Customs Daily Driver

Hi
Just got my 14 year old daughter her dream car. a farm fresh 1951 Studebaker champion. I would like to build it into a reliable daily driver for her. Looking for advice a budget build. I enjoy junkyard scronging so I am looking for advice on what suspension and drivetrain that would be a good fit

 

Some pics please


Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!

 

If it was my daughter all I would concern myself with would be a tight suspension and disc brakes. If the engine & trans has to be replaced that's open to your choice. Nothing wrong with the stock drive train
Both my children's first cars were manual trans. My daughter still favors a stick.





Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App

 

I had a 50 bulletnose w/a GM V-6 and Nova front end.Great little car.

 

I don't think 1951 Studebaker Champion and Reliable Daily Driver for a teenager in 2014 (2016?) is an ideal plan, personally, for the car OR your daughter. I'm inclined to advise you to make the car a special thing for the two of you to work on and get her a $500 90's Ford ****** to have her first fender bender in.

But if you're set on the plan, the Stude does offer a decent amount of steel to wrap your teenager in, but it is still a lighter car. I'd say you're going to want to be doing more Street Rod type stuff as far as STOP and GO are concerned. This by no means is a suggestion to turn it into a low-buck Boydster however. I'm in the Disc Brake camp for this build for stopping power, safety, and ease of maintenance.

If I'm not mistaken, the stock engine/trans would be an inline flat-six with a 3 on the tree manual. I don't know how reliable they were, but I'm sure someone's got an opinion on that. My advice if you are intent on replacing the engine/trans is to find another inline six that will fit like maybe a Chevy 250 or Ford 300 with factory fuel injection or with an aftermarket intake and TBI unit. Then put on whichever automatic transmission is the better fit. I think the driveline on these was open, so if the rear end is in good shape, you should be able to run it.

 

I also own a 51 Champion. Turner Brakes makes a disc brake conversion for the 51. If you want to keep the suspension stock, the 51 is a good choice because it was basically the same through 1966. The Studebaker Drivers Club is a great resource for any information you may need.

 

Wow, she has good taste - but, as stated above making it reliable and safe will take some doing. But, with about two years to build it might work.