getting that car running for the first time in two decades, and cruising around in it with Tom behind the wheel, while he was still physically able to do so.
Now you know a little more of the back story. I hope you've given the car a great home.
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Dealers usually do as little as possible, or spend as little money as possible to doll up a trade in. They will detail and polish the car, but probably not change the oil or lube the front suspension.
Paint and chrome sell a car. Mechanical work? Who cares?RadioRoy, specializing in AM/FM conversions with auxiliary inputs for iPod/satellite/CD player. In the old car radio business since 1985.
10G-C1 - 51 Champion starlight coupe
4H-K5 - 53 Commander starliner hardtop
5H-D5 - 54 Commander Conestoga wagon
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