A classic car is no more to repair for regular type of maintenance things. The problem comes in when you need parts. You have chosen a very popular brand that has many supporters,you can find a lot of information and support through the Studebaker club of America. As you know by now the car takes on a different life and becomes a part of the family and yes this becomes expensive as you will do anything to save this car. Have fun you have been chosen as the keeper and protector of this piece of history! Some times we don't choose them, they choose us. Good luck!!.***:D
About the only issue is finding parts. Not many 1951 Studebaker's on the road today. Not likely your going to find parts locally and probably not at a local auto-parts store. Auto-parts stores are only required to carry parts for any particular car for 20yrs After you have to find specialty places that deal with vintage parts Custom parts have to be made for it and that can be expensive. I worked in vintage Mercedes A screw for a light fixture can cost upwards of 20 dollars Because the only way to get one is on used cars that were junked, taken apart. So if you find parts Looking around may be a good idea to buy them for future break downs.
The old cars are much easier to learn to work on very simple system no major electronics or Tupperware like newer cars I specialized in 1960 or earlier vintage Mercedes It was much more costly for those owners Because parts are far few and in-between. And not a lot of mechanics in the USA could repair them. Not very profitable either to be in business for vintage parts Unless you carry current parts too Many folks go out of business because there are not a lot of vintage car owners So Constant searching for parts jumping all over it when you find one is a very good idea
Hope it helps
Lr
While those old cars are simple and fairly reliable, parts are going to be an issue. You can't just go to any parts store and get the parts for it. They are probably available via companies that supply classic car parts, but don't assume they are cheap, or easy to find.
That's why cars like that tend to spend a lot fo time parked, and only get taken out on Suday afternoon.
Of course , they stopped making Studebaker parts many decades ago.
I am thinking of getting a 1951 Studebaker Champion and though it runs now, it may not in the future. What I need to know is are repairs much more expensive when it comes to this kind
