1947 Studebaker Champion Regal Deluxe Convertible
Studebaker beat Detroit’s Big Three to market with revolutionary postwar styling that arrived in the spring of 1946 as early 1947 models.
Designed under the direction of Raymond Loewy, with significant contributions from Virgil Exner and Robert Bourke, the Champion’s forward-thinking appearance sparked immediate debate, particularly the Starlight coupe’s wraparound rear window that prompted jokes about whether the car was “coming or going.”
The Regal Deluxe convertible topped the Champion lineup at a starting price of approximately $2,060. Its design featured clean envelope-body styling, pull-type door handles, and hydraulic brakes, while the 113-inch wheelbase provided balanced proportions for the open-air body.
Power came from a 170-cubic-inch flathead inline-six producing 80 horsepower, paired with a three-speed manual transmission. Optional overdrive improved highway cruising capability while delivering fuel economy that could approach 30 mpg under favorable conditions.
Studebaker built over 165,000 Champions for the 1947 model year, validating the company’s gamble on advanced design. The styling forced competitors to accelerate their own postwar programs, though the arrival of all-new Big Three models by 1949 leveled the competitive field.
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