1948 Studebaker Champion Convertible

Gary Pettigrew
Carmichael, CA

Gary's beautiful 1948 convertible certainly didn't start out that way. It was badly rusted and Gary used the floor, front end and rear fenders from a donor '50 Studebaker two door sedan. The doors were replaced with doors from a '52 hardtop coupe. The front fenders were pie cut to drop the nose 1-1/2" and Cyber Green paint, from a new VW Beetle, was applied. The car now has bucket seats and a leather interior and Gary kept the nice original '48 dash but added a console under the dash. The top is Navy Blue and the taillights are from a '51 Studebaker.

This car runs a 1994 Chevrolet LT1 engine and 4L60E transmission with a 9" Ford rear end. It has air ride suspension which lets it get real low when parked. 

Nice job, Gary!

Photos by Mark Novak