Brand new styling was planned for '49 but due to lack of time that make over had
to wait for 1950 instead. Studebaker just did some minor updates on the '49s.
Champions got a new grille composed of horizontal and vertical louvers forming
three rows of rectangular openings. (A second full-width horizontal stainless steel
bar was added to grille). Standard wraparound front and rear bumpers were
introduced on both Champions and Commanders. The Commander three-
passenger business coupe was discontinued for 1949. The Commander
inline six was stroked to 245.6 cui and by that move good for an even
100 hp. Despite the minor updates sales were good and profit increased to
$27.5 million. Again both Commanders and Champions were offered as two-
and four-door sedans, 3 passenger coupe, 5 passenger coupe (which this
year and forward was named the Starlight coupe) and the convertible coupe.
Commanders also offered the longer Landcruiser. All were still available in
base DeLuxe trim or in the optional Regal DeLuxe trim except for the
convertible which was only offered in Regal DeLuxe trim. Champions
carried a 169.6 cui inline six producing 80 hp and Commanders had the
new 245.6 cui inline six with 100 hp.

A total of 85.604 Champions and 43.694 Commanders were produced
during the model year.