Sedan differences???

[Chris_Dresbach]

I was looking through some of my 1940 sales literature and noticed something, some champions were listed as "Two door sedans" or "Club Sedan" etc. Other than the obvious (like two door and four door models) what exactly is the difference between a regular two door sedan and a club sedan (and other Champion terms)???
Thanks.

[(S)]

Chris, most early cars did not matter; sedan or whatever. The big difference was Champion or Commander. Long nose/short nose,different hood, fenders, frame thickness on some, brakes etc. to stop, steer, on the larger cars vs the small ones. A lot of the rear body sections were the same.

Trim levels meant interiors were more plush, more chrome here and there.....

I am no expert, if you have a specific question on what fits I have to go to the books for some of it.

[Corvanti]

I was looking through some of my 1940 sales literature and noticed something, some champions were listed as "Two door sedans" or "Club Sedan" etc. Other than the obvious (like two door and four door models) what exactly is the difference between a regular two door sedan and a club sedan (and other Champion terms)???
Thanks.

hi chris, maybe this will help:

champion custom models
3 passenger coupe........ $715
5 passenger opera coupe $750
club sedan.................. $755
cruising sedan.............. $795

champion deluxe models
3 passenger coupe.........$760
5 passenger opera coupe.$795
club sedan....................$800
cruising sedan...............$840 (mine)

this came from a small pamphlet: "Studebaker Salon" delivered prices, effective sept. 28, 1939. Boston, Mass. - it was in my owner's manual when i got the car...

so, like (S) said, basically trim options and different standard equipment...

hope this helps...

[ddub]

To answer your specific question, the club sedan was the term Studebaker was using for a two door sedan.

[rockne10]

So, the "Cruising Sedan" was a four door?

[Corvanti]

i think so, but i know it had more standard equipment...
if i remember how to do it , i'll scan that pamphlet from the previous post, w/the additional info tomorrow...

[Jessie J.]

The 'Club Sedan' was a rather special and unique 2 dr sedan rear body configuration with shorter rear compartment and a roof-line that smoothly flared into the rear deck/luggage compartment similar to a coupe body.
A very attractive body-style, kind of like the final Studebaker version of early 30's 'Victoria' bodies, all are identifiable by their 'close-coupled' cabin and unique trunk configurations.
A little searching ought to turn up photos. I have seen quite a few over the years in TW as I recall.

Opps! excusee! I see that you wrote 'Champion', and what I was describing pertains to the Commmander and President 'Club Sedan' body styles.

[bob40]

My avatar is the remains of a 1939 club sedan.Seeing one up close it's easy to spot the differences.

[41 Frank]

Yes the cruising sedan is a four door model.

So, the "Cruising Sedan" was a four door?

[8E45E]

So, the "Cruising Sedan" was a four door?

In 1941/42, the Cruising Sedan had suicide rear doors (W body), and the Commanders and Presidents with rear doors hinged on the B-pillar was the Land Cruiser (B body).

Craig

[Chris_Dresbach]

To answer your specific question, the club sedan was the term Studebaker was using for a two door sedan.

So, would that make mine a "Club Sedan"?

[Corvanti]

finally got to the scanner today, after working on step-son's "fire-turd" exhaust this weekend... here's the pamphlet that was in my owner's manual: (thumbnails, click to enlarge)...

[M15 Trucker]

IIRC the two door sedan has a wheel base of 110", the two door club sedan and four door sedan have a wheel base of 122". In other words the regular two door sedan had much horter leg room than the two door club sedan. Richard Quinn please correct me if I'm wrong.

Mike

[Chris_Dresbach]

IIRC the two door sedan has a wheel base of 110", the two door club sedan and four door sedan have a wheel base of 122". In other words the regular two door sedan had much horter leg room than the two door club sedan. Richard Quinn please correct me if I'm wrong.
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Mike

I'm not sure what the wheel base is on mine. The first photo is a Commander.

[Corvanti]

finally found this info on the '40 Studebakers - 2G is the Champion... (might need to double-click on the thumbnail to read the small print).