Good morning! Today’s choices are a bit cosmetically challenged, but I don’t think you’re going to care, because they both just ooze cool. And probably a fluid or two. But that’s fine too.
I knew from the start that yesterday‘s Gazelle kit car was going to go over like a lead balloon. But as I have said before, my choices are cars that are interesting for me to write about, and for you to read about, not necessarily something you’d actually want. So I decided to put the Gazelle up against that taxi, knowing full well it would get slaughtered.
That said, I have to choose the Gazelle. Why? My wife likes it. And honestly, I’d rather work on something that no one cares how much you mess with it. Something like that London taxi, you’re sort of honor-bound to keep it original to some degree. But a Gazelle? Do what you want.
Today’s choices are both from the Pacific Northwest again, and they’re both the sort of thing you still see roaming the streets in that part of the country. Cool old cars, in rough cosmetic condition, are just part of the scenery up there, and no one who owns them has any intention of fixing them up. They just drive them as-is, fixing things as they break, barely aware of the fact that their Saab 96 or Nash Rambler would be considered a collector’s car elsewhere. And that attitude makes them even cooler, in my eyes. And if you have always wanted a scruffy daily-driver classic of your own, we’ve got two here to choose from.
1964 Studebaker Champ 3/4 Ton Pickup – $4,900
Engine/drivetrain: 289 cubic inch overhead valve V8, five-speed manual, RWD
Location: Bellingham, WA
Odometer reading: 67,000 miles
Operational status: Runs and drives well, but just taken out of storage
When you think of American pickups of the ’60s, you think Ford, Chevy, and Dodge, and maybe if you’re really cool, International. But perpetually beleaguered Studebaker also made pickups, though not in any great quantity: this 1964 Champ is one of only 203 three-quarter-ton trucks to come out of South Bend, Indiana that year, and one of even fewer with Studebaker’s 289 cubic inch engine and a five-speed overdrive transmission. A five-speed with overdrive was pretty advanced for 1964, but it wasn’t quite the same as what we think of now. Check out this crazy shift pattern:
Good thing that little placard is there, because there’s no way in hell you’re figuring that one out on your own. This truck also has 4.10:1 rear end gears instead of 4.56, for a little more relaxed highway cruising, and a limited-slip diff. It’s a good spec for an old truck; you can actually use it as intended.
This truck has been parked indoors for the past ten years, according to the seller. They just recently pulled it out and revived it. It runs great and is drivable, but it will need new tires before you go too far. On the plus side, the coolant and fuel lines look new, so obviously someone knew what they were doing when they woke this truck up. And the engine was rebuilt shortly before it was put into storage, so it should be good to go.
The seller says it “needs” restoration, but I’m not sure I agree. I kinda like it the way it is. It’s not rusty, or abused; it’s just faded. I personally would just finish the mechanical reconditioning, make sure everything oily is in tip-top shape, and just enjoy it. Not every old car needs to be taken down to the frame and painstakingly restored.
1966 Volvo 122S Wagon – $2,200
Engine/drivetrain: 1.8-liter overhead valve inline 4, four-speed manual, RWD
Location: Orcas Island, WA
Odometer reading: Reads 05833, actual mileage unknown
Operational status: Runs and drives great, driven daily
Old Volvo wagons and the Pacific Northwest go together like hipsters and shitty beer. They’re still the old battered ride of choice for plenty of car-savvy bartenders and baristas in both Seattle and Portland. Mostly you see 240s, but the 740/940 are well-represented, as are the newer 850/V70. But what you don’t see very often at all is an Amazon wagon like this – maybe because it takes a special breed of gearhead to balance a pair of SU carbs.
This old wagon apparently runs and drives well enough to still be in daily use, a testament not only to the 122’s quality and reliability but also to the owner’s commitment to keeping it on the road. Under the hood, it looks the way you want an old car to look: tidy, intact, with a smattering of new parts, but not so pristine that you’re afraid to get it dirty.
The rest of it is less nice, though I’ve seen 122s in way worse shape. The seat upholstery has some cracks and tears, and the driver’s door card is MIA, but I only see one or two cracks in the dashboard, and the headliner is in nice shape. Hey, I have to give it points where I can. I really like the character of the interiors in these old Volvos, with a wide rectangular speedometer, a long gearshift lever that comes from way forward on the tunnel, and that two-spoke steering wheel with a horn ring. It was anachronistic when it was new, but now it’s just really charming.
On the outside, it’s – colorful. And yes, one of those colors is rust. But it’s also only $2,200, for a car that will turn heads even in this condition and isn’t likely to leave you stranded.
It’s no secret that I prefer older cars to newer ones. But honestly, pristine show cars bore me most of the time. I prefer the survivors, especially the ones that have been kept in (or returned to) good working order. These are both inexpensive enough to use without fear, and rare and interesting enough to start conversations at the gas station, and that makes them cool. Which one would you rather be seen in?
(Image credits: Craigslist sellers)
There’s no wrong answer today other than not giving us a BOTH option!!!
This! I voted Studabaker simply because you don’t see those anywhere anymore, but I want both!
ooooo yellow on red,yeah I picked the Volvo
Going reluctant Volvo as it’s probably better to actually live with. If the truck were a 1/2 ton I may change my vote.
For that price? Both.
Definitely both, to complement the 62 Studebaker Hawk and 68 Volvo 144 in the garage. These prices are in the realm of reality too – has anyone else noticed the prices of classics has dropped substantially over the last year?
I’ll take the Champ. Fun fact: when designing this generation of Champ, cash-strapped Studebaker just used the front half of a Lark body for the cab (with a beefier grille) grafted onto their existing truck chassis, and then used the tooling of the previous generation Dodge for the bed.
I see the Lark lines now! I saw the obvious bed/cab mismatch immediately, it is jarring yet somehow charming at the same time. I figured the bed was bought from another OEM.
I’m torn between the two options today. Don’t need either but kind of want both. The condition of the Studebaker is impressive and when will you see another?
Studebaker was notorious for this kind of “creative re-use.” A family friend used this to his advantage when he too a 3/4 Champ similar to this one, grafted on the back half of a Lark sedan, and made his own early-60s crew cab. His workmanship was even good enough to fool some folks at the international meet one year.
I’ll take the Amazon and then spend that $2k difference on a basic spray job and some seat covers.
I just can’t want one of those Studebakers with the Dodge beds they bolted to the back. They’re just so awkward looking. I don’t hate them by any means, and that’s a nice honest example, but I don’t want one.
Wagon it is this time around.
Damn, this is such a BOTH day I’m having a hard time choosing. The shift pattern on that Stud looks like the one on my old Ford farm tractor.
I already have an old beater 3/4 ton truck with a manual trans so I guess it’s the wagon for me.
Both is the correct answer, but I voted for the truck because I currently don’t have (or really need…) a truck.
This is a situation where “both” should be the option!
The Chrome valve covers on the truck sold me!
I prefer the pickup but I voted Volvo because it is a daily driver. I have had bad luck with recently revived vehicles. In both cases, the previous owners did basic maintenance and repairs prior to selling and neither had obvious defects when I purchased them. However, both had random problems crop up every two or three months after purchase. These problems weren’t severe or expensive, but were inconvenient and often required a tow. After driving them for a few months and fixing these issues, both are now perfectly reliable. Given the Volvo is a daily driver, it seems like it would be a better choice since the previous owner would have dealt with these issues.
You cannot spell Studebaker with out to Stud Baker so I voted the Studebaker.
Also fun fact Studebaker had one of the largest natural advertisements you could see from satellite images/plane at their old proving grounds in Indiana. The trees are actually still there and you can still see that it says Studebaker from a Google satellite view of what is now the Navistar Proving Ground and they are actually under some sort of protection to keep the ad (trees) up.
OMG! Just looked, that’s awesome!
That’s really cool: https://maps.app.goo.gl/tGshdT9Dnb9uBj928
Oh and another fun fact on top of this right down the road is South bend (you know the city with Norte Dame) there is a Studebaker Museum I have yet to go but I will one of these days soon. I think one of the writers here should write and article about the history of some of this I think it would be really cool and maybe go out to the museum. They also have a big cars and coffee event at the Navistar Proving Grounds each year where a bunch of people bring their studebakers.
I went to the Studebaker National Museum something like 15 years ago before their big renovation and it’s easily one of the best car museums/collections I’ve seen. South Bend has tons of great industrial history and preserved mansions from the magnates.
Just an hour and a half east of South Bend is Auburn, home of the Auburn, Cord, & Duesenberg museum, National Auto & Truck Museum, and the Kruse Museums (huge WW2 vehicle collection and movie car collection). Northern Indiana is really an underrated place for car enthusiasts.
I’ll have to see about getting out to all of those museums at some point. I am about an hour or so west by south west of south bend.
Additional fun fact, the Bing maps aerial imagery used for Microsoft Flight Simulator is good enough that you can see the trees planted to spell out “Studebaker” in the sim!
In real life, they’re still trimmed and cared for because they’re a well-known informal VFR landmark.
I thought for sure I would go for the Champ, but damnit that Volvo wagon looks better and better every time I look at it. I would rattle can the passenger fender and rear door matte yellow while leaving the rest of the blemishes alone. The dent on the front edge of the hood looks like lipstick marks. If anything, you should clear coat that area to keep the kiss intact. I’ll go with the mellow yellow wagon and call it my minion mobile.
That Volvo would be really cool with a modern powertrain.
Everyone rips on the “Ronald McDonald” color combo generally, but I think it works OK here and is certainly unique.
Tough choice! I’m gonna go with the Volvo wagon. I could see dropping in a 22RE with trans in it to keep it going for the rest of my life trouble free.
Great thought there. All in for that.
I’ll take the truck. The fact that I consider the wagon to be a bit fugly (as presented) means that I’m not nearly hip enough for it.
I can smell that Volvo from here through the pictures.
You mean that smell of motor oil, stale cannabis smoke and 50 year old hippie stank?
Both of these vehicles will have distinct scent combinations to delight/defile your sniffer. With the Champ you can swap cannabis and hippie stank for tobacco and swamp ass. Vehicles like these are best enjoyed with the windows down.
I was thinking more like stale metropolitan library, rich exhaust fumes, burning oil, and zig-zags, but sure.
I bet finding 2nd on that Studebaker instead of the OD slot is a real adventure.
I’m thinking 1st is a creeper gear. 2-3-4 with occasional forays into 5 will feel natural in no time.
1st is probably non-synchronized as well
Yep, it’s really an H-pattern four-speed (3+OD) with both reverse and granny low “1st” on dog-legs. Not hard to figure out at all once you know what you’re looking at.
This one is legitimatly difficult. The truck I could actually use, the wagon I really want.
That wagon is great, and it’s in the best color, but I voted for the Rutabaga. I would drive it everywhere!
And not that it’s extremely likely, but that weirdo shift pattern is REALLY gonna be a theft deterrent. It will also prevent any dealership employees from high speed joyriding.
I’m trying to imagine why anyone would entrust a dealership with a truck like this.
The employees would take one look at that shift pattern guide and ask you to stick around to drive it on and off the lift for them.
That’s kind of what happened with my ’83 F150 that had a 3-on-the-tree. It baffled younger mechanics, and the older guys just laughed in the background.
Studebaker. The price on the Volvo is tempting, but I’d like an oddball pickup truck that is ready for work much better. Maybe get the interior fixed up but leave the exterior as-is unless there is some rust to take care of.
Both!
I love wagons, and have yet to own a Volvo. And, I’ve wanted a Studebaker truck for some 35 years: an elderly customer used his as his parts-getter whenever his wife didn’t care to go to town
Both great choices, but on a lark, I’m taking the Champ. Always liked the Champ and this one is the truckiest of all Champs.
Balancing SUs is so easy a used car salesman could do it. Gimme that sweet ass Swede!