PRESS RELEASE

Champion Parts Reports Third Quarter Loss on Softer Seasonal Sales

    OAK BROOK, Ill., Nov. 11 -- Champion Parts,
Inc. (OTC: CREB) reported today a loss for the third quarter ended
Sept., 29, 1996 of $816,000, or $0.22 per share, on net sales of
$5,310,000, compared to a loss of $3,279,000, or $0.90 per share, on
net sales of $8,697,000 for the year earlier quarter.  For the nine
months ended Sept. 29, 1996, the company reported a loss of $986,000,
or $0.27 per share, on net sales of $20,744,000, compared to a net
loss of $13,894,000, or $3.80 per share, on net sales of $46.3 million
for the same period in 1995.
    1995 results reflect sales and costs related to less profitable
passenger car electrical (alternators and starters) and mechanical
(clutches and water pumps) products sold to warehouse distributors and
retailers, which were discontinued in the last half of 1995.  As a
result of the company's decision to exit these markets, additional
special charges of $630,000 and $4,730,000 were included in 1995 third
quarter and year-to-date results, respectively.
    "The third quarter is normally the low point in our sales cycle
and was approximately 350% lower than our first quarter," stated
Thomas W. Blashill, president.  "We have continued to work on
developing new business and on reducing costs.  This effort was aided
by the sale of the Fresno, California plant and one other smaller
facility, which has resulted in lowering debt and operating costs.
    "Our banks have continued to fund operations since the expiration
of our last formal extension on September 30," added Blashill.  "We
are continuing discussions with the banks and major unsecured
creditors on a restructuring of the company's obligations, and are
working to finalize a restructuring of these obligations by the end of
1996."
    Champion Parts remanufactures fuel systems, front wheel drive
assembly components and underhood electrical and mechanical products
for the passenger car, agricultural and heavy duty automotive parts
aftermarket.

                             CHAMPION PARTS, INC.
                             CONSOLIDATED RESULTS
                                 (Unaudited)

                           Third Quarter Ended          Nine Months Ended
                        Sept. 29,       Oct. 1,     Sept. 29,      Oct. 1,
                             1996         1995          1996         1995
    Net Sales         $ 5,310,000  $ 8,697,000   $20,744,000  $46,341,000
    Earnings (Loss)
      Before Interest and
      Income Taxes       (484,000)  (2,746,000)(a)   221,000  (12,108,000)(a)
    Interest              332,000      533,000     1,200,000    1,785,000
    Income Taxes (Benefit)      0            0         7,000        1,000
    Net Earnings (Loss)  (816,000)  (3,279,000)     (986,000) (13,894,000)
    Net Earnings (Loss)
      Per Common Share     $(0.22)      $(0.90)       $(0.27)      $(3.80)
    Average Shares
      Outstanding       3,655,266    3,655,266     3,655,266    3,655,266

    (a) 1995 reflects a pretax special charge of $130,000 and $500,000
of inventory write-downs in the third quarter and year-to-date pretax
special charges of $1,263,000 and $3,500,000 in inventory write-downs
related to the decision to exit passenger car electrical and
mechanical product lines.

CONTACT: Alex Tassos for Champion Parts, 619-737-7000