1946 Studebaker Frame Diagram Needed

Does anyone have a copy of the Motor's Body & Frame Manual or Motor's Crash Book - or even a Studebaker Shop manual, that shows the X-Frame for the 1946 Studebaker Champion? (or years that have same frame)? I am in need of a good quality scan of it, greatly appreciated!

Eric

I have a 1947-1950 chassis parts catalog but it doesn't list 1946 anything.

For Champions it shows four frames for 6G-8G models [1947-50]

523289 Closed bodies Left hand drive

523292 Closed bodies Right hand drive

521913 Open body Left hand drive

521927 Open body Right hand drive

The illustration shows a rectangular frame with five cross members and NO "X" member??

What is the exact model vehicle you are looking for info on? Serial number etc.

I can scan a page but would like to do the correct one.

Stude8

I have a 1947-1950 chassis parts catalog but it doesn't list 1946 anything.

For Champions it shows four frames for 6G-8G models [1947-50]

523289 Closed bodies Left hand drive

523292 Closed bodies Right hand drive

521913 Open body Left hand drive

521927 Open body Right hand drive

The illustration shows a rectangular frame with five cross members and NO "X" member??

What is the exact model vehicle you are looking for info on? Serial number etc.

I can scan a page but would like to do the correct one.

Stude8

Stude8,

Like you, I wasn't able to find any X-Frame designs after 1946 - even convertibles. But apparently they did have X-Frames up to 1946 but depending on which version of book you look at, it may or may not show it. Older books seem to have it and someone sent me the chart from Motor's Body and Frame book published in 1950 (First Edition) but not in later issues? Attached is a small version someone sent me for the 1946 Champion. If you have it and other older models, please post.

I am still also looking for the Chrysler Convertible frame as well missing from later books but need for the 1946-1950 model.

Thanks!

Eric

Well I looked in the 1941-42 chassis book and YES there is a view of the X frame version for Champion and another for Commander and President models.

I'll scan it later today and post here.

Stude8

Great, thanks. Big scans if you will, I made a small one for the 1946 just to show as an example rather than reference. Eric

I hope the size is adequate, we have the worst SLOWWWW speed dial up ISP in the USA so file size is usually a problem. The scans are in the 500K size files.

These are from the 1941-42 Chassis Parts 6 & 8 cyl models Catalog dated Jan, 1945. I think most 1946 vehicles used left over 1942 chassis and mechanical parts.

The artwork is not dimensioned but with the part number you decide represents the frame you are interested in you can request a copy of the factory blue print for that part number from the Studebaker National Museum Archive in South Bend, IN.

Stude8

Looks good to me! thanks!... No dimensions charts in the book though, odd?

Anyone have earlier manuals than 1941 Studebaker?

I have a five drawer high file cabinet with parts catalogs, brochures and owners manuals. Most back as far as 1913. A lot of it scanned previously.

Recently was loaned many manual between 1913 and 1918 from a friends collections to identify starters and generators by vendor name and part number crossed to Studebaker. Quite a project, I have 105 starters and 127 generators identified by Studebaker part number and vehicle model application crossed to Autolite, Prestolite, Delco and Wagner sources 1913 thru 1966 cars and trucks. This is all in MS Excel data base sorted by year and series.

What earlier than 1941 info are you looking for?

Stude8

Wow, sounds like you have a treasure chest of information! But, I definately would NOT be needing anything as far back as the beginning

Only the cars with X-Frames which usually started circa 1932-1933. Not sure with Studebaker so my interest would be the 1930s up to and including 1946. mainly frame diagrams with dimensions only. That should narrow things down huh...

We can assume that Studebaker, even for convertible models between 1947-1952, did not use the X-beam reinforcement for their frames until 1959-1964 Lark and 1963-64 Avanti? Those I have.

Thanks!!!

Eric

Don't have much of brand X frames in the files, Avanti was about the strongest frame Studebaker built with the X member for strength.

I have a good story from some guys at Bonneville Salt Flats when we set the record with the Ron Hall supercharged Avanti in 1993. It was the first Studebaker to exceed 200 MPH with a Studebaker engine! It is now in Studebaker National Museum in South Bend.

The story was that in 1950's some one ran a 1953 Studebaker Coupe with a Chrysler hemi on board and when ever it got over 215 MPH it would spin out.

They had some video of one of the runs and with close inspection at that speed the Hemi was putting out so much torque it was twisting the ladder frame and lifting the left rear wheel off the salt, starting the spin out with only one rear wheel on the ground.

Here is a photo of an 1963 Avanti frame getting Corlar primer after sandblast job of body off restoration project.

Stude8

That is cool... a Studebaker speedster :eek:

Well, if you have anything from the 1930s you probably have some frame diagrams which will be X-Frames... up to 1946 anyway (of course skipping the War years)

I looked in 1929-40 8 cyl chassis book and found the two attached images.

Prior to 1934 Studebaker frames were ladder type with right angle cross pieces. From 1934-36 [b-2B&C-3C] they had a sort of hour glass shaped X member. Then from 1938-40 [4C-6C] they introduced an X member system.

B indicates Commander models, C indicates President models.

Stude8

I looked in 1929-40 8 cyl chassis book and found the two attached images.

Prior to 1934 Studebaker frames were ladder type with right angle cross pieces. From 1934-36 [b-2B&C-3C] they had a sort of hour glass shaped X member. Then from 1938-40 [4C-6C] they introduced an X member system.

B indicates Commander models, C indicates President models.

Stude8

Perfect but hope you still have that book near by? It doesn't give the "dimensions" for those frames... still need those charts that go with the A-B-C type keys on the diagram.. oops

Maybe you can also answer the general question as to why Studebaker did not use the X frame for their late 1940s-early 1950s Convertibles like other manufacturers, especially when they did use it in previous years on all makes?

Eric

Too late tonight but will try to scan the frame list tomorrow.

Stude8

Too late tonight but will try to scan the frame list tomorrow.

Stude8

Great... same for your other scan too Thanks!

Sorry, I scanned the file this morning but got dragged into other jobs and forgot to upload it. Well, hope 10PM isn't too late.

Stude8