Designed at a time when Studebaker's truck line had not seen major upgrading in over 10 years, Studebaker engineers were forced to use a number of existing components to fit within the $900,000 budget given them by the company's Board of Directors, but the end result was astonishingly fresh and competitive in price, capability and performance with other American-built trucks of the era.

Of course, power steering was not yet commonplace in light trucks during the early 1960s, so Studebaker was not necessarily at a competitive disadvantage by not offering the option.

The chassis of the Champ was basically the same as what had been used for Studebaker's ½ and ¾-ton E-series trucks since 1949, a typical ladder frame with solid axles both front and rear.

Despite its age, the Champ's chassis components were no more or less modern than those found in GM, Ford, Chrysler or International Harvester trucks, all of which also still used solid axle suspensions.

While an entirely new cab was out of the question because of cost considerations, the new Lark compact car's body proved to be just the right size and shape to suit the purpose.

Funds were allocated to give the Champ a new horizontal-bar grille that delivered a "tougher" look than the Lark's mesh.

From the start of production, those desiring V8 power could choose between Studebaker's 259- and 289 cuin engines with either a two- or four-barrel carburetor.

Given the cobbled-up nature of the truck, sales were fairly good for the 1960 model year "5E" series.

1961's 6E series saw the addition of a full-width cargo box, the Spaceside, for which Studebaker had purchased the tooling from Dodge.

By December 1963, Studebaker's board of directors announced the closure of its South Bend, Indiana factory, and the trucks were among the casualties of the company's consolidation around an abbreviated family-car lineup in its Hamilton, Ontario, Canada assembly plant.

Today, the Champs that still exist are highly prized for their interesting combination of passenger-car comfort and style and their rugged mechanical durability (the sixes' head problems notwithstanding).