Monday, March 12, 2012

1951 Studebaker Full-Sizes

The 1951 Studebakers look roughly similar to last year’s models, but a clever observer will notice that both Champion and Commander models are now based on the same chassis, though the lone Land Cruiser retains the privilege of riding on a longer wheelbase. Curved glass is now widely used by Studebaker, which proposes one-piece windshields on all of its models, and one-piece rear windows on all sedans. News are also under the bonnet as the Commander, which used to be short on power when compared to its rival, now receives a short-stroke, overhead valve V-8 engine: this is the first eight-cylinder engine built by Studebaker since 1942.


Studebaker Champion Custom
The Champion Custom is a simplified version of Studebaker’s cheapest line, designed to compete directly with Chevrolet’s or Ford’s products. It can be easily recognized by its painted headlight and taillight rims.
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● Introduction: May 1946 for this generation of Studebaker cars, early 1950 for the Champion Custom. Construction: body on separate chassis. Engine: water-cooled inline six, 2.8-litre, 85 hp, mounted at the front. A high-compression version of this engine is available. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a three-speed manual gearbox. Three-speed automatic gearbox optional. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels. Length: 502 cm. Top speed: n/a. Range: two-door three-passenger coupe, two-door five-passenger “Starlight” coupe, two-door sedan, four-door sedan.


Studebaker Champion DeLuxe
The intermediate trim among the Champion’s line, the DeLuxe sports chromed headlight rims.
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● Introduction: May 1946. Construction: body on separate chassis. Engine: water-cooled inline six, 2.8-litre, 85 hp, mounted at the front. A high-compression version of this engine is available. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a three-speed manual gearbox. Three-speed automatic gearbox optional. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels. Length: 502 cm. Top speed: n/a. Range: two-door three-passenger coupe, two-door five-passenger “Starlight” coupe, two-door sedan, four-door sedan.


Studebaker Champion Regal
The Champion Regal receives stainless steel rocker panels, but otherwise remains rather similar to the DeLuxe. A convertible is exclusive to this trim.
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● Introduction: May 1946. Construction: body on separate chassis. Engine: water-cooled inline six, 2.8-litre, 85 hp, mounted at the front. A high-compression version of this engine is available. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a three-speed manual gearbox. Three-speed automatic gearbox optional. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels. Length: 502 cm. Top speed: n/a. Range: two-door three-passenger coupe, two-door five-passenger “Starlight” coupe, two-door sedan, four-door sedan, two-door convertible coupe.


Studebaker Commander Regal
The Commander is Studebaker’s most expensive line since the President has been dropped from the company’s post-war range. This year, it loses its extended wheelbase but gains a V-8 engine and receives the Regal trim as standard.
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● Introduction: May 1946. Construction: body on separate chassis. Engine: water-cooled V-8, 3.8-litre, 120 hp, mounted at the front. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a three-speed manual gearbox. Three-speed automatic gearbox optional. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels. Length: 502 cm. Top speed: 145 kph. Range: two-door five-passenger “Starlight” coupe, two-door sedan, four-door sedan. Note: a single Commander Regal two-door three-passenger business coupe is built, but this one-off is not officially part of Studebaker’s range.


Studebaker Commander State
The Commander State is Studebaker’s new plush V-8 model, which adds more chrome to the plainer Regal trim. The only Commander convertible this year is part of this line.
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● Introduction: May 1946 for this generation of Studebaker cars, 1951 for the Commander State. Construction: body on separate chassis. Engine: water-cooled V-8, 3.8-litre, 120 hp, mounted at the front. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a three-speed manual gearbox. Three-speed automatic gearbox optional. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels. Length: 502 cm. Top speed: 145 kph. Range: two-door five-passenger “Starlight” coupe, two-door sedan, four-door sedan, two-door convertible coupe.


Studebaker Commander Land Cruiser
Available only as a sedan, the Land Cruiser is a plush variant of the Commander which enjoys a chassis lengthened by ten centimetres, for the benefit of the passengers’ legroom.
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● Introduction: May 1946. Construction: body on separate chassis. Engine: water-cooled V-8, 3.8-litre, 120 hp, mounted at the front. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a three-speed manual gearbox. Three-speed automatic gearbox optional. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels. Length: 512 cm. Top speed: 145 kph. Range: four-door sedan.


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