1950 Note the four blade spinner, indented lower grille, and hood lift handles.  | 1951 Note the spinner now has three blades and the two lower grilles are flush mounted, the hood lift handles are gone.  | 1952 Note the spinner is gone, and the new grille is giving us signs of what will be coming in 1953.  |
The 1950 Champion:
1950 & 51 would become the years of the Studebaker “Bullet-Nose”. This design is so iconic in Studebaker history, that lots of people think the theme lasted for more years then it did. Because of the radical departure from the late forties design, the 1950 Studebaker looks like an all new car design. But, it is actually just a face lift, with new sheet metal from the cowl forward, new rear fenders, and new tail lights. The main portions of the body, doors, and frame remained nearly the same until 1953. Referred to by the sales ad people as the “Next Look,” the design had been planned for a 1949 release, so production for the 1950 models started in early August 1949 instead of September. The spinner had been under consideration for years with the first sketches seen as early as 1941 and an actual mock-up produced in 1943. The idea preceded the 1948 Tucker and the 1949 Ford (a good portion of the Ford being developed by Holden Koto and Robert Bourke, working on their own time). Bourke was directly responsible for the 1949 Ford spinner design. Also involved, but not there when the final Studebaker release came, was Virgil Exner and Gorden Buehrig, both having significant influence. Not all of Studebaker engineering nor the dealers were early fans of the design, so the later sales success was quite unexpected.
In the image to the left, the fender ornamentation is an accessory, as are the fog lights. Note that the two lower grilles are recessed, they will be flush mounted next year. The hood ornament has a chrome part fitted with a lucite fin. The chrome hood lift handles with the finger holes under them will also be gone in 1951.Exterior:
Exterior changes are new badges, hood ornament, headlight rings, and taillights. 1949 bumpers are used, but the front is mounted on extended supports and encased in round tubes. The door handles are smooth, the grooves seen in 1947 to 1949 are removed. A “Coat of Arms” badge is placed in the hood, in the center, between the hood ornament and the “Bullet”. The Studebaker name is stamped into the bullet outer ring, with the model badge “Champion” on the side of the front fenders. Smooth moon type hubcaps with “Studebaker Champion” stamped the outer edge are new (later in the year, in some cases, the name would be removed). A smooth moon style full wheel cover with the “coat of Arms badge” in the center were optional.
Interior:
Interior changes are a new dash, with the same basic layout. The instruments are on the left, radio grille in the center, and glove box on the right. The speedometer was a half moon design, with rectangular minor gauges on either side. The optional clock is centered in the lower portion of the speedometer surround, if installed, else this area contained a gray bullet like blank. An upper dash cap extends out over the main dash section, making the lower main section look recessed.
Mechanical:
The major mechanical change is front suspension, Planar system used since 1939 is gone. A more modern coil spring and A-arm arrangement, with tubular shocks and and symmetrical steering is used (this would be a one year only design). The wheelbase is one inch longer and the engine compression is raised to 7.0 to 1, rated at 85 HP. Last, the first fully automatic transmission is released at mid-year called “Automatic Drive”, manufactured for Studebaker by Detroit Gear division of Borg Warner and available in Champions as an option.
Mid-year changes:
Painted headlight rings are now chrome on DeLuxe and Regal models. The new Custom Series is made available. Plain hubcaps (the lettering is removed) are seen on some models.
Model Line-up:
The exact same line-up seen in 1949 is initially seen. Coupe, Starlight Coupe, 2-dr Sedan, 4-dr Sedan, and Convertible (in Regal DeLuxe trim only). However, at mid-year Studebaker would add the Custom trim level.Left Photo: Early DeLuxe two door sedan, rubber gravel guard, but painted headlight rims, later they will be chrome.
Right Photo: Regal DeLuxe Convertible
Left Photo: Regal DeLuxe Star-light coupe, note the stainless rocker trim.Tells:
Custom cars (spring release) have painted headlight rings, painted taillight bezels, do not have a hood ornament or rubber/stainless steel gravel guards. The interior fabric is very plain, no arm rests, one interior sun visor, and a steering wheel borrowed from the 2R pickup. A new metal horn button medallion, but no horn ring.
DeLuxe trim is very similar to Regal DeLuxe. However, Regal DeLuxe has stainless steel rocker panel moldings and better interior appointments, flat wool cloth like Commanders and combination of fabric and leatherette on the door panels. DeLuxe trim has Pile cloth and single fabric door panels.
Commanders are easy to tell from Champion’s, look for the “Commander Emblems” on the side of the front fenders, top front fender ornaments (optional on Champions), a different hood ornament (winged chrome piece with a round lucite spear), larger bumper guards, and three round gauges in the dash. They also are also about ten inches longer from the front doors to the nose.
Restoration Information: (Source TW October 1985)
Engine:
L-head six, 169.6 cubic inches
Bore & Stroke – 3” x 4”
Horsepower – 85 @ 4000 rpm
Compression ratio – 7.0:1 (optional 7.5:1
Color – Olive Green
Wheel base: 113 inches
Tires: 6.40 x 15
Fuel Tank: 18 gallons
1950 Closed Car Body Colors | ||
|---|---|---|
Velvet Black | Grove Green | 2Maui Blue |
Concord Blue | Aqua Green | 2Ojai Green |
Midnight Blue | Bermuda Green | 1Aero Blue |
Black Cherry | Tulip Cream | 1Old Ivory |
Comanche Red | Bahama Mist Metallic | 1Shenandoah Green |
Fiesta Tan | Copper Mist Metallic | 1Surf Gray |
Falcon Gray | Highland Mist Metallic | |
Plaza Gray | 2Aspen Gray | |
1950 Convertible Colors | ||
Velvet Black | Copper Mist Metallic | Aqua Green |
Bahama Mist Metallic | Plaza Gray | Bermuda Green |
Steel Mist Metallic | 1Old Ivory | Black Cherry |
Highland Mist Metallic | Tulip Cream | Comanche Red |
Concord Blue | ||
1Spring Color 2Color only used at Los Angeles Plant Early color information limited the metallic paints to convertibles, but later in-house “Paint Charts” booklets list all the metallics except Steel Mist as being available on closed models. The “Paint Chart” also gives detailed information on wheel and stripe colors. | ||
1Model | No. Doors | Passengers | 2CCD Price | 1TW Price | 1No. Produced |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Custom Business Coupe (Q4) | 2 | 3 | $1,419.00 | $1,419.00 | 1,562 |
Custom Starlight Coupe (C1) | 2 | 5 | $1,514.00 | $1,514.00 | 3,583 |
Custom 2-dr Sedan (F1) | 2 | 6 | $1,487.00 | $1,487.00 | 19,593 |
Custom 4-dr Sedan (W1) | 4 | 6 | $1,519.00 | $1,519.00 | 16,000 |
DeLuxe Business Coupe (Q1) | 2 | 3 | $1,482.00 | $1,497.00 | 2,082 |
DeLuxe Starlight Coupe (C3) | 2 | 5 | $1,572.00 | $1,592.00 | 19,028 |
DeLuxe 2-dr Sedan (F3) | 2 | 6 | $1,547.00 | $1,565.00 | 45,280 |
DeLuxe 4-dr Sedan (W3) | 4 | 6 | $1,577.00 | $1,597.00 | 46,027 |
Regal DeLuxe Business Coupe (Q2) | 2 | 3 | $1,552.00 | $1,576.00 | 849 |
Regal DeLuxe Starlight Coupe (C5) | 2 | 5 | $1,642.00 | $1,671.00 | 29,966 |
Regal DeLuxe Convertible (S2) | 2 | 5 | $1,955.00 | $1,981.00 | 9,362 |
Regal DeLuxe 2-dr Sedan (F5) | 2 | 6 | $1,617.00 | $1,644.00 | 21,976 |
Regal DeLuxe 4-dr Sedan (W5) | 4 | 6 | $1,647.00 | $1,676.00 | 55,296 |
Total | 270,604 | ||||
</tr
1Serial Numbers: | ||
Location | Start | End |
South Bend | 468,101 | 1,000,000 |
Los Angeles | 851,801 | 889,100 |
Canada | 709,400 | 724,500 |
1Engine Numbers: | ||
South Bend | 521,001 | 778,000 |
Canada | C-10,500 | C-25,500 |
| Source: Production & Serial Number 1Turning Wheels October 1985 2CCD (Classic Car Database). | ||
The 1951 Champion:
This year Champions and Commanders will share the same sheet metal and the same 115 inch wheelbase (exception Land Cruiser). It’s possible because of the new (much shorter) V-8 engine for the Commander. The dash design will still be different between the two, at least for the short term. This makes it much harder to tell the Champions from the Commanders.
Exterior:Exterior changes, the outer ring of the bullet is now sheet metal painted body color, a second much narrower inner chrome ring is added to this outer ring. Then a smaller chrome ring with a three blade molded gray plastic spinner is placed in the center. The two grille sections are larger and mount flush with the body sheet metal. The tubes around the front bumper mounts are removed and replaced with a metal apron that matched with the frontal sheet metal. The two holes below the chrome hood handles and the handles themselves are gone. The trunk handle, hood ornament, and bumper guards are new. Plain hubcaps and full wheel covers are used, with the “Coat of Arms” full wheel covers available as on option. The taillight lens are extended at the top. All models now have a single piece windshield. The sedans have a new single piece rear window.
Interior:Interior changes, the gauges and speedometer are encased inside a new trapezoidal shaped glass enclosure with a chrome surround. The optional clock is removed from the gauge cluster, placed in it’s own separate enclosure, and mounted to the chrome strip under the gauge cluster. The radio grille is now five slots stamped in the dash, inserted with five chromed trim strips. The steering column is a single tube enclosure with the shift and turn signal arms built into the unit (except for Custom trim). There is a new steering wheel (three spokes) and a new horn ring.
Mechanical:
Champions are changed to center point steering and wheels now have five lugs per wheel. Electric windshield wipers are offered as optional equipment.
Model Line-up:
The same model line-up from1950 is seen in 1951. Coupe, Starlight Coupe, 2-dr Sedan, 4-dr Sedan, and Convertible (in Regal trim only). The Custom and DeLuxe trim levels are the same, but the Regal DeLuxe trim is now just Regal trim.
 | 1951 Custom 2-dr Sedan |
 | 1951 Deluxe Business Coupe |
 | 1951 Deluxe Starlight Coupe |
 | 1951 Regal 4-dr Sedan |
 | 1951 Regal Convertible |
Tells:
“Studebaker” is removed from the bullet and placed on the drivers side of the hood. “Champion” is placed on the passenger side. Both badges are prominent die castings mounted to the lower edge of the hood. On Champion’s, the 1950 “Crest’ emblem is still on the hood, just below the new hood ornament (except Custom’s which have no hood ornament). The spinner is three blade gray plastic, 50 spinner is chrome and has four blades and is much larger.
Restoration:
The engine was painted olive green, electrical components were black, the fan was black or olive green, and the air cleaner was black.19
|
1951 Exterior Colors |
||
|---|---|---|
|
1Velvet Black |
1Shenandoah Green |
1Plaza Gray |
|
1Maui Blue |
1Aqua Green |
1Comanche Red |
|
1Concord Blue |
1Sahara Sand |
1&3Black Cherry |
|
1Rio Green |
1Surf Gray |
2Bermuda Green |
|
2Midnight Blue |
||
|
1South Bend & Canadian Colors 2Additional Colors available only in Canada 3Not available on Custom. No metallic colors are used in 1951, no colors were exclusive to convertibles, and no two-tones were available from the factory except for fleet orders. CKD were often painted non-factory colors. |
||
|
1951 Interior Fabrics |
|
|---|---|
|
Trim |
Fabric |
|
Custom |
Bedford Cord |
|
DeLuxe |
Canda Pile Cloth |
|
Regal |
Woolen Flat Cloth |
|
Champion Convertible (Regal) |
Nylon Cord with leatherette |
|
Champion Regal Convertible could be had with genuine leather at additional cost. DeLuxe and Regal Champions had carpet in the rear with black rubber in the front. Custom Champion’s had black rubber flooring both front and back, and Regal Convertible had carpet both front and rear. |
|
Most of the 1950 options and accessories were available for 1951 models, the Philco eight-tube Stratoline radio’s push buttons changed from seven to six and Philco six-tube Starline radio’s push buttons changes from five to four. The Fram oil filter was made standard on Land Cruiser (optional extra cost on all Champions).
|
1951 Studebaker Champion Series 10G, 115 in. wheelbase |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Model |
2No. Doors |
2Passengers |
2CCD Price |
1TW Price |
1No. Produced |
|
Custom business coupe (Q4) |
2 |
3 |
$1,370.00 |
$1,471.00 |
2,429 |
|
Custom Starlight coupe (C1) |
2 |
5 |
$1,460.00 |
$1,566.00 |
2,781 |
|
Custom 2dr sedan (F1) |
2 |
6 |
$1,435.00 |
$1,540.00 |
10,689 |
|
Custom 4dr sedan (W1) |
4 |
6 |
$1,465.00 |
$1,571.00 |
9,972 |
|
DeLuxe business coupe (Q1) |
2 |
3 |
$1,445.00 |
$1,549.00 |
961 |
|
DeLuxe Starlight Coupe (C3) |
2 |
5 |
$1,535.00 |
$1,644.00 |
9,444 |
|
DeLuxe 2dr sedan (F3) |
2 |
6 |
$1,510.00 |
$1,618.00 |
18,591 |
|
DeLuxe 4dr sedan (W3) |
4 |
6 |
$1,540.00 |
$1,649.00 |
26,019 |
|
Regal business coupe (Q2) |
2 |
3 |
$1,520.00 |
$1,628.00 |
373 |
|
Regal Starlight coupe (C5) |
2 |
5 |
$1,610.00 |
$1,723.25 |
14,103 |
|
Regal convertible (S2) |
2 |
5 |
$1,905.00 |
$2,034.00 |
4,742 |
|
Regal 2dr sedan (F5) |
2 |
6 |
$1,585.00 |
$1,697.00 |
8,931 |
|
Regal 4dr sedan (W5) |
4 |
6 |
$1,615.00 |
$1,728.00 |
35,201 |
|
Total |
144,236 |
||||
|
Source: 1TW December 1985 2Classic Car Database (CCD) |
|||||
|
Serial Numbers |
||
|
Location |
Start |
End |
|
South Bend |
1,000,000 |
1,115,500 |
|
Los Angeles |
889,101 |
907,300 |
|
Canada |
724,510 |
735,700 |
|
Engine Numbers |
||
|
Location |
Start |
End |
|
South Bend |
778,001 |
911,500 |
|
Canada |
C-25,501 |
C-36,721 |
|
Mechanical |
|
|
Description |
Specification |
|
L-head Six |
169.6 Cubic Inches |
|
Bore & Stroke |
3” by 4” |
|
Horsepower |
85 @ 4,000 rpm |
|
Compression Ratio |
7.0:1 optional 7.5:1 |
|
Carburetor |
Carter model WE-715S |
|
Tires |
6.40×15 tube type |
|
Fuel Tank |
18 gallons |
The 1952 Champion
Interesting, I asked, how did we get from 10G Champion in 1951 to 12G Champion for 1952 what happened to 11G? Well, that number was assigned to the all new Model “N” car which had been in the design process, including clay models, prototypes, and actual road testing, until then they were not. The N Models would have had all new sheet-metal and included some form of the bullet nose theme. The Model N died over uncertainty about the Korean War. The last minute cancellation, caused Studebaker to rush another face lift of the existing 1947 through 1951 cars, to create the 1952 Studebaker’s. Between the Bullet-Nosed Studebaker’s and the all new 1953 Studebaker, the 1952 seem like the all but forgotten year. However in this writers opinion that 1952 Starliner is still one of the most stunning Studebaker’s ever created.
Exterior:As was the case in 1950, the 1952 face-lift happens most significantly from the cowl forward. The bullet-nose theme is dropped and a very elegant new horizontal grill design is developed. It consists of two end caps, a top bar with a deep “V” in the center, and a bottom bar with six vertical teeth, three on each side of the “V”. Then somehow, much thinner horizontal bars are attached in the background. No bullet-nose, needs a new hood to go with the new grille. Also modified front fenders are fitted with newly designed headlight rims. The front bumper is fitted with four bumper guards, two large on the outside and two smaller ones flanking the license plate holder. Studebaker Champion name plates are used on the leading edge of the hood, but no name plates would be seen on the side of the fenders for any models in 1952.
Deluxe and Regal have a new hood ornament (left photo) which they share with the Commander. In the rear, we get new taillights (right photo) with hooded bezels (the last glass taillight lens) and a new deck lid handle (except for Custom trim). Champion’s have no name badge on the rear deck lid.
The stainless steel gravel guard seen on the Champion Regal convertible and hardtop is redesigned with the leading edge extending much higher (photo center above) and the convertible back glass is now a larger single pane vinylite affair.
Interior:
Very few interior changes are made for the 1952 models. The instrument panel is slightly modified. The Automatic Drive cars get a push button starter switch. Expect few if any Champions were equipped with this optional automatic transmission. The Regal Champion’s get a new horn ring and feature a non-round horn button unique to 1952.Mechanical:
The only significant mechanical change for 1952 Champions was that the brakes are redesigned.
Model Line-up:
Nearly the same model line-up from1951 is seen in 1952. Starlight Coupe, 2-dr Sedan, 4-dr Sedan, and Convertible (Regal trim only). Trim levels remain as Custom, DeLuxe, and Regal. However, gone are the Custom, DeLuxe, and Regal three-passenger coupes.
Left Photo: A new hardtop called the Starliner is released in Regal trim only.
Right Photo: Starlight coupe in DeLuxe trim.
Left Photo: Two door Sedan in Custom trim, no gravel guard and painted headlight rims. Right Photo: Convertible in Regal trim.
Tells:
In the 1950 to 1952 Studebaker series 52 would be the only year without a bullet nose, making them very easy to identify. The deep “V” in the grille is a significant tell for 52’s and a sign of what the future was going to bring. We know that Champion’s and Commander’s are running on the same wheel base and use the same sheet-metal (except the Land Cruiser). So, in the front look for the Champion script on the lower edge of the hood and from the rear look for the “Commander” or “Land Cruiser” deck lid name plate, if you don’t find one it has to be a Champion (Champion’s had no rear deck lid name plate). From the side no known tells. Custom trim only exists for Champion, so look for a car without a hood ornament or a side gravel shield, with painted headlight rims and taillight bezels. If the car has a rubber gravel shield, it may be a DeLuxe trim car, but if the gravel shield is rubber and it has a stainless steel rocker panel mounding your looking at a Regal trim (closed car) Champion.
Restoration:
Champion engine block, head, fan, and pan were painted olive green, however sometimes the fan was black. The air cleaner, generator, starter, coil, voltage regulator, spark plug wire brackets, and horn relay were black. Item in natural color were carburetor, fuel pump, and overdrive relay. The radiator and upper radiator air deflector were black. The hood lock plate assembly was unpainted. Oil filters factory installed were black with a bare metal top bolt (most likely had olive over spray). Dealer installed were generally from Fram and were orange body with black lid and sometimes with a black mounting clamp.
Click here to see the Options and Accessories listing.
| 1952 Exterior Solid Colors (no metallics) | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Color |
Wheel Color |
Canadian Wheel Color |
|
Velvet Black |
Comanche Red |
Cuban Red |
|
Maui Blue |
Cuban Red |
Cuban Red |
|
2Concord Blue |
Concord Blue |
Concord Blue |
|
Nocturne Blue |
Nocturne Blue |
Nocturne Blue |
|
Surf Gray |
Comanche Red |
Cuban Red |
|
Piedmont Gray |
Comanche Red |
Cuban Red |
|
Sahara Sand |
Sahara Sand |
Sahara Sand |
|
Cuban Red |
Comanche Red |
Cuban Red |
|
Rio Green |
Sahara Sand |
Sahara Sand |
|
Aqua Green |
Aqua Green |
Aqua Green |
|
1Bermuda Green |
———- |
Sahara Sand |
|
1This color was only available in Canada for 1952. 2This color may not have been available from Los Angeles. Starlight Hardtop were not normally painted a single solid color, but perhaps could have been special ordered that way. |
||
|
1952 Exterior Two-Tone Colors (no metallics) Only available on Starliner Hardtop |
||
|
Upper Color |
Lower Color |
Wheel Cover |
|
Spartan Rust |
Sahara Sand |
Sahara Sand |
|
Corning Olive |
2Sahara Sand |
Sahara Sand |
|
Nocturne Blue |
2Sahara Sand |
Sahara Sand |
|
Shell Ivory |
2Maui Blue |
Nocturne Blue |
|
Nocturne Blue |
Maui Blue |
Nocturne Blue |
|
Venice Red |
Surf Gray |
Comanche Red |
|
London Gray |
2Surf Gray |
Comanche Red |
|
Nocturne Blue |
Surf Gray |
Comanche Red |
|
London Gray |
Tahoe Green |
Sahara Sand |
|
Walnut Brown |
2Rio Green |
Sahara Sand |
|
Shadow Green |
Rio Green |
Sahara Sand |
|
Wheel did not have stripes in 1952. Those cars shipped with full wheel covers normally came with black wheels. It is possible that the black wheel/full wheelcover combination was limited to cars with white wall tires. 2These color may not have been available from Los Angeles. |
||
|
1952 Interior Fabrics |
|
|---|---|
|
Trim |
Fabric |
|
Custom |
Bedford Cord |
|
DeLuxe |
Pile & Cord |
|
Regal Sedan and Starlight Coupe |
Woolen Flat Cloth |
|
Regal Convertible and Starliner |
Nylon Cord with leatherette |
|
Regal Convertible and Starliner could be had with genuine leather and leatherette at additional cost. Regal has carpet in the rear with black rubber in the front. Custom & Deluxe have black rubber flooring both front and back. All Regal Champion Convertible and Starliner have carpet both front and rear (Ref. Body Parts Catalog 1951 – 1952 Series |
|
|
1952 Studebaker Champion Series 12G, 115 in. wheelbase |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Model |
2No. Doors |
2Passengers |
2CCD Price |
1TW Price |
1No. Produced |
|
Custom Starlight coupe (C1) |
2 |
5 |
$1,477.00 |
$1,763.00 |
1,096 |
|
Custom 2dr sedan (F1) |
2 |
6 |
$1,452.00 |
$1,735.00 |
4,310 |
|
Custom 4dr sedan (W1) |
4 |
6 |
$1,482.00 |
$1,769.00 |
6,400 |
|
DeLuxe Starlight Coupe (C3) |
2 |
5 |
$1,553.00 |
$1,856.00 |
6,075 |
|
DeLuxe 2dr sedan (F3) |
2 |
6 |
$1,527.00 |
$1,828.00 |
12,989 |
|
DeLuxe 4dr sedan (W3) |
4 |
6 |
$1,558.00 |
$1,862.00 |
24,542 |
|
Regal Starlight coupe (C5) |
2 |
5 |
$1,629.00 |
$1,941.00 |
6,183 |
|
Regal convertible (S2) |
2 |
5 |
$1,927.00 |
$2,273.00 |
1,575 |
|
Regal Starliner hardtop (K2) |
2 |
5 |
? |
$2,220.00 |
12,119 |
|
Regal 2dr sedan (F5) |
2 |
6 |
$1,603.00 |
$1,913.00 |
5,534 |
|
Regal 4dr sedan (W5) |
4 |
6 |
$1,634.00 |
$1,946.00 |
20,566 |
|
Total |
101,389 |
||||
|
Serial Numbers |
||
|
Location |
Start |
End |
|
South Bend |
1,115,501 |
1,197,500 |
|
Los Angeles |
907,301 |
917,700 |
|
Canada |
735,701 |
745,100 |
|
Engine Numbers |
||
|
Location |
Start |
End |
|
South Bend |
911,501 |
1,004,000 |
|
Canada |
C-36,722 |
C-46,500 |
|
Mechanical |
|
|
Description |
Specification |
|
L-head Six |
169.6 Cubic Inches |
|
Bore & Stroke |
3” by 4” |
|
Horsepower |
85 @ 4,000 rpm |
|
Compression Ratio |
7.0:1 optional 7.5:1 |
|
Carburetor |
Carter model WE-715S |
|
Tires |
6.40×15 tube type |
|
Fuel Tank |
18 gallons |