1948 Studebaker Champion Regal Deluxe - BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL CONDITION

 

1948 Studebaker Champion “Regal Deluxe”

 

We've all heard the line. "Its only original once". After owning this 1948 Studebaker. I can now appreciate that statement and say without hesitation that I would take this well cared for. original condition car with the flaws of age over most restorations any day. Why? Besides having far more character and being much more unusual to find. my favorite reason is simply because everything is right. This Studebaker is a fully functioning. original condition car that does not necessarily demand restoration. I drove it home upon receiving the keys and drive it occasionally in town.   

Please read below and check out the photos to fully appreciate the details of this car. I'll start with a brief summary. history of the car. details of condition and ending with my driving comments.

Original condition. garage kept. driving classic
Optional overdrive transmission allowing for modern highway speeds
Blemished but still shiny. original paintTop-of-the-line "Regal Deluxe" trim packageOutstanding condition. original interior in excellent condition that is just stunning.

HISTORY:

Purchased new by the Harold family in the town where it still resides. this Studebaker was owned by a single family for 40 years until 1987. It was then sold to another Walla Walla resident. a collector and great appreciator of what. at that time. were considered the odd cars. This man preserved a great number of vintage cars like Studebaker. Hudson. and Graham as well many European cars like early BMW. and Borgward. The list goes on and on. At the time of his death he had 140 unusual and rare cars packed onto his large city lot. It was an incredible collection. This car. due to its well preserved originality. was lucky enough to be stored inside his shop. I bought the Studebaker in 2012 from the family. It was one of the last of the collection to be sold. Throughout its life and to this day this car has been lightly used and garage kept which explains the outstanding. nearly perfect condition of its original factory interior.

 

CONDITION:

The engine starts easily every time and runs remarkably smooth and quiet. It drives well with adequate power and is very very comfortable. Gears shift smoothly and easily through the entire range with a really nice positive feel. The clutch is good. The car has the overdrive feature which allows it to cruise along at todays highway speeds. The electrical selenoid has gone out which keeps it from engaging. I sourced one at a local parts shop and it is still available and easily replaceable. The brakes work fine for town driving and I find that the more I drive it the better the brakes perform. I would suggest replacing or at least going through and cleaning the brake system however.   The good news is that they have never leaked or bled down since I've had it so the car is always ready to drive.

With the exception of the clock. each gauge on the dash works and operates in the normal. healthy range. Oil maintains 50psi at all times. temperature is cool and generator is charging. The speedometer needle is steady and seems true. The tires are old bias ply probably from the 70's. They are cracked and need replacing. The radio does not switch on. The wipers are not working. I have looked into this and found that the switch works but the vacuum motor is leaking and needs rebuilding; another simple job. Windows and latches all operate smoothly and easily. The glass on the rear passenger door is cracked but all other glass is in excellent conditon and very clear. The rubber also seems to be good and without leaks.

The odometer shows 68. 78 miles. The speedometer needles is steady and true and the tachometer does work. Judging by the condition of the uphulstory and what I know of this car. I have every reason to believe this is accurate and has not turned over although I cannot guarantee it.

The exterior is clean and shiny in average condition. As best I can tell. the paint is original. It looks good for being unrestored but examine closely and you will find a lot of indiscretions. There are scratches on both rear quarter panels and front fenders. Many blemishes on the body as a whole and there are lots of places where paint has been touched up. the hood. front fender and a rear fender appear to have been repainted but are well matched. The passenger side rear fenders has a small incision. The car doesn't seem to have ever been in an accident but it appears that Mr. Harold had difficulty backing out of his garage as he aged.

Rust is not an issue. This car has lived its whole life in Eastern Washington which is an arid dry climate. It was garaged which kept it even more protected from both rain and sun. The only rust on the entire car is a small round at the bottom of each of the side louvers where water must have collected when open. Everything else is great. The wheel wells. rocker panels and floor pan is all cancer free as shown in the photos you can find in the photobucket link. The bumpers have marks and dings but all of the lenses. as well as the chrome and stainless emblems and trim pieces are all excellent.

The interior is the highlight of the car and it is just stunning. The regal deluxe package was Studebaker's top-of-the-line option for the champion series.  The original mohair upholstery on both front and rear seats is intact. still soft. and clean. I have only found one tiny tear in the entire seat upholstery. It is in a fairly unnoticed spot on the backside of the front seat behind the driver. The door panels show some water-stains and the armrests are worn. Even the original carpet is intact and in presentable condition. The headliner is in great condition also with no damage. Take a look at the photos to see just how remarkable the interior is!

The interior trim is the standout. I am astounded by the condition of the beautiful simulated walnut grain pattern dash and trim. still deeply rich with no hint of sun damage. The gold. Bakelite emblems are truly eye catching. The steering wheel has no cracks and the glazing is still glossy smooth. That beauty could never be duplicated in a restoration and it is remarkable that it has survived with such grace.

Nearly Everything on the car works. right down to the light inside the glove box. 65 years old and it still functions as designed and faithfully turns on when the fragile mercury switch senses the opening of the lid. That glove box is a good description of the car as a whole. In general. the car just works. It didn't take someone spending years working on it tinkering and fitting new parts to make it that way. I consider this a testament to how well cared for it was its whole life.   Studebaker was quality to start with and it shows in the fit and finish. Everything is smartly appointed and solid. The doors latch firmly. the lights. switches and instruments work as they should.

Please check out the photos to get a good feel for the car. Photos are here on Ebay but to see more detail shots. please follow this link to a photobucket library that includes photos of the underside of the car. engine compartment as well as some photos of the Harold family home and the Walla Walla Studebaker dealership.      

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