Frame / Springs: Champion VS Land Cruiser VS Star light coupe

[jeffrey]

Hello all

I'm new to the Studebaker forum and have been increasingly interested in the 50 and 51 models. But My research has left me with a couple of questions
1) correct me if I am wrong as far as I can find the Land cruiser is the only model that came with a V8 ??
2) both the Starlight coupe and the Champion were NOT offered with a V8.??
3) can any one tell me if the Starlight coupe and the Champion frames were the same as the V8 Land Cruiser??

Thanks for your Study knowledge

Jeff

[studegary]

Welcome to the SDC Forum.

You are confusing series with models. Champion and Commander are the two series. There are many body styles in both series, such as the Starlight coupe. The Land Cruiser is only in the Commander series. The regular two and four door sedans are offered in both series.

For engines - 1950: both Champion and Commander used flathead, inline six cylinder engines. The Commander engine was larger (displacement and HP).
1951: Champion used the same six as in 1950. All Commanders, including the Land Cruiser used an OHV V8 engine.

[2moredoors]

I believe that the Land Cruiser had a longer wheel base than the Commander.

[rockne10]

Welcome to the forum, Jeffrey!
1950 Commander wheelbase was 120; 1950 Land Cruiser wheelbase was 124. Both used the L-head 245 CID six (Commander Six, last year for this engine in automobiles, still installed in trucks through 1961; not to be confused with the Big Six prior to 1935). 1950 Champion wheelbase was 113 and used the 170 CID L-head six Champion engine introduced in 1937.
The 1951 Commanders wheelbase was 115, Land Cruiser was 119. Both used the new 232 OHV V-8. 1951 Champion became 115 wheelbase but still sported the 170 CID Champion Six.
The Starlight Coupe was a body style available in both the Commander and Champion Models (not Land Cruiser, which was strictly a stretched high end four door). The Starlight was a two-door five passenger coupe. From '47 through '52 it had the iconic rear turret wraparound windows, often thought of as the "quintessential" Studebaker.

[TWChamp]

Land Cruisers are easy to spot because they had rear door vent windows and 4" added to the rear doors and mid section of the car. The 1950 Land Cruiser with 124" had lots of rear seat leg room.

As mentioned, Studebakers first V8 came out in 1951 and was 232 cubic inch. I have a 1952 Land Cruiser, and it's amazing the power that 232 has. Studebaker not only built wonderful cars, but great engines as well.

1950 was Studebaker's peak sales year.