1948 Champion

I am looking at purchasing a 1948 Champion.
Although I am a long time car collector and restorer I have never owned anything this old (up until now the 50's and 60's were my realm).
Can someone give me some insight to what to look for and a fair price for this beauty? Also is there any place on the web where I can research this car year/model?





Thanks.

Ivan

[65cruiser]

Ivan,

I'm sure others will chime in here with better information, but condition is everything. Is it rusty? How much are they asking for it? 1948 4-door Champions are pretty much at the bottom of the food chain as Studebaker's go, but still, they're Studebaker's!

As for the best place to get information, you ARE in the best place. Join the Studebaker Drivers Club and you'll get a great magazine with tons of info.

quote:Originally posted by ivanogburn

I am looking at purchasing a 1948 Champion.
Although I am a long time car collector and restorer I have never owned anything this old (up until now the 50's and 60's were my realm).
Can someone give me some insight to what to look for and a fair price for this beauty? Also is there any place on the web where I can research this car year/model?

________________________
Mark Anderson
1965 Cruiser

http://home.alltel.net/anderm

[65cruiser]

Ivan,

I'm sure others will chime in here with better information, but condition is everything. Is it rusty? How much are they asking for it? 1948 4-door Champions are pretty much at the bottom of the food chain as Studebaker's go, but still, they're Studebaker's!

As for the best place to get information, you ARE in the best place. Join the Studebaker Drivers Club and you'll get a great magazine with tons of info.

quote:Originally posted by ivanogburn

I am looking at purchasing a 1948 Champion.
Although I am a long time car collector and restorer I have never owned anything this old (up until now the 50's and 60's were my realm).
Can someone give me some insight to what to look for and a fair price for this beauty? Also is there any place on the web where I can research this car year/model?

________________________
Mark Anderson
1965 Cruiser

http://home.alltel.net/anderm

[ivanogburn]

There is a little rust and the asking price is $2500.
Car starts and runs okay but needs to be restored.

If "1948 4-door Champions are pretty much at the bottom of the food chain as Studebaker's go", then what is at the top of the food chain?

I know why I would like the car, what specail Studebaker evils am I unaware of? As an example - I bought a 1959 Edsel years ago and later found out that restoring it was a nightmare because parts were impossible to find and no one wanted to buy it years later when I was ready to sell! - Oh yea and it drove like a tank!

I am thinking a '48 has got to be simpler than a '59. I am currently restoring a '68 Galaxie and found its parts are non-existant also and it is just new enough that working on it is bear (too much stuff crammed in tight places!). Can I find parts for this car? The fact that it is still around must say something for the car!

Thanks.

Ivan

[ivanogburn]

There is a little rust and the asking price is $2500.
Car starts and runs okay but needs to be restored.

If "1948 4-door Champions are pretty much at the bottom of the food chain as Studebaker's go", then what is at the top of the food chain?

I know why I would like the car, what specail Studebaker evils am I unaware of? As an example - I bought a 1959 Edsel years ago and later found out that restoring it was a nightmare because parts were impossible to find and no one wanted to buy it years later when I was ready to sell! - Oh yea and it drove like a tank!

I am thinking a '48 has got to be simpler than a '59. I am currently restoring a '68 Galaxie and found its parts are non-existant also and it is just new enough that working on it is bear (too much stuff crammed in tight places!). Can I find parts for this car? The fact that it is still around must say something for the car!

Thanks.

Ivan

[Carl Purdy]

I just finished a 48 and had no problems in finding parts. There is still plenty out there. I like the sucide back doors. I was looking for a 1941 Commander Crusing sedan when I found this business coupe. Looks like it don't need much. AND they are easy to work on.


7G-Q1 49 2R12 10G-F5 56B-D4 56B-F2
As soon as you find a product you like they will stop making it.

[Carl Purdy]

I just finished a 48 and had no problems in finding parts. There is still plenty out there. I like the sucide back doors. I was looking for a 1941 Commander Crusing sedan when I found this business coupe. Looks like it don't need much. AND they are easy to work on.


7G-Q1 49 2R12 10G-F5 56B-D4 56B-F2
As soon as you find a product you like they will stop making it.

[Anne F. Goodman]

I bought a 1949 4 door bad interior ran but smoked a little new tires needed brake work, Windshield for 1600. last year if that helps. Since then 1500.1n upholstery. 1200 for a 185 engine well you get the picture . Ya gotta Love them

Mabel 1949 Champion
1957 Silverhawk
1955 Champion 4Dr.Regal
Gus 1958 Transtar
Fresno,Ca

[Anne F. Goodman]

I bought a 1949 4 door bad interior ran but smoked a little new tires needed brake work, Windshield for 1600. last year if that helps. Since then 1500.1n upholstery. 1200 for a 185 engine well you get the picture . Ya gotta Love them

Mabel 1949 Champion
1957 Silverhawk
1955 Champion 4Dr.Regal
Gus 1958 Transtar
Fresno,Ca

[Swifster]

quote:Originally posted by ivanogburn

There is a little rust and the asking price is $2500.
Car starts and runs okay but needs to be restored.

If "1948 4-door Champions are pretty much at the bottom of the food chain as Studebaker's go", then what is at the top of the food chain?

Top of the 'food chain' would be convertibles, and this is probably true with any make. Next would be hardtops, coupes, upmarket models like the Commander or President, etc. Four doors of almost any make are usually at the bottom of the desirablity list.

As for parts, Studebakers are far better than most vintage cars. Vendors that specialize in Studebaker are pretty well stocked, even with late '40's stuff. The engines were basically the same for over 20 years. And stuff that can't be bought new can usually be found in good used condition.

Unlike the Big 3, there isn't a space need to supply parts anymore and no reason to throw these parts away. I'm sure Ford looked at the Edsel and Galaxie parts and didn't see the need to keep them. In the world of Studebaker, no one throws anything away . I restored a '62 Dodge Lancer 20+ years ago, and what a pain. NOS was extremely limited and the used parts over priced. Unpopular cars are a two edged sword. On one hand, parts may not be completely drained from the pipeline. On the other, no one will be making reproductions either.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tom - Valrico, FL

1964 Studebaker Daytona

[Swifster]

quote:Originally posted by ivanogburn

There is a little rust and the asking price is $2500.
Car starts and runs okay but needs to be restored.

If "1948 4-door Champions are pretty much at the bottom of the food chain as Studebaker's go", then what is at the top of the food chain?

Top of the 'food chain' would be convertibles, and this is probably true with any make. Next would be hardtops, coupes, upmarket models like the Commander or President, etc. Four doors of almost any make are usually at the bottom of the desirablity list.

As for parts, Studebakers are far better than most vintage cars. Vendors that specialize in Studebaker are pretty well stocked, even with late '40's stuff. The engines were basically the same for over 20 years. And stuff that can't be bought new can usually be found in good used condition.

Unlike the Big 3, there isn't a space need to supply parts anymore and no reason to throw these parts away. I'm sure Ford looked at the Edsel and Galaxie parts and didn't see the need to keep them. In the world of Studebaker, no one throws anything away . I restored a '62 Dodge Lancer 20+ years ago, and what a pain. NOS was extremely limited and the used parts over priced. Unpopular cars are a two edged sword. On one hand, parts may not be completely drained from the pipeline. On the other, no one will be making reproductions either.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tom - Valrico, FL

1964 Studebaker Daytona

[Randy_G]

When it comes to restoring any old car from the big three if it doesn't start with MUSCLE you are going to have a very difficult time in finding parts for it. I am amazed that I can find parts for my 1959 Lark easier than I can 1986 Monte Carlo SS. Good Luck on your new purchase if you decide to make the plunge.

Randy_G
1959 Lark Sedan

https://www.AutomotiveHistoryOnline.com

[Randy_G]

When it comes to restoring any old car from the big three if it doesn't start with MUSCLE you are going to have a very difficult time in finding parts for it. I am amazed that I can find parts for my 1959 Lark easier than I can 1986 Monte Carlo SS. Good Luck on your new purchase if you decide to make the plunge.

Randy_G
1959 Lark Sedan

https://www.AutomotiveHistoryOnline.com

[ivanogburn]

Thanks everyone - for the words of encouragemenr.
It seems no matter what I pick - it will be the. odd man out.
I guess that must mean that I have odd taste. But what does that say for my wife!


I have always been attracted to '40s model autos with their rounded features - I have just never had the courage to take the plunge.

Again thanks to everyone.


Thanks.

Ivan

[ivanogburn]

Thanks everyone - for the words of encouragemenr.
It seems no matter what I pick - it will be the. odd man out.
I guess that must mean that I have odd taste. But what does that say for my wife!


I have always been attracted to '40s model autos with their rounded features - I have just never had the courage to take the plunge.

Again thanks to everyone.


Thanks.

Ivan