Studebaker was seeking to look fresh against its newer design rivals and gave its basic '47
bodies a dramatic cowl-forward facelift that was quite uncommon at the time. It was designed
by Bob Bourke. The new front increased wheelbase by one inch for all 1950 Studebakers.
The lineup was unchanged except for a priceleading Champion Custom that was sold for low
$1400s. The new technical news was "Automatic Drive", an excellent new fully automatic
transmission which was made in cooperation with the Detroit Gear Division or Borg Warner.
Front coil springs replaced outmoded single transverse leaf configuration. Champions still
carried a 169.6 cui inline six producing 85 hp (up 5 hp) and Commanders had the new
from '49 246.6 cui inline six now producing 102 hp.(up two hp from 1949)

A total of 270.604 Champions and 72.562 Commanders were produced
during the model year.