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The Studebaker Champ pickup adopted its front-end design from the Lark car. Small grilles positioned inside the headlamps distinguish the 1961 Champ from the 1960 model. Explore more classic truck images.The 1961 Studebaker Champ featured a Lark-inspired grille, a standard pickup bed, and uncertain prospects for longevity.
Introduced as part of Studebaker's 1960 truck lineup, the 1961 Studebaker Champ emerged from a decade-old design. With declining sales, designers sought a solution by integrating the front end of the 1959 Lark compact car onto a truck chassis with a conventional pickup bed.
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Result: The 1960-1964 Studebaker Champ series featured 1/2-ton and 3/4-ton pickups, while Studebaker's heavier-duty trucks retained their 1950-era design.
The Champ's front end wasn't an exact replica of the Lark's. While the grilles were similar, the Champ featured thick horizontal bars instead of the Lark's delicate cross-hatch pattern. Its bumpers were sturdier and mounted lower, as the pickup sat higher off the ground. However, from inside the cab, the view forward was pure Lark.
Half-ton Studebaker Champs came with either a 6.5-foot short bed or an eight-foot long bed, while 3/4-ton models were only available with the long bed. Platform and stake body configurations were also offered.
Under the hood, the standard engine was a 170-cid L-head six producing 90 bhp. Buyers could opt for the Commander 245-cid six with 118 bhp or choose from two V-8 options: a 259-cubic-inch engine with 180 bhp or a 289-cubic-inch version delivering 210 bhp. Only V-8 models could be equipped with Studebaker's Flightomatic automatic transmission for an additional $200.
The Deluxe trim package, priced at $38, added a chrome grille and accents, pleated vinyl upholstery, and a sliding rear window. For an extra $130, buyers could upgrade to include a radio and heater. Base prices ranged from $1,875 for the short-bed 1/2-ton model to $2,220 for the 3/4-ton version with a V-8.
The 1961 Studebaker Champ not only adopted the Lark’s grille but also its cabin design, providing excellent driver comfort for long journeys.A key update for the 1961 Studebaker Champ was the introduction of an overhead-valve variant of the 170-cid six-cylinder engine, producing 110 horsepower. This replaced both older L-head versions. Visually, aside from twin air-intake grilles, the 1961 model remained nearly identical to the 1960 version, though a new wide-box option, the Spaceside, was introduced.
Champ production numbers were modest, with just over 5,500 units built in both 1960 and 1961. Output rose to 7,325 in 1962 before dropping to 5,861 in 1963. The final 1964 run saw only 2,509 units produced.
Production of the Champ in South Bend ended in late 1963, and like the Avanti and the Hawk, the Lark-nosed pickups became part of Studebaker’s history. The company itself would cease operations after the 1966 model year.
Collectible Pluses of the 1961 Studebaker Champ
- Simple, practical design
- Comfortable for long drives
- Strong community support
- Abundant mechanical and body parts
- Affordable price
Collectible Minuses of the 1961 Studebaker Champ
- Susceptible to rust
- Overhead-valve six-cylinder heads (1961-1964) are prone to cracking
- Limited investment potential
While the 1961 Studebaker Champ shared its front-end design with the Lark sedan, its chassis and cargo box were authentic truck components.For more great articles and pictures on new and classic trucks, see:
- Vintage Trucks
- Ford Pickup Models
- Consumer Guide Car Reviews and Pricing
