The Champion was an automobile series of the Studebaker Corporation of South Bend, Indiana. Production for the model began of the beginning of the 1939 model year and continued until 1958 when the model was phased out in preparation for the 1959 Studebaker Lark series. Prior to that time Studebaker had been placed under receivership, and the company was trying to return to a profitable cash position. Success of the Champion in 1939 was imperative to Studebaker’s survival following weak sales during the 1938 model year.

The Champion was one of Studebaker’s best selling car ranges by virtue of its low price (1939 $660 for the two door business coupe), durable engine and its styling. Styling for the car was handled by industrial designer Raymond Lowey who was under contract with Studebaker for the design of their automobiles. Champion’s won Mobilgas economy runs by posting the highest gas mileage tests. During World War II, Champion’s were coveted for their high mileage in a time when gas was rationed in the United States.

In 1946, Studebaker built a limited number of cars based on their 1942 body shell in preparation of its new body and design roll out in 1947. All Studebaker’s built in 1946 were designated Skyway Champion models.

In 1957, the Champion Scotsman, a stripped down Champion, was introduced by Studebaker in an attempt to compete with the Big Three and Nash in the low price field. Shortly after its roll out, the car was redesignated the Studebaker Scotsman.

References

• Maloney, James H. (1994). Studebaker Cars. Crestline Books. ISBN 087938-884-6.

• Langworth, Richard (1979). Studebaker, the Postwar Years. Motorbooks International. ISBN 0-87938-058-6.

• Gunnell, John, Editor (1987). The Standard Catalog of American Cars 1946-1975. Kraus Publications. ISBN 0-87341-096-3.