'47 Studebaker Champion: Just got this but not sure why!

I just picked this dude up the other day. I'm not 100% sure why I did other than the price was right and there's something about it if I look at it the right way that I kinda dig....I think. I don't really know what that is exactly either. It's stock and runs good and everything works on it more or less. It has nice interior, nice chrome and trim, no rust and some cool, pretty well done pinstriping. Hate the red caps and goofy ass dice valve stem caps that were on it but I fixed that in about 2 minutes. The stock rims are painted in their original brown with two thin, cream colored pinstripes. They look good. Stock flattie 6 with three on the tree and electric overdrive.

Anybody else have a 47 Champion?? I'm up for suggestions as to what to do with this.
Anyways..............

 

Drive it..haha. your right there is something about it, I don't know what it is either, it just kinda grows on ya. It's a nice start for something. Gasser?

 

I like it ..any pics of the back?

 

ELD, I was thinking gasser maybe too or maybe a sleeper?? I've never messed with a gasser before and think that unless you can do it right, then you shouldn't do them at all. It would be kinda cool and different though.

Lunatic..thanks man...here are some more shots...

 

Very cool ... I'd just style around and grin at everybody.
Betcha 99% of 'em grin back!

 

wow the more i look at the pictures the more its growin on me
its actually in pretty decent shape
i would clean it up stuff a big motor in it
keep it stock lookin and go hunting

 

wow, put headlights on the back we won't know whether your coming or going! It is one wild looking ride. kinda like a car only a mother could love. haha. I was at a little car show at the dairy bar and saw this tonight. and just now put two and two together. now i wish i got more pictures of it... notice the tag 47stude. Drive that bad boy, you'll have an epiphany about what to do with it.

 

But I saw this one first so maybe I was a little distracted, started dancing in my trousers.....

 

I would just cruise that bitch..looks pretty damn clean inside and under the hood too..

 

Yup, that's the ticket! Drive it and it will grow on ya...big time.-MIKE

 

That is one cool ride.

 

The ass end looks kinda"Tuckeresque"!Good find.

 

I gotta say there is somthing " Kool " about her. I think she deserves some new shiney paint and then just drive the &^%$# out of her

 

Pretty clean ride! I would just put a paint job on it and drive the wheels off it. Stude 6's get great gas mileage, especially if it had OD. Great daily parts runner. I have two Studes with the 6's, luv 'em. (just don't be in a big hurry to get anywhere)
Second look at pics...maybe blocks and coil cuts are in order....

 

Recently bought a '52 Stude plans are not HAMB FRIENDLY in other words 88 continental drivetrain BUT it will make a great cruizer, and I am twisting my wife's arm to drive it once its done. These 47-52 Studes do resemble a Tucker somewhat...... I just like the hell out of it

 

Well, the Modern Grecian was a '47 Studebaker...

 

Paint it, put some nice wheels on it and just drive it! Looks great, save for the red caps and dice, as you pointed out!

 

I'd like to see that front bumper turned upside down and lowered maybe 5 inches?
(and lose that tall "gaurd" thingy?)
-Custom grill (square mesh with chrome bullets!)
-Custom taillights (vertical, not horizontal)
-Different hubcaps (mooneyes aftermarket? Smoothies always look good on Studes too)
-Lowered
And if you are up for it a streamlined chop would look swell!

BAAMM!
A custom that makes people go: "What the hell is that??"

But, the older I get the more I just like seeing vintage tin on the road, so if it works for ya, just drive it!

(Most people go "What the hell is that??" When they see a Stude' anyway!)

 

Also, pretty sure a bullet nose front clip would fit on it just fine.

 

Take a visit to the Cartcart Studebaker website. Hop up that little flattie!

 

Fellas,
Thanks for the advise and compliments. The ass end is kinda Tucker-like for sure. To hop up the flattie in would be cool and a bit different or maybe go all out with something overhead and see if I can put it together to really run. It would be slick to put a later Stude 8 in it or maybe even a nailhead or Olds (may not fit). Just trying to think of something a bit different than a SBC that would actually fit. In the mean time though, I will take the majority advise and just run it as is. The fuel pump just took a dump today but that's a 20 minute fix although they are a bit pricey.

Any sugestions on a cool engine/tranny for this??

 

I was going to mention Cathcarts also. Hop up the 6!!

I'm going to hop up the 6 in my 54 Champion coupe.

You will get addicted to Studes!

 

That is a cool car, not something you see often. I would definately go the sleeper route.

 

man i dont care what you paid for it , I LOVE THAT CAR !!!

cant say ive ever seen one , but that nice interior makes me want to kick the heater on in a late fall afternoon and just DRIVE!! that is awsome buddy.

 

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Exactly what I was going to say although it's original custom version was a bit nicer.

 

A '50 might, the '51's were completely different animals.

 

Also why even bother, bulletnoses are a dime a dozen. Yours you don't see that often. Oh and just hop up that 6. It's not that easy to put a v8 in that car.

 

The Champion engine is pretty light on cubic inches and HP (85), However, if you beat the bushes for a Commander engine, with the OD threespeed, then you would have the basis for a 6 to hop up. I believe the Commander engine is 245 cu inch. Mill the head split the intake and exhaust.

Cool car nice and solid. Engine looks nicely detailed.

Google studebaker swap, for parts and the Studebaker Drivers club for the tech section.

Front end on those is a bit wierd, It a Planner or Planar with a single transverse leaf spring as the lower structural part and upper A arms with king pins in between.

Check out Turner Brakes for discbrake upgrade for the front.

 

There is more speed equipment available for the Champion engine. More people hop up the Champion engine for many reasons. Just go here http://www.cathcartsstudebaker.com/

 

i wish mine still had the flat 6,the 2.8 with lockup really rolls on the highway but i try to keep the hood closed