Ernest Lewis' 1939 Studebaker Champion Streetrod Build

Description: 1939 Studebaker Champion Business Coupe built by Ernest Lewis.

A power train that shines, built on a Corvette 350 four-bolt main, with a Blower Drive Service 871 supercharger, this Stude is overpowered to say the least.

The chassis was modified (to lower the engine and thus the center of gravity), stripped, sealed, and painted for a complete "frame rotisserie" restoration and modernization of technology. 

Before roof chop. Chop in progress. The roof chop was leaded and done by Butch Ruby.

Ernie had his brother-in-law Carey from Canon City do the paint.

Before and after the front fenders were attached during the paint process.

On the trailer ready to go to Swink after completion of bodywork and paint.

Plenty of trunk space and a very coveted Jaguar rear end round out the back end of this all class and no expense spared street rod. The Studebaker winged emblem pictured above was hand cast and finished by Ernie, another one-off piece and hidden Studebaker "S" Emblem.

Ernie kept the interior tasteful and classic, with just a hint of updated technology in the Alpine aftermarket stereo deck. Battery access is neatly tucked behind and underneath the driver's seat from a Corvette rear seat storage area.

Ernie Lewis' pride and joy, his 1939 Studebaker Champion Business Coupe with fresh paint and ready for glass installation. On a side note, the combination of a lower drive train(including the transmission pan) and the extra concrete pad entering the garage was lethal to the transmission pan. If the car entered the garage at the wrong angle it predictably damaged the pan. It was replaced at least twice. Imagine the cleanup of a large transmission fluid pool and you know why Ernie kept an extra transmission pan on hand.

Although limited to the front end of the business coupe, the chrome trim attracts attention nearly as much as the throaty exhaust complemented by a supercharger whine. Here she is in Grandma's drive way complete, shined up, and ready to cruise.

After Ernie passed, family friends Ron and Carol purchased Ernie's Champ from the estate. They regularly take it to car shows, where it still wins awards. Ron and Carol recently took both of their show cars to one of Ernie's favorite shows at the Holy Cross Abbey in Canon City.

Ron, "The Volkswagen Guy" takes great care of "Ernie's 39 Champ," it is one of many as his collection includes hundreds of cars. If you ever need a vintage Volkswagen you know he had to sell a few to add this to the collection. I've always had my eye on Walt Cranson's delivery van from the Book Stop, but Ron isn't done restoring it yet. If you see Ernie's Champ at a Colorado car show Ron is quite the character to talk cars with. Ernie would be happy that Ron is the custodian of his 39 Champ.

On display in Alamosa during the Early Iron Car Show over the Labor Day Weekend in 2018.

Display materials Ron shows with Ernie's 39 Champ.

Ron's display of the build that accompanies the Studebaker when at shows.

The "Best of the 1930's" Award from the La Veta Oktoberfest Car Show in 2018.

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