1949 Studebaker Champion Regal Deluxe 4-Door Sedan

Description

OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE 

Out of a combination of a lifelong automotive passion and an unyielding desire to support the people of his Alabama community, the Generous Collection was born. Mr. Greg Rusk, a successful business leader in the cardboard industry, with a big heart for helping families and friends in times of need, would regularly pay overly generous fees to acquire an interesting vehicle. After decades of collecting and supporting local automotive enthusiasts, the Rusk family is ready for these vehicles, each with their own story, to write their next chapter back on the road, where they belong.

The Generous Collection debuts with Part 1 offering over 200 cars in October, all offered without reserve, emerging from years of long-term silent storage. Many additional lots will be offered in the coming months. From the quiet shadows of the Generous Collection to the sunshine of backroads and highways, enthusiasts now have the opportunity to own a piece of a generous car-collecting legacy. 

* * * 

The 1949 Studebaker Champion marked a pivotal moment in postwar American automotive design. Produced by the Studebaker Corporation of South Bend, Indiana, the Champion was the company’s entry-level model, positioned below the Commander. Designed by Raymond Loewy’s studio, the 1949 Champion featured sleek ponton styling, a wraparound rear window, and flat front fenders that gave it a futuristic, streamlined look. 

Under the hood, it housed a 169.6 cubic-inch L-head inline-six engine producing 80 horsepower, paired with a three-speed manual transmission. The Regal Deluxe trim added chrome accents and upgraded interior features. Studebaker built 24,328 Regal Deluxe four-door sedans like this one for the 1949 model year, each priced around $2,149. 

The Champion was praised for its fuel efficiency and affordability, helping Studebaker recover from wartime production halts. It was also notable for being one of the first truly new postwar American cars, not just a rehashed prewar design. The ’49 model year introduced new bumpers and grille styling that enhanced its visual appeal. Studebaker called it “a dramatic new version of the new vision, the new ride, the flight-streamed new look that Studebaker originated!” 

Highlights 

• Offered from The Generous Collection 

• Finished in Concord Blue paint over tan vinyl upholstery 

• Regal Deluxe trim with chrome bumper and accents and upgraded interior 

• Powered by a 169.9 cu-in “L-head” inline-six engine rated at 85 hp 

• Column-shifted three-speed manual transmission 

• The chassis number (G447920) decodes as:  

  • G – 1949 Champion (8G series) 

  • 447920 – Unique serial number 

Features 

• Suicide doors 

• Split windshield and multi-pane wraparound rear window 

• Bench seats, front and rear 

• Two-spoke steering wheel 

• Dash-mounted interior rearview mirror  

• Dealer-installed directional signal kit on steering column  

• 100-mph speedometer with back-lit gauges for oil, temp, gas, and amps 

• Blue-painted wheels with Studebaker hubs and 6.70-15 wide whitewall tires 

Known Imperfections 

• While reasonable efforts were made during preparation for the sale, due to the volume of cars in this collection it was not possible to diagnose or detect all imperfections present in the cars. 

• Paint chips on body and wheels 

• Pitting and scratches on chrome 

• Driver’s side window crank is detached (but included) 

• Heater knob is missing 

• Steering wheel has separated into pieces 

• Residue on vent windows 

Ownership History

This 1949 Studebaker Champion Regal Deluxe 4-Door Sedan is offered from The Generous Collection of no reserve automobiles. 

Additional Notes

A Broad Arrow Auctions Specialist is working as an agent on behalf of the owner of this vehicle. Broad Arrow Auctions is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hagerty.  

Contact: Matt Lowney   Phone: 623.308.2640   email: mlowney@hagerty.com

Alabama Sales Tax Notice to Bidders: Because this car is located in Alabama, the selling dealer may be required to collect and remit Alabama state sales taxes of up to 2% of the purchase amount, even if the buyer plans to register the car outside of Alabama, if (a) the buyer is located in AZ, CA, FL, IN, MA, MI, or SC (capped at $500 in SC), and (b) the buyer does not transport the car out of Alabama using a common carrier (e.g., if the buyer drives the car or transports the car out of Alabama on a personal trailer). Additionally, the selling dealer may be required to collect and remit Alabama county or city taxes from buyers located outside of Alabama, if (a) the buyer does not transport the car out of Alabama using a common carrier (e.g., if the buyer drives or transports the car out of Alabama on a personal trailer), and (b) the buyer fails to provide an executed Drive-Out Certificate for Nonresidents. For additional information, please consult this publication and your own tax advisor regarding sales taxes applicable to cars located in Alabama that are sold to residents of another state.  

Please note that all lots in The Generous Collection are offered after many years of storage, without operation or service, in warehouse facilities. The seller endeavored to provide limited mechanical servicing to bring some cars back to running potential, however, not all cars will be running at time of sale. Because of the extended static display, it must be assumed that all cars will require additional mechanical attention before being driven safely and, in most cases, cleaning to both the interiors and exteriors. All the cars will have imperfections associated with long-term static storage and require extensive sorting to perform best and safely. The burden of determining a car’s status, both mechanical and cosmetic, rests fully on the bidder, prior to bidding and the close of the auction. All lots are sold as is, where is. 

Additionally, due to the location of the collection and limited access to the facility following the close of the auction, all lots must be retrieved while a Hagerty Marketplace representative is onsite beginning Monday, November 3 through Wednesday, November 19. No cars can be retrieved prior to November 3 and any lots remaining after November 19 will be re-located outside in the parking lot for retrieval by their buyers.