Proud New Owner of a 1951 Champion 4 Door

[okc63avanti]

Well I did it ... I added another Studebaker into my fleet. She is the complete antithesis of my 1963 Studebaker Avanti but with both vehicles being similar crimson red (Roll Tide Roll) they will make I nice matching pair.

Here's the pictures ....

http://s429.photobucket.com/albums/q...on%204%20door/

It's a Champion with flathead six and three speed with OD. It was a very hot (near 100 degree day) drive home. I bought her from a co-worker who lives in Edmond, OK and drove her home to Mustang (34 miles) via the Kilpatrick Turnpike and managed to hit 65 MPH, I'm not sure she had much speed left in her. I need to repair/replace oil pressure, water temp, amp, and fuel guage sending units as they don't seem to be working. Speedometer bounces but the co-worker who followed me home verified my speed so its pretty close.

Now I've got a question for those on the forum who are really familiar with these cars. What model of Champion is my car? The body tag # is 10G-W5 12440 and Serial # is G1049971.

[StudeRich]

Very nice looking Car! yeah I get what you mean your Avanti will be one of the fastest Studes. and this one...well not so much!

It is a top of the line model, trim level 5. It has all of the trim except it is missing the Stainless Mouldings on the rear glass and possibly the front also.
I don't have my Parts Catalog handy to tell you it's name but it may be Regal or Regal Deluxe.

[Lou Van Anne]

Congratulations on aquiring the "one Studebaker is not enough" disease!...many of us have come down with this sickness, or could it be a defective gene?

[RadioRoy]

Congratulations on joining the ranks of bullet nose lovers!

You can put some oil in the speedometer cup, just above where the cable comes into it. You can also disconnect the cable, feed the inner cable out, and put some fine speedometer cable grease on it. That will cure the bouncing.

[Studedude]

I knew you were gonna go for it, John! Congrats!

[okc63avanti]

I knew you were gonna go for it, John! Congrats!

My thoughts on the way home ..... "Do the young kids of today know why I'm sticking my hand out the window?"

Dave - I need some new brighter bulbs, it has no directional signals and I don't think brake lights work. I'm going to look into some brighter 6V bulbs if there is such a thing. Fuel, Temp, Amp and Oil Pressure need some work as well.

[okc63avanti]

It is a top of the line model, trim level 5. It has all of the trim except it is missing the Stainless Mouldings on the rear glass and possibly the front also. I don't have my Parts Catalog handy to tell you it's name but it may be Regal or Regal Deluxe.

Can anyone else confirm what StudeRich states regarding the model trim level for me? Yes it's missing stainless trim around the windows. ..... I wonder if Mr. Burnette might be able to fix me up?

[Guido]

George Rorbach (Hi Speed Motors) should be able to assist you with your bulb needs. He sells 6V LED lights for Studebakers.

[mbstude]

Congrats John. As you know I have a '51 Champion coupe that I take care of. They're great little cars as long as you aren't in a hurry.

I have the windshield stainless, but not the rear.

[rockne10]

John,
My '51 is still 6-volt and the tail lights/brake lights are quite bright with the standard 1158 bulb. Make certain all connections are clean and tight. Paint the tail light backing fixture brite white. Physics tells us nothing reflects as well as the presence of a full spectrum. 65 with the overdrive is sustainable but not up hill. Lock out the overdrive before cresting a hill. Freewheeling the downside can take its toll on brakes that were not substantial for the weight of the car from its inception. This is not your Avanti but...lots of folks are going to get a kick out of this ride.

[okc63avanti]

I'll see you soon Matt in South Bend and would love to get your ideas on improvements for lights, turn signals, brakes or anything other pointers you might offer.

[mbstude]

Want me to bring you the windshield stainless? It's a royal PITA to install, but you may as well have it for the car anyway.

Yours for the cost of an adult beverage during a tailgating session.

[okc63avanti]

You bet Matt .... I'll buy your adult beverages all week !!!

[okc63avanti]

OK folks the seller of the car had a shoe box with receipts and I have all owners names going back to 1951. I'm the 8th owner of the car. Inside the chassis parts catalog there's a key to serial nos. and body nos.

My car was built in South Bend during 1951. The 51 Champion serials nos. started at G-1000001 and mine is G-1049971 so I guess that means that my Champion was the 49,971 built that year. The W5 on the body tag means its a (W) 4-door Sedan (W) and (5) means its a Champion Regal.

[Studedude]

You bet Matt .... I'll buy your adult beverages all week !!!

I wanna go! :-(