Vintage Car Thread - Discussion and Parts Requests

[jamespowers]

Yes, well it was a bit more of a process than just 'slipping' them on.

But much less complicated than reupholstering them.

 

[AtomicEraTom]

Have you seen the kits they make for doing that these days? Did our Model A and it was pretty easy.

But much less complicated than reupholstering them.

 

[jamespowers]

Have you seen the kits they make for doing that these days? Did our Model A and it was pretty easy.

Did you redo the springs too as you should in a car that old?

 

[AtomicEraTom]

That was all done by the time we got to it.

Did you redo the springs too as you should in a car that old?

 

[David Conwill]

Had a fellow offer to trade me this '50 Studebaker Champion and some cash for my '68 Camaro convertible. We're thinking about going for it. Anyone have any experience with the '47-'52 Champions?

 

[dh66]

Is it the original stude motor? If so, they are pretty solid and easy to work on. Parts aren't at the local autozone obviously, but shouldn't be too hard to come by online. Best I remember, champion was 6 cyl. And commander was V8. Maybe other way around, its been years. Cool looking cars.

Sent from my SGH-T959V using Tapatalk 2

 

[Stanley Doble]

Studebaker Champion had a 6 cylinder 80HP motor, adequate for 1950, not so hot now. Commander and Land Cruiser had a bigger 6 cylinder and weren't bad but no ball of fire.

In 1951 Commander and Land Cruiser got a new OHV V8 that made it the hottest low priced car of the year and the first in its class with an OHV V8. It was soon overtaken by the new Chev V8 (1955) and other hotter motors of the later 50s.

The Stude V8 had a good name for strength, reliability and long life as well as being very economical on gas for a V8.

The Studebakers were well made cars with no outstanding weaknesses mechanically although they did suffer from body rust and the bodies were generally flimsy. They were known as a high style car and always sported the latest thing in body design from the mid 30s to 1953.

The car pictured looks nice but the wheels and tires are all wrong. I would look it over carefully, any change from stock reduces the value.

A Champion can be a fun car but the performance thrills will be nil when compared to a Camaro.

There are a couple of fanatical Studebaker clubs and there are parts specialists, they are well supported that way. When the old Studebaker plant shut down they left warehouses full of spare parts and some of them are still around.

 

[jamespowers]

Had a fellow offer to trade me this '50 Studebaker Champion and some cash for my '68 Camaro convertible. We're thinking about going for it. Anyone have any experience with the '47-'52 Champions?

That would have to be a whole lot of cash on top of that if it were me. A Camaro convertible is worth waaaayyy more than that thing. lol lol

 

[David Conwill]

Ah yes, well, you know I've already had some thoughts on how to correct that deficiency of power...

 

[HeyMoe]

Ah yes, well, you know I've already had some thoughts on how to correct that deficiency of power...

Naw, drop an LT-1 in it and hold on!!

 

[vitanola]

Naw, drop an LT-1 in it and hold on!!

What's wrong with the 233 V-8? Darned good engine. Reliable. Advanced for the day. Quite powerful enough to move the machine along at a good clip and yet economical.

 

[David Conwill]

What's wrong with the 233 V-8? Darned good engine. Reliable. Advanced for the day. Quite powerful enough to move the machine along at a good clip and yet economical.

The only problem with it is there isn't one in the engine bay - just the Champion six. The V8 wasn't available until 1951 and then it was only in the Commander and the Land Cruiser. I figure if you're going to go V8, go all the way.

As far as the LT-1 goes, I'm pretty well convinced that's going to be an orphan motor in a few years, and that's not my style at all anyway. Studillac is where it's at.

 

[David Conwill]

One thing I learned very quickly wrt hobby cars - if you don't have a passion for a make or model, don't buy it!! (unless it's purely for resale)

If you do, you'll soon see it as a nuisance and imposition, and then you'll start to resent it. And the psychic drain will be nonstop. Trust me on this.

Hence why I'm trying to sell my Camaro. I'm just not a muscle car / pony car guy. I like older stuff.

 

[AtomicEraTom]

My Cadillac came with one and it moves that boat in a hurry.

Naw, drop an LT-1 in it and hold on!!

How much are you asking for the convertible?

Had a fellow offer to trade me this '50 Studebaker Champion and some cash for my '68 Camaro convertible. We're thinking about going for it. Anyone have any experience with the '47-'52 Champions?

That would be a cool way to go!

Ah yes, well, you know I've already had some thoughts on how to correct that deficiency of power...

 

[Stanley Doble]

Try the Stude out. It may have adequate power if all you want is to cruise around town. Don't bother buying if you want to swap engines. You will waste your time and money and end up with a car that is not only unsatisfactory to drive, but also worth less than when you started.

If you want a V8 car, buy a V8 car.

As for relative value you could get an Old Car Price Guide and figure out a reasonable deal of car + cash.

 

[jamespowers]

Try the Stude out. It may have adequate power if all you want is to cruise around town. Don't bother buying if you want to swap engines. You will waste your time and money and end up with a car that is not only unsatisfactory to drive, but also worth less than when you started.

If you want a V8 car, buy a V8 car.

As for relative value you could get an Old Car Price Guide and figure out a reasonable deal of car + cash.

The Stude is slow as a brick when compared to the Camaro.

 

[vitanola]

The Stude is slow as a brick when compared to the Camaro.

Well, that's a bit like saying that a Hispano-Suiza is as molasses when compared to a modern Cadillac CTS.

Doesn't make a sensible person prefer a CTS to a "Hisso", now. Does it?

 

[jamespowers]

Well, that's a bit like saying that a Hispano-Suiza is as molasses when compared to a modern Cadillac CTS.

Doesn't make a sensible person prefer a CTS to a "Hisso", now. Does it?

No but the Hispano doesn't look like a Stude on top of being a slow brick. lol lol lol

 

[vitanola]

There you have a point.

In addition to the one on the top of your head, that is.

 

[David Conwill]

The Stude is slow as a brick when compared to the Camaro.

I wonder how it compares with my flathead Rambler.