Champion plugs special packaged for Studebaker... late '50s?

[62champ]

Made it to SI for their Boxing day blowout and probably walked each aisle at least two to three times - as my wife would say - shopping by the spirit. Found three larger boxes that contained these smaller boxes of Champion spark plugs. I know Champion had a long relationship with Studebaker, but did not realize they packaged items exclusively for Studebaker. Anyone estimate when these would have been new?

Plugs are super fuzzy with rust and probably useless, but I liked the look of the box and bought two of them... Box top would make a cool T-shirt.

[(S)]

Boxes/labels changed through the years. I call those with the S-P V the 1957 style.

[raprice]

That's a special find. I didn't know about the relationship between Studebaker and Champion Spark Plugs.
Rog

[StudeRich]

That's a special find. I didn't know about the relationship between Studebaker and Champion Spark Plugs. Rog

There were a very many "Relationships" like that. You see Dana Spicer relabeled Studebaker and Part Number "U" Joints, Spider Gear Kits, Ring & Pinions, Carter Carb. Parts, Delco Parts, Prestolite Parts pretty much every purchased part on the Cars and Trucks were purchased aftermarket and during production for resale as replacement Parts, many in the Original Supplier's Box, re-part numbered "Studebaker".

In Champion's case that was the ONLY Spark Plug they EVER used!

Almost like the Standard Tire at South Bend was always Firestone, but in that case they kept the relationship going with the backup vendors: Good Year, Dunlop, U.S. Royal (Dominion Royal in Canada), etc. by buying very limited numbers.

The H10 is a Non-extended Tip, Cold Plug for Supercharged 289's and not the Normal Non-Supercharged 1955 to '64, H-14Y extended ground electrode (Tip).

The Years that labeling was used starting in 1954 with the Packard buyout/merger to 1962 when the Packard Name ended, but would be used to the end or until gone, which on that slow selling Supercharger & High Performance use Only item, obviously never was.

[StudeNewby]

Almost like the Standard Tire at South Bend was always Firestone, but in that case they kept the relationship going with the backup vendors: Good Year, Dunlop, U.S. Royal (Dominion Royal in Canada), etc. by buying very limited numbers.

Interesting...I was not aware that Firestone was the primary tire provider. Since my dad's '61 Lark had come equipped with Dunlops, I had always assumed that they were the tire brand of choice.

[HAWK64]

My 1965 Champion catalogue linked to Studebaker lists the 531485 carton with H10 plugs is for the 1957 Golden Hawk plus V8 Trucks from 1954 to 1964.

[HOXXOH]

There were a very many "Relationships" like that. You see Dana Spicer relabeled Studebaker and Part Number "U" Joints, Spider Gear Kits, Ring & Pinions, Carter Carb. Parts, Delco Parts, Prestolite Parts pretty much every purchased part on the Cars and Trucks were purchased aftermarket and during production for resale as replacement Parts, many in the Original Supplier's Box, re-part numbered "Studebaker".

In Champion's case that was the ONLY Spark Plug they EVER used!

Almost like the Standard Tire at South Bend was always Firestone, but in that case they kept the relationship going with the backup vendors: Good Year, Dunlop, U.S. Royal (Dominion Royal in Canada), etc. by buying very limited numbers.

The H10 is a Non-extended Tip, Cold Plug for Supercharged 289's and not the Normal Non-Supercharged 1955 to '64, H-14Y extended ground electrode (Tip).

The Years that labeling was used starting in 1954 with the Packard buyout/merger to 1962 when the Packard Name ended, but would be used to the end or until gone, which on that slow selling Supercharger & High Performance use Only item, obviously never was.

When you mention Champion being the ONLY spark plugs Studebaker EVER used, it'd be better to identify the cars or more specifically which engines used them.

Albert Champion started producing spark plugs in 1907 with his name on them in partnership with Spencer and Frank Stranahan in Boston, MA. In 1908 William Durant, in the process of creating GM, put up funding to create the Champion Ignition Company in Flint, MI and gave 25% to Albert because of his name, knowledge, and expertise. Meanwhile, Robert and Frank Stranahan set up shop in Toledo, OH near the Willy's plant in 1910 under the name Champion Spark Plug Company. In 1922 the Champion Ignition Company name was changed to the AC Spark Plug Company.

Studebaker had partnerships with other manufacturers, Garford and EMF, who supplied chassis and engines prior to Studebaker creating their own engines.

I guess the question should be, when were cars first being produced with the Studebaker name and with Studebaker engines and which Champion company was supplying them.

Some history about the company came directly from Frank Stranahan who I had several long conversations with in 1972. I had no idea that there was a person with that last name, until he told me some of the stories.

[StudeRich]

It seems that most historians say the first "Studebaker" vehicle that was Gas Powered was the 1912 Model, so that makes from 1912 to 1966 that Champion Plugs were used.

[Milaca]

Box top would make a cool T-shirt.

I like your idea. I too think it would be a good looking graphic on a T-shirt.

[HOXXOH]

It seems that most historians say the first "Studebaker" vehicle that was Gas Powered was the 1912 Model, so that makes from 1912 to 1966 that Champion Plugs were used.

Studebaker, like every automaker and most manufacturers, bought parts and pieces from other suppliers and put their name on the finished product. Once your name is on it, you owned it. I'd even question the 65-66 Canadian built cars that used GM Canadian built engines that were shipped with AC spark plugs and doubt the factory swapped them out for Champion spark plugs before they left the factory.
I understand company relationships with other companies and don't disagree that Studebaker had one with the Champion Spark Plug Company, but I doubt your statement that they were the ONLY one they EVER used in every car with a Studebaker nameplate.