Studes in Roadside Americana photos

[JRoberts]

[BobPalma]

From the Monday, August 29 Hemmings Blog, within a report on a Harley-Davidson Museum Special Drag Racing Exhibit, of all things!

[62champ]

This photo is buried in another thread and not a lot of people will see it there, so I wanted more visibility for it.

In the photo is the poster's grandfather who went to South Bend in December of 1961 to pick up a brand new Champ to take back to their bee keeping business in Southwest Iowa. Not too sure how many people have original photos from picking up a Champ from the factory - too cool.

[BobPalma]

That's a cool picture in #6543, Patrick; thanks. Does that truck survive?

I love old South Bend photos in which nothing but Studebakers are visible...and lots of them. Sadly, many South Bend photos of the time contain too many non-Studebakers, but not that one.

'Looks like a white Lark convertible 'way down there with snow piled on the roof; perhaps an early 1962 "Pace Car" for some promo work? 'Way cool. BP

[Bill Pressler]

That's a cool picture in #6543, Patrick; thanks. Does that truck survive?

I love old South Bend photos in which nothing but Studebakers are visible...and lots of them. Sadly, many South Bend photos of the time contain too many non-Studebakers, but not that one.

'Looks like a white Lark convertible 'way down there with snow piled on the roof; perhaps an early 1962 "Pace Car" for some promo work? 'Way cool. BP

Agreed, that is a wonderful pic! Every once in awhile, either at the May South Bend meet, or maybe I'm thinking about the international meets out there, there is a beautiful green '62 Champ that looks a good bit like this one, beautiful and original/authentic. I can't remember what state it came from.

I know people goof on Champs about the wide bed, but at least the styling of the wheel opening and horizontal crease somewhat match the cab. Except for width, I think they match the Stude cab better than the Dodge cab with which they were introduced. Remember that in '62 or so, Ford was putting the '57-60 bed on the newer-style cab, and although the width matched, none of the styling did!

[Bill Pressler]

I have to assume that's probably the same area the original owners of my old '63 Daytona Skytop, the Duginskis, took delivery of the car in Oct. '62. I wonder where exactly this was located. I'll assume Studebaker mounted the Champ owner's snow digs as part of "service for retail delivery".

[BobPalma]

I'll assume Studebaker mounted the Champ owner's snow digs as part of "service for retail delivery".

Not necessarily, Bill. They could have been (and probably were) part of the truck's specified optional equipment.

If you read very many truck Production Orders, you'll discover that there are usually three tire specifications: front, rear, and spare. Yes, that is unlike "regular" automobile Production Orders, wherein one tire specification normally suffices for all five tires and wheels. BP

[62champ]

That's a cool picture in #6543. Does that truck survive?
BP

Truck does survive and is now owned by the grandson - both now live in the Louisville area - here is the original post which has detailed info and a few more photos.

http://forum.studebakerdriversclub.com/showthread.php?p=1009864#post1009864

[JRoberts]

[JRoberts]

[JRoberts]

Another interesting photo found on The Old Motor site: http://theoldmotor.com/?p=159925

[8E45E]

I know people goof on Champs about the wide bed, but at least the styling of the wheel opening and horizontal crease somewhat match the cab. Except for width, I think they match the Stude cab better than the Dodge bed with which they were introduced.

It worked the opposite with step-side boxes in the 1970 & early 80's. They didn't match their cabs, either, regardless if it was from GM, Ford, Dodge, or International when they were still manufacturing light trucks.

Craig

[JRoberts]

[JRoberts]

This is the result of the subject Studebaker trying to fly at speed at El Mirage in 1962.

[JRoberts]