The first Studebaker Champion was introduced in 1939 as a clean sheet design after disastrous sales of the 1938 models. Lighter bodies and a new 6-cylinder engine helped the car into the low price markets and styling by Raymond Loewy Studios. Launched in March 1939 the Champion was priced underneath the 'President Eight' and the 'Dictator Six' and was intended to compete head-on with Chevrolet, Ford and Plymouth. Studebaker sales doubled in the year after introduction of the Champion. A 2.7-litre inline six engine was fitted. In 1941 the Champion was given a more streamlined look, and it was this model with a few changes that commenced Studebaker's production in 1945. For 1947 Studebaker upgraded the engine was to 2.8-litres and gave the Champion an entirely new body styled at Raymond Loewy Studios by Virgil Exner. Most distinctive was the wraparound 4-piece rear window on the 2-door cars, which became the Starlight coupe in 1950. As well as the Starlight light coupe, there was also a business coupe with a 2-piece rear window which wrapped around less; the same window was also used on the 4-door sedan, and there was a 2-door convertible (without rear window!). The next generation of Champion was launched in 1953 with the stunning new body by Robert Bourke, from Raymond Loewy Studios.