Studebaker truck cabs looked the same from 1948 to 1959. The only change was to a one piece windshield in 1954. This pickup is listed on eBay in Boerne, Texas. Bidding is over $3,000 with about 6 days left. It sat in a barn in Nevada for over 30 years. It runs, drives and stops. The seller did a lot of mechanical work, so it should be well sorted. It’s got a 289 V8 and a 3 speed transmission. It is completely original except for the interior. There’s a lot of surface rust and pinholes reported in the corners of the cab but the floors are solid.
This is what the interior looked like when it was found. The seller says it was a bit smelly. That towel doesn’t look very fresh.
It cleaned up nicely inside. Things must smell better now without the towel.
The floors are in great shape. Notice he just painted where the paint will be visible when the mat is installed.
The bed looks well used but solid.
This old truck has some great possibilities. It could be left as it is. There would be no worries about parking lot dings or friends damaging it when they borrow it for a home store run. One could upgrade the brakes and suspension or even coax more ponies out of the engine. It would take a lot of work, but you could even make the outside look as nice as the interior of the cab. I think I’d at least want to get that bumper level. What do you think it will sell for?
A REAL cheapo paint job ! Probably everything will stick now !
What’s underneath the paint ? ? ?
A 1959 Studebaker pickup just sold on TV auction this weekend for $32K
The TV auction was a later “Champ”, which was a very different truck. It was basically a Lark chassis. Not my cup of tea, and I’m a Stude owner!
Actually, a very rare pickup. This model appears to be the “Deluxe” as they sold a basic version called the Scotsman.( Studebaker always seemed to pick the Scottish for being thrifty and cheap) These were also called the Transtar, but the name was curiously dropped in ’59 for pickups, and reappeared in 1960 on heavier models. Last year for this style, as in 1960, the Champ, with Lark styling was introduced. And O/D is a welcome addition. I think the inside looks great. Very cool truck, and like the seller sez, you’ll probably have the only one at a show.
Hi Howard. I agree on the Deluxe claim. It’s also interesting how a certain group of people can be singled out for being tight-fisted. But I think it can also apply to the Irish. Years ago I took a home electrical course at the local college. We were wiring up a guy’s basement and the instructor was constantly accusing me of being a Scotsman. I told him that I was more Irish than Scot. Back to the truck, and Studes in general, I always liked the no-nonesense Scotsman package, as long as it’s got the optional heater…
There has been a great job done on the interior why would you stop there. The body work needs to be done and paint applied. If you leave it the RUST NOT PATINA will continue to eat away at this trucks metal. Single stage paint is not that hard to apply and is correct for this truck, so I hope the new buyer will take it the rest of the way. Nice find.
Hi Mark. I certainly agree; continue the job through to completion. Actually the interior is one of the most time-consuming tasks in a restoration. Just going through the instrument cluster can take weeks….
Although the C-cab truck body style was used for those years the front grille was changed using three different styles over those years. I own a 1957 C-cab 3E7 halfton Deluxe. I have had it for 5 years and have gone over the mechanicles (sp?) in that time. I can say that parts are all over the place and it was easy to fix up as I am not a machanic. Very fun truck to own and I use it as a daily driver. People flock to it every where I stop. It can keep up to the normal everyday driving traffic.
I live local to the original owner of this truck in Fredericksburg. Could not have been “flipped” much quicker than this!
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Just some minor comments: I think Studebaker pickups (1941 to mid 1948) were M series; and from mid 48 until 54? were R series and then the E series (1955 to 59?) and then Lark “cabs” from (1960 to 64) for 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton pickups. The E series cabs (called C-cabs) were used through 64 on larger trucks. The R series and E series look almost the same from a distance, but there are major differences: the E series has a one piece front windshield, a larger rear window, a wider bed, and was the first year for a V8. I have a 56 2E7-12 with the original 224 V8, three speed and overdrive since 1973. I have driven it from LA to Washington state and back and from New Jersey to Dallas and (because of the overdrive) it will easily stay up with traffic. Parts are plentiful and has some interchanges with other cars of the period including Jeep (brake parts, steering sector shaft…). However, I left my truck set unused for a long time (years) and the ethanol ate through the gas tank (long story). I couldn’t easily find a good used gas tank and ended up having a stainless steel tank custom made–which was expensive…
But these trucks are simple, easy to work on and parts (except gas tanks) are readily available.
This is another bucket lister for me.. I fell in love with them after seeing one in the made for TV movie. Hot Rod: Rebel of the Road.. also fell in love with primer, gasser Willys.
There are three of them (the Studie pu, not the gasser Willys) within 10 mins of me and I am keeping an eye on all of them. Someday.. maybe not too distant future.
More minor comments: the front bumper is not stock. I am guessing it is from a passenger car. It looks fine, though. Also the 55 and earlier hoods are quite different from the 56 and later hoods. The Scottsman did not have the cutout for the chrome “Studebaker” trim shown in the front center of the hood. They used a decal that I believe said “Scottsman.” 56 was the first year for 12 volts. The 55 and 56 grills were slightly different (location of the parking lights) and from 57 on (I believe) the grill (used on the high end pickups) was made of fiberglass. Interestingly, the 56 (and likely earlier) metal grills have a “crank” hole that lines up with the center of the crankshaft pulley which accepts a crank. I have never seen a hand crank as an option for these trucks, but I haven’t looked very hard. I don’t think the fiberglass grills have that crank hole.
Just a little correction – 1954 was the last of the R series and the first with the one piece windshield but still had the small back window. The grille was also new and would carry over to 1955 but the 1954 hood would have different nameplates and hood ordainment. The 1955 was the first E of the E series with a V8 like was said and the new big back window. The hood trim was different also with a 6 or 8 hood ordainment in front. Really think the 54 grill where the parking lights are is different between 54 and 55 but I only have the 55 grill handy. 1956 is a no brainier on the grille/hood which like was said would carry on in the big trucks through 1964. Been watching this truck for awhile…..
Think Idaho Potato Truck.
Studebaker tried to make do with existing components and minor upgrades for years due to finances. It definitely looked dated compared to a truck that year from the big three. Still, they didn’t give up. You have to admire them for that.
…and that means that parts are interchangeable across many years. Very handy 50 years later!
Studebaker had many new innovations that no one else had. They also used a heavier gage steel than it’s compeditors. It was a better made truck than the big three.
Well it apparently sold once for $6,601 but the buyer didn’t pay. I just won it on the second ebay sale for $5,300. It will be coming home to South Bend for a full restore.
Congratulations, Kevin! Post some pictures as you go!