1961 Studebaker Champ Truck Rare Stock Survivor No Reserve

Studebaker 1961 Description

This Series 6E5 truck was discovered at a small Southern California airport 30 years ago where it was used to cart items between private hangars. The truck has traveled a total of 1800 miles since it was removed from airport duty, nd has undergone a full mechanical and cosmetic restoration in 100% accurate finishes with no deviation from stock. This original “Apache Red” rig has never been relegated to static display…it has been put into weekly use all this time running small errands around the San Fernando Valley.

Body: No rust, one dry, o accidents, o damage, nd the paint and body work have stood the test of time and shows well today. This short-bed truck retains its original stylized fenders from the 50’s Studebaker trucks, ven though 1961 was the first year that one could order the optional “Dodge” fleetside bed, hich you see more commonly. The spare tire is normally mounted on the outside of the bed in a cut-out located in the right rear fender well, ut on this truck the spare tire mounts underneath and the right fender is from a long-bed truck which has no spare-tire well. This is a much cleaner look. The door and window seals are all new, nd the shut-lines are straight. The door hinges are tight and the doors, ood and tail gate all function perfectly. The bed is absolutely mint, ncluding the floor, ll 3 side walls, nd the gate. This Champ has the rare optional Studebaker "Loading Dock" brake light assemblies which are on a spring-loaded pivot so that you don't crack your lenses when you are backing up to a loading dock

Drivetrain: 170 Cubic inch, nline 6, irst year of the overhead valve head, ompletely rebuilt with new rings, earings, ull head work starting with a crack-free head (about 200 miles ago), ew valves, eats, prings, alve seals. Rebuilt carburetor, enerator, adiator and new water pump, tarter, ll ignition parts, otor mounts, xhaust system, oltage regulator, ending units, uel pump. 3-speed manual Transmission rebuilt with new bearings, ynchros, eals with a new driveshaft joints, lutch and T/O bearing. Completely reconditioned fuel system. New brake master cylinder, lave cylinders, heel bearings, rums turned, ew soft lines and brake linings. Hitting the ground with new shocks, ew tires, nd detailed original Champ-only steel wheels with NOS Champ-only hubcaps and a restrained red pin stripe.

Interior: Seat and door panel upholstery is new in what I describe as “School Bus Naugahyde”, very vintage and sturdy material. The headliner is new as well as all of the trim details around the doors. The floor is form fitting rubber with sewn details up to the fire wall and kick panels, ery nicely detailed. The gauge cluster is rebuilt and all indicators, ights, nobs and switches work great.

On the Road: The Champ starts up instantly on the first fire and warms and idles nicely, bsolutely no smoke as you would expect from a quality rebuild. The clutch and column shifter all function nicely and provide a satisfying mechanical handshake between you, achine and road. We have taken this truck on trips through San Luis Obispo wine country and have a lot of fun meeting new folks and waving. I have used it on a dozen trips to my local plant nursery and hardware store to come home with loads of 8-ft. lumber (carefully wrapped and protected with moving blankets of course). Cars-n-Coffee events are great because the truck shows extremely well. If you research the Champ that is located in the Studebaker museum, ou will find that this one is nicer, ut the difference is that our Champ is a rolling piece of mechanical art, eant to be enjoyed on the road.

Send me your information and photo requests and I will email the information right back to you. The truck has a clear California Pink in my name, egistration fees just paid, nd the YOM plates will stay with the truck if you live in California. My wife and I have really enjoyed this truck and it is time to try something different, o we are selling it in tip top condition for the next care taker.