Found 1962 Champ

[Kowmedic]

Found 62 Champ.
I'm going back to take a deeper look and hopefully a test drive. As I'm new to the Studebaker world looking for insight on problem areas, areas of concern with these trucks. This one seems to be in pretty darn good shape, the seller is the son of the second owner, this truck has been in the family since the early seventies. They replaced the six cylinder when they bought it with the 259 that is in the truck now. Truck appears to have 50,000 miles, the seller thinks this engine probably only has about 15,000 miles. If anyone has any input I would like to be a little better prepared when I go back to see this truck.

Thanks Mike.

[62champ]

Primary concern would be rust. #1 problem area is floor. Lowest part of the floor is up against the kick panels. That is also the point where the front of the cab is bolted to frame outriggers. When they rust out, the front of the cab will sag and cause other issues.

Replacement floor pans are being remade, but if you don’t have to replace them, you are that much further ahead. Good luck and keep us posted.

[Kowmedic]

Thanks very much for the response, I'm headed back over to take a deeper look at this truck in an hour. It has a bubble of rust on the upper drivers side fender, and the drivers side window is cracked but still works well. The fuel pump is leaking, how difficult is it to find a replacement pump/rebuild kit? I have owned and driven quite a few oldies but goodies from Ford and Chevy, but one of my concern's here is the ability to find parts for this truck. Sorry for the "ramble" just excited by this truck.

Mike

[studegary]

Mechanical parts should be no problem. Studebaker International and Stephen Allen's are two of the largest vendors.

[showbizkid]

Kowmedic , are considering buying this truck yourself? If so, this should be in another channel. Please let me know.

[Commander Eddie]

I own a '61 Champ and never have a problem getting parts. I really like my Champ and drive it a lot. It is very solid and dependable.

[Kowmedic]

Thanks everyone for the response, I got called back into work and haven't talked to the seller in a few days. Yes I am looking at buying this for myself, sorry for putting this in the wrong forum. So I have driven the truck, it runs like a top. The only rust underneath is the left front cab mount is rusted through, and the rust bubbles on both front fenders. Interior is in great shape, the remainder of the sheet metal also in very good shape.

[62champ]

Keep us posted and good luck. And unless you are really attached to orange, the grill, signal light housing, headlight rings and front bumper would have been an off-white color from the factory.

[8E45E]

And unless you are really attached to orange, the grill, signal light housing, headlight rings and front bumper would have been an off-white color from the factory.

Not necessarily. There were some fleet orders with 'all orange' paint. I believe there is a small photo of one that is monochrome orange in the March, 2012, Turning Wheels. Of course the Production Order will tell us if it was originally painted a fleet color.

Craig