1947 Studebaker champion 3 seater

[dekcan]

I am in need of some help from anyone who might have rear interior pictures of a 47 champion 3 seater, also I have heard it called a gentleman's sedan or business man's coupe. I am helping my father get his restored to as original a possible, but a previous owner had the rear area modified and had a seat installed. My dad said originally it was not suppose to have one. I have been looking for months to try and find pictures for our restorer and no luck. I would appreciate any help or for that matter advice on where I might find information on how it should look.

[Transtar56]

I owned and drove a 47 Champion in the summers for many years,its still owned by a local SDC member of our chapter.He hasn't changed a thing since I sold it 15 years ago.
Unfortunately not many pics have survived and none of the interior.But I remember it well.Behind the seat was just a leather curtain that hung from the rear deck lid to the floor.It was sort of like an old blind as it had a wooden weight at the bottom as I recall.You could reach right through the leather curtain into the huge trunk from the captains chair and grab a cold beverage(G)

[Transtar56]

Ive always called them Business coupes,or theee passenger coupes.

[Roscomacaw]

They actualy had a large, wood shelf that covered that whole area behind the seats. Natuarlly, it was semi-circle shaped to conform that that area. Then, as Robert says, there was a flap, or "curtain", that hung down from the front edge of the shelf (right behind the seat backs). This allowed you to reach in behind the seat backs into that cavernous rear area (if you didn't want to go thru the deck lid). The "curtains" I've seen were actualy leatherette vinyl, but I suppose it could have been either.
Most folks called them business coupes because that body style was popular with the now extinct, door-to-door salesmen of that era. That large rear area would hold alot of wares to peddle. In truth, such business was on the wane after WWII. That's why Stude dropped the "business coupes" after the 1951 model year.

Miscreant at large.

1957 Transtar 1/2ton
1960 Larkvertible V8
1958 Provincial wagon
1953 Commander coupe
1957 President 2-dr
1955 President State
1951 Champion Biz cpe
1963 Daytona project FS

[Dwain G.]

I had a '50 Champion business coupe when I was a young sailor boy. I remember seeing a '47-'49 in a wrecking yard in the early '60's that had a rear seat installed. It looked so correct and well-fitted that I thought it was a factory option and that I should get one for my car. Wrecked the car first though

Dwain G.

[LittleJoe]

quote:Originally posted by dekcan

I am in need of some help from anyone who might have rear interior pictures of a 47 champion 3 seater, also I have heard it called a gentleman's sedan or business man's coupe. I am helping my father get his restored to as original a possible, but a previous owner had the rear area modified and had a seat installed. My dad said originally it was not suppose to have one. I have been looking for months to try and find pictures for our restorer and no luck. I would appreciate any help or for that matter advice on where I might find information on how it should look.

I have a 48 champion Business coupe, and everything is original ...maby i can take a few pictures and post them for you....Or if your near Western Pennsylvania you can look for your self..