Old?? All olds ain't classics, but all classics are old indeed!
1962 Studebaker Champ Truck Red OT032313
Studebaker created this trucklet on a very limited budget, using the Lark as the basis. It works well, the interior is very much like the sedan Lark, and the truck is ...
I used to see an immaculate Lark Champ in white, running around southern
New England where I spend considerable time. Haven't spotted it
lately--wonder if the owner still has it. Another great find, Jack. Stude
was faltering by then but they certainly had some interesting bases
covered, from the unique Avanti to pickups to Hawks to economy cars, to one
of the fastest box-stock factory muscle cars ever made in the form of the
supercharged Lark. Long live the legends that came from South Bend! :)
I'm glad I could bring this unusual truck to you! Glad to hear of your
positive experience with the Lark! It seems to me that Studebaker and
Rambler were ahead of the compact car game...if Falcon, Valiant and Corvair
and Chevy II had not been introduced at this time, it's interesting to
speculate if Rambler and Studebaker would have prospered, with no
competition! But it was not to be! Interesting about the name Lark..I
really hadn't thought about it as it applied to the car! Thanks! :)Jack
The independents often led in terms of ideas, and eventually the Big Three
would see the market potential and value of the idea that the smaller
companies pioneered. They then caught up with models of their own and
reaped greater rewards at the expense of the "Little Guys." For example,
Stude and AMC launched successful compacts, and shortly after came the
Falcon, Valiant, Corvair, et al. Look how many "crossovers" we have now--a
path blazed in part by the sturdy AMC Eagle.
That's true..one wonders how things would have turned out if the big 3
hadn't gotten into the compact car business, and left the field to Rambler
and Studebaker. But the market was there, and they weren't going to ignore
it, although they would have rather sold those loaded full sized cars. From
what I gather, the cost of production of a compact and a full sized car are
nearly the same..and big cars could be sold for much more! Thanks! :) Jack
That really sums it up perfectly...the glory that was Studebaker at the
height of its game. It had such a great start with its forward looking
design right after WW2, beating all cars with a brand new design. The going
was tough, however, with the Big 3 able to undercut it in price. It's a
pity...but the automotive business was and is a difficult business. Thanks!
:) Jack
I have one! I have one! It is my first car, my dads first car, and my
grandpa's last. It is BRIGHT orange, with a white hood. The engine had to
be replaced from the original 259 V8, to a 289. Not that I'm complaining
about the extra 30cu.... Stude's were just ahead of their time....
Congratulations! It's great that you kept it in the family! I wouldn't
complain about the increased displacement, either! Studebaker was very
innovative in many ways..the first car with new styling after WWII, and
this version of the "ute" was very cool. Thanks! :) Jack
Hey, Terry! That would be cool to see these roaming around the city and
suburbs...I imagine lots of workers and regular car buyers developed an
attachment to these trucks, as well as Studebakers in general! Thanks! :)
Jack
Hey, Jason! Yes it was a shame..Studebaker was struggling financially, and
there was suddenly a lot of competition in the compact car market..and the
newest Falcon Rachero was about the same size. Thanks! :) Jack
There's quite a few of these still buzzing about in South Bend, in decent
weather of course. They're about the size of the small Ford and Chevy pick
up trucks. This one is brilliantly restored!!! Thanks Jack.
About a year ago you videoed a Champ, but it was more utilitarian. Now this
one is quite upscale with deluxe interior and even chromed tie downs. Very
classy.