I have a 1960 Champ, all stock...plenty of parts and sheet metal out there to purchase. You should set your priorities in order...frame repair first, etc. If you need help, the Studebaker Club will help you with everything.
@ericcranston8158 I wish this one were in better shape and I would've tried to keep it original. It's just not a good candidate for a restoration, or even a parts vehicle, LOL. Thanks for the advice. I can fabricate most of what I need, but I will contact the club if I get stuck. Thanks again for the comment and for watching!
I like the truck, and I like the 390, but you have a lot of work ahead of you! I like Studebakers and Fords, and that truck is really special! Thank you for sharing it!
Lots of ventilation! LOL, I think its cool not to many people are interested in the Studebaker. I personally never heard of the champ but I would definitely like to see you do something with it, the good thing I guess is that any modifications you make not to many people would even know. Cool truck!
I'm glad you like it! I normally am not a fan of making irreversible changes to something as uncommon as that old truck. But, it's so far gone, I doubt anyone would even use it for parts. Thanks for watching and for the comment!
I love that body enough I would be trying to restore it one of my favorites but so you know Ford and Studebaker both have the same cubic inch motors on atleast one but they never used Ford in the last two years they used Chevy but besides that they made there own motors
Wow that’s a project ! Been around Studebakers a long time and haven’t seen anything that rusted out. But I’m out west and we don’t salt roads in winter , so for the most part the cars don’t get that bad. Surprise to here Lark fenders are hard to find. Also Ford trucks were straight axle thru 64. Good luck on your truck that thing will fly with that 390
Indiana certainly isn't the worst for rusted cars, but it gets pretty bad. My '88 Jeep Comanche 2WD had a straight axle too, LOL. I drove it about 50 feet from building to building and it would definitely move!. Thanks for the comment!
I daydream about stuff like that too. If Hudson and Nash had joined the Studebaker-Packard merger, they might have made it a lot longer. Thanks for the comment!
I miss my Dakota too. I had major issues with the 3.9 V6 and made my own "Shelby" with a custom made cross member for an older 318. It was a lot of fun. Thanks for the comment!
The bed is the best part, LOL! If I change anything with the bed, I might use some 55-66 Chevy step side fenders that I might modify to work. They have a similar bodyline to what the cab has.
I haven’t played with a lark yet just doing a lark r2 motor in 59 silver hawk exhaust should be done at Morris muffler in Fayetteville Georgia this week
G'day from West Australia, my mum learnt to drive in a Studebaker, a loooong time ago. She's about t o turn 91. Would be cool to see this old girl, remanufactured via an English wheel etc. Recon I would ditch the underpinnings and build a full chassis for completely new aga steering suspension brakes etc. That's just me though.🙂👍👍
Well, Happy Birthday to her! I may change my plans about what I do before it gets back on the road. Who knows? It's fun regardless. Thanks for the comment and the great story!
My father had a wrecked1963 Daytona, with the R-1 Jet thrust engine, and the BW 4 speed. We dumped the body off the Studebaker frame, put a 1940 Ford pickup cab, and box, on the frame. We had to build the body mounts up to keep everything from dragging the ground! It has disc brakes, ford mag wheels, it was super zoomie! But he only got it half way done before he passed in 2011.
@@smithmotorworks1969 Nope, after he died my sister had the crusher come in. She got 60 bucks a ton out of 150 old cars, and a couple of 1939 9N ford tractors.
Not sure if you ever watched adventure made from scratch. But he may have or know where you can get some body parts. I like the truck and would sure like to see this one made solid again to be a daily driver
I need to check that out. I believe others have recommended them as well. I've driven some pretty rough stuff. Hopefully I'll have have it on the road this spring. Thanks!
@@smithmotorworks1969 back about a year ago he crushed hundreds of Studebaker that was beyond fixing. But he saved the good parts if they had anything he felt would sale
I like the older Stude Truck.....didnt care for the Lark, especially the front end, but I do think the 390 will twist that rusty frame into a pretzel....
I would've much rather had an M-series. Those are just out of reach price-wise, for me at least. I'll definitely box/reinforce the frame rails as needed. It's all part of hot rodding, right? Thanks for watching! I appreciate the comment!
Contact Pudding at his fab shop. His has a few Studebaker items. Has his own RUclips channel. Owns acres of junk vehicles. Don't pour sand in the rat hole.
I think it's pretty clever that Studebaker was able to come up with something that at least seemed like a new model. I am certain they wanted to do more, but just ran out of resources.
You are so right. It's actually WORSE than it looks. I just don't have the heart to scrap it. I've got to try. Thanks for the comment and for watching!
The front clip is the same as the cars and a lot of the mechanicals, The Studebaker Drivers cllubs are a font of knowledge and parts and there are a few FB groups devoted purely to Champs
That old truck looks as though it was buried in a snow bank for 40 years. Major project, if it is a projects ? Good luck…. get er done, wait, whoa. Why did you buy this ? Why ? 🙈….. I got hooked, kept watching to see where you where going with this issue…….wow…I concluded you are crazy ! No offense..😵💫🤭
@@smithmotorworks1969 Good luck with that one, regardless what you end up doing. Studebaker, Hudson, Kiaser, all the odd balls by some way of thinking, always caught my attention. Some of the Larks and Hawks…..slick. 🤠
to correct myself the motor is the same size as a Ford but the Studebaker didn't use Ford at all Studebaker made all there own motors except last two years they used Chevy motors but only in Canada
Not really going for "period correct". I don't believe the Champ ever had anything but Studebaker power from the factory. I love them all, but I've got enough Chevy-powered stuff. Besides, I got to "Dare to be Different"! Thanks!
Studebaker did not die, they didn't like the volatile auto manufacturers business so they left, they kept the Canadian production going to avoid class action lawsuits in the U.S.. They had a ton of money and made hundreds of millions from other businesses they owned right from the 50's, education is a bitch.
@13coyote13 Studebaker VEHICLE production in the United States was definitely as dead as Dillinger by 1964. I didn't mention the few years of production in Canada (or other countries). Larks with Chevrolet engines and no Champ production there didn't seem relevant. You are right about education though; let us all know when you get one.
I have a 1960 Champ, all stock...plenty of parts and sheet metal out there to purchase. You should set your priorities in order...frame repair first, etc. If you need help, the Studebaker Club will help you with everything.
@ericcranston8158 I wish this one were in better shape and I would've tried to keep it original. It's just not a good candidate for a restoration, or even a parts vehicle, LOL. Thanks for the advice. I can fabricate most of what I need, but I will contact the club if I get stuck. Thanks again for the comment and for watching!
Love these trucks.
TBH, it wasn't my first choice. But, I am definitely hooked now. Thanks!
Coolest project ever dude make it rock
I appreciate that! I do believe it has potential. Thanks!
@@smithmotorworks1969 potential is an understatement
Thanks. Stay tuned; I am planning on doing more to it really soon.
I’ll be a fan till it’s done love that year of studes and that one looks like it’s going to be a rocket
I like the truck, and I like the 390, but you have a lot of work ahead of you! I like Studebakers and Fords, and that truck is really special! Thank you for sharing it!
I'm a big fan of lost causes, LOL. Thanks for the comment!
There is a nice Studebaker pickup in the Movie Hot Rod !
I've seen that movie. I'll have to check it out again. I must've missed that truck. Thanks!
Lots of ventilation! LOL, I think its cool not to many people are interested in the Studebaker. I personally never heard of the champ but I would definitely like to see you do something with it, the good thing I guess is that any modifications you make not to many people would even know. Cool truck!
I'm glad you like it! I normally am not a fan of making irreversible changes to something as uncommon as that old truck. But, it's so far gone, I doubt anyone would even use it for parts. Thanks for watching and for the comment!
I love that body enough I would be trying to restore it one of my favorites but so you know Ford and Studebaker both have the same cubic inch motors on atleast one but they never used Ford in the last two years they used Chevy but besides that they made there own motors
oh and fun fact Studebaker had the world record for fastest production car in 63 at 170mph with a supercharged 289
@s L Yep, I did know that.
Very interesting, alot of work.
But very unique.
I like the old 390's.
I subscribed.
Take care, Ed.
For sure. I enjoy a challenge. Thanks!
Wow that’s a project ! Been around Studebakers a long time and haven’t seen anything that rusted out. But I’m out west and we don’t salt roads in winter , so for the most part the cars don’t get that bad. Surprise to here Lark fenders are hard to find. Also Ford trucks were straight axle thru 64. Good luck on your truck that thing will fly with that 390
Indiana certainly isn't the worst for rusted cars, but it gets pretty bad. My '88 Jeep Comanche 2WD had a straight axle too, LOL. I drove it about 50 feet from building to building and it would definitely move!. Thanks for the comment!
I would imagine what Studebaker be like had Ford bought em in 1954 instead of creating Edsel in 1958?
I daydream about stuff like that too. If Hudson and Nash had joined the Studebaker-Packard merger, they might have made it a lot longer. Thanks for the comment!
@smithmotorworks1969 I agree brother and AMC would've definitely been the big 4th for sure.
Love Studebaker trucks. Have had Dodge Dakotas was very happy with them
I miss my Dakota too. I had major issues with the 3.9 V6 and made my own "Shelby" with a custom made cross member for an older 318. It was a lot of fun. Thanks for the comment!
Fred flintstone would be proud to own that gem
Yabba Dabba Doo!
It looks like an old Chevy Luv body has the same body lines , I Would use the Luv box sides on the Truck
The bed is the best part, LOL! If I change anything with the bed, I might use some 55-66 Chevy step side fenders that I might modify to work. They have a similar bodyline to what the cab has.
Wonder if the lark fenders would fit ?
I'm fairly sure everything from the door jamb forward is the same as a Lark except for the floor pans, grille, and front bumper.
I haven’t played with a lark yet just doing a lark r2 motor in 59 silver hawk exhaust should be done at Morris muffler in Fayetteville Georgia this week
That's awesome. I like them all, but I would have loved to put a Studebaker V8 in the Champ.
G'day from West Australia, my mum learnt to drive in a Studebaker, a loooong time ago. She's about t o turn 91.
Would be cool to see this old girl, remanufactured via an English wheel etc.
Recon I would ditch the underpinnings and build a full chassis for completely new aga steering suspension brakes etc.
That's just me though.🙂👍👍
Well, Happy Birthday to her! I may change my plans about what I do before it gets back on the road. Who knows? It's fun regardless. Thanks for the comment and the great story!
My father had a wrecked1963 Daytona, with the R-1 Jet thrust engine, and the BW 4 speed. We dumped the body off the Studebaker frame, put a 1940 Ford pickup cab, and box, on the frame. We had to build the body mounts up to keep everything from dragging the ground! It has disc brakes, ford mag wheels, it was super zoomie! But he only got it half way done before he passed in 2011.
Wow! That is so awesome. Do you still have it?
@@smithmotorworks1969 Nope, after he died my sister had the crusher come in. She got 60 bucks a ton out of 150 old cars, and a couple of 1939 9N ford tractors.
Sorry to hear that. It sounds like he had quite a collection.
My cousin and I learned to drive in a 1963 Studebaker Champ Pickup. 289 Studebaker V8 with a three speed manual transmission.
That is awesome. As bad as this one is, I really like it. Thanks!
Really cool
Thanks!
Ford FE v8 in a Studebaker Champ....match made for toughness!
The coolest thing is that it was totally random! It does seem like it belongs there to me for some reason. Thanks for the comment!
Not sure if you ever watched adventure made from scratch. But he may have or know where you can get some body parts. I like the truck and would sure like to see this one made solid again to be a daily driver
I need to check that out. I believe others have recommended them as well. I've driven some pretty rough stuff. Hopefully I'll have have it on the road this spring. Thanks!
@@smithmotorworks1969 back about a year ago he crushed hundreds of Studebaker that was beyond fixing. But he saved the good parts if they had anything he felt would sale
Thank you for the subscription.
Take care, Ed.
You bet
I have seen one back in nintys complete truck 1960
There's definitely still some out there. Thanks for the comment!
My second car was a '60 Lark. Always wanted a Champ, but everyone I ever ran across in person was rusted out.
That's the case in Indiana for sure. Thanks!
I like the older Stude Truck.....didnt care for the Lark, especially the front end, but I do think the 390 will twist that rusty frame into a pretzel....
I would've much rather had an M-series. Those are just out of reach price-wise, for me at least. I'll definitely box/reinforce the frame rails as needed. It's all part of hot rodding, right? Thanks for watching! I appreciate the comment!
Contact Pudding at his fab shop. His has a few Studebaker items. Has his own RUclips channel. Owns acres of junk vehicles. Don't pour sand in the rat hole.
I will check it out. Thanks!
I have seen in 4 wheel drive and gasser with straight axle. All in all, it was a uniquely styled truck
I agree. Thanks for the comment!
You need to go to Silas at adventures made from scratch
Thanks. I will check it out!
They should have remove fenders expanded the bead make it wider would have been revolutionary
I think it's pretty clever that Studebaker was able to come up with something that at least seemed like a new model. I am certain they wanted to do more, but just ran out of resources.
So u can pull the car apart with your hands but can drive it ?
Sure.
Lot of bodywork/reinforcement to do, but anything is possible with time and money!
You are so right. It's actually WORSE than it looks. I just don't have the heart to scrap it. I've got to try. Thanks for the comment and for watching!
The front clip is the same as the cars and a lot of the mechanicals, The Studebaker Drivers cllubs are a font of knowledge and parts and there are a few FB groups devoted purely to Champs
I'm in a couple of the groups. Thanks for the additional information!
That old truck looks as though it was buried in a snow bank for 40 years. Major project, if it is a projects ? Good luck…. get er done, wait, whoa. Why did you buy this ? Why ? 🙈….. I got hooked, kept watching to see where you where going with this issue…….wow…I concluded you are crazy ! No offense..😵💫🤭
LOL! I'm a sucker for lost causes, I guess. It will be fun regardless. Thanks for watching!
@@smithmotorworks1969 Good luck with that one, regardless what you end up doing. Studebaker, Hudson, Kiaser, all the odd balls by some way of thinking, always caught my attention. Some of the Larks and Hawks…..slick. 🤠
I love Studebaker but if you were to try doing period correct should be using a Chevy motor
to correct myself the motor is the same size as a Ford but the Studebaker didn't use Ford at all Studebaker made all there own motors except last two years they used Chevy motors but only in Canada
Not really going for "period correct". I don't believe the Champ ever had anything but Studebaker power from the factory. I love them all, but I've got enough Chevy-powered stuff. Besides, I got to "Dare to be Different"! Thanks!
For sure. A sad end to a great company.
Studebaker did not die, they didn't like the volatile auto manufacturers business so they left, they kept the Canadian production going to avoid class action lawsuits in the U.S.. They had a ton of money and made hundreds of millions from other businesses they owned right from the 50's, education is a bitch.
@13coyote13 Studebaker VEHICLE production in the United States was definitely as dead as Dillinger by 1964. I didn't mention the few years of production in Canada (or other countries). Larks with Chevrolet engines and no Champ production there didn't seem relevant. You are right about education though; let us all know when you get one.
I don,t need to hear. You know!
More on the way!