1950 Studebaker Champion 2 Door Sedan

Lennie & Linda Broich
Pine Island, MN

A Missouri field was home to this car when Lennie found it. It wasn't much to look at, as you can see, but he had a vision of what it could be and planned to build this car for his wife Linda.

The car was handed over to L & L Street Rods and they started by removing the body and media blasting it. It was put onto a rotisserie so they could finish the rockers and spray the bottom of the car with epoxy. While this was going on, L & L was doing some major work on the chassis. The frame was modified with 2x3 tubing to accommodate the 1995 Corvette suspension and rear end. The frame was then powder coated before the running gear was assembled. A 350 ci engine with 450 hp and a beefed 700R4 transmission with a 2200 stall converter drive the Corvette rear end and it's riding on 18" and 19" Corvette wheels with Goodyear F1 tires

Body work included filling in the vents under the hood and removing the eyebrows. The rest of the body was smoothed by removing all trim. The drip rails were replaced with 3/8" rod molded to the body. To keep the wider Corvette rear end stock, the rear fenders had to be widened 2-1/2 inches and they were welded to the body in the process. Part of the discarded front bumper was used to widen the rear bumper. The windshield was V-butted and a one piece rear window from a 51 parts car was added after the mile deep black paint job was completed.

The inside features air conditioning, a GPS in the full length console, billet clock insert, billet sill plates, tilt and telescopic column and seats from a Toyota Solara. The leather interior was given the full treatment by Rapid Upholstery in Sauk Rapids, MN.

After more than 2 years of work, the car was given to Linda as a Christmas present in 2007. 

Lennie said that if anyone is building a Studebaker and needs help finding parts, Parmer Studebaker in Van Wert, IA is a great resource. They helped him find parts he couldn't locate anywhere else.