Here’s a rare one. Studebaker only offered the low-priced, spartan Scotsman pickup for two model years: 1958 and 1959. And this one can be put in the survivor category, plus it’s been owned by one family for 63 years and has only 43,000 miles on it. The original owners passed the pickup down to their daughter who says it is “driven weekly to Lowes or Home Depot.” Located in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, this rare Studebaker pickup is for sale here on craigslist for $13,750. We’ve only featured three Scotsman pickups ever on BarnFinds, so thanks to T.J. for sending this tip our way.
As is pretty common in craigslist and even eBay ads, basic stuff like showing the engine and the cargo bed, as well as the truck’s history (has it always been a Florida truck?), is missing. So, we’ll have to let the few photos tell the story, but I like what I’m seeing. This looks like the quintessential survivor pickup that has been used but not abused. It appears to be all there, has a great patina on the original paint, and has the dings, bumps, and other surface imperfections that show it has worked for a living. If you wanted the cheapest, most basic, utilitarian pickup truck in America in 1959, all you had to do was visit a Studebaker Dealer. Scotsman advertising touted the best value and lowest price in the field at around $1,500 and even called their six-cylinder engine the ECON-O-MISER. One look at this truck tells you why. It looks like a ten-year-old design because it was. Studebaker used a warm-over ’49 model to save on production costs. There’s no chrome trim, the front bumper (there’s no rear bumper) headlight rims, and wheel covers are painted, and the interior is charmingly spartan. But at least this one has a spare tire. I read where the ’58 Scotsman came with a wheel only. You had to supply your own tire.
Based on the few photos, this old Scotsman looks solid. The only rust I’m seeing is on the bottom of the tailgate, but we don’t know what the bed looks like. It appears the windshield has some foggy areas on it. The inside looks good for its age and you get a glimpse of what the original red paint looked like on that simple, flat, metal dash. There’s a column shift three-on-the-tree attached to its six-cylinder engine, we’re told the directionals work, you can see the added glove compartment door that was added in ’59, no door armrests, and based on that steering wheel spinner, there was no power steering option. Although there’s a visible stain, the bench seat looks good and there’s a rubber mat and Studebaker floor mats on the floor.
At a time when most competitor pickups were designated by number or letter and number combinations, Studebaker chose to call their low-budget and value-conscious pickup the Scotsman (since there was a stereotype at the time that some Scottish people were, shall we say, “careful with their money.” Being of Scottish descent and observing my extended family for years, I can say there’s some truth to that). This would be the last year of the Scotsman’s two-year model run. In 1960, Studebaker would introduce the Champ pickup (using the new Lark’s body for the cab to save money), but sadly, production ended in late 1963. Hopefully, this Studebaker Survivor can find a second family to be the next caretaker and remain in its current condition. There just can’t be many Scotsman survivors left out there.
Well, you could just take and drop this one off at my place. I would give it a refreshing but little more than that. Once rust starts to set in it just keeps on going so best to stop it while you’ve still got most of the truck left.
It took many years for me to appreciate these offerings from Studebaker. Up until this model I can really dig. I always thought that the later ones with the non-fitting box were an afterthought and still think that way. Actually I really like the 1-ton versions of this truck the best. Rough riding for sure but they look great with those Budd wheels…
Attention folks, I was able to obtain, don’t ask how, a rare aerial photo of Geomechs place,,
https://aerialarchives.photoshelter.com/image/I0000dbZVrOGhKbY,
dang, my friend, if the cookie didn’t crumble the way it did, ( some say there’s a woman to blame) I’d buy you every vehicle in this photo,, maybe next time, if any.
I agree, the later ones with the Dodge box looked out of kilter, you know, put this next to a modern pickup, I DARE you to find ANY similarity whatsoever. Can you imagine, when this was good enough? Yes,yes I can and I’m sure you can too.
BTW, were the Scots really that frugal? If so, took a lot of pressure of me. I think it’s racist today to call something “Scotsman”. Remember the SNL skit with Mike Myers, “All things Scottish”? Hilarious,, sorry, cool truck, and a “crash” course in driving this antique, should be included with the sale. I’ll teach them, and tuition starts at $10gs! What?
My place? I wish. Mine would be more like the one at the top of the photo but it’s nice to dream. I might add that my wife wouldn’t mind a place like that, as long as there’s a fence between the house and the cars. She accepts my truck/bike/car addiction and doesn’t even say a lot about me reshaping stainless grill bars or working on an instrument cluster while we’re watching TV as long as it’s not in bed.
Scotsmen being cheap? Let’s just say that they’re frugal. I’ve dealt with a whole slug of another persuasion who are cheap beyond practical. But I’m reminded of a story that my Dad told numerous times:
Two Scotsmen were best friends; they grew up together in the same town, played together, partied together, went to war together, went to the pub together, even kept up their friendship after they married and had their own families. It finally came down to the day when one of them was on his death bed. He pulled his friend over and said: “Jock, will you do me a huge favor? After I’m gone I’d like you to pour a bottle of our favorite Scots whiskey over my grave.”
Jock thought about it for a moment then leaned forward and said: “Why sure David, I’ll pour a bottle of Single Malt over your grave, everyday if you like, but do you mind if I drink it first?”
Ha! To finish that statement, in my best Jimmy Buffett voice, “but I know, it’s my own darn fault”, You know, pal, retirement really is a time of reflecting on the past, and if I had saved every vehicle I ever had, it would easily look like that place. I truly admire people that could do that. I went to a yard sale, the couple were in their 60s, kissing Colorado goodbye, btw, with a giant middle finger, I might add, in the garage he had a PRISTINE 1967 A-H 3000, he bought when he was 19! Usually, in my case, the previous vehicle was sold to get another. Space, or lack of it, usually dictates what stays and what goes. While the “cheapness” of my religion doesn’t bother me too much,, quite frankly, it’s actually an honor these days, we all, or at least the folks here, have to be frugal today, but when someone says, “Did you “J” someone down on the price”, without really thinking it could be offensive, it still hits me in the gut.
Scottish is a nationality, not a race. The majority race in Scotland is Caucasian. Their reputation for being frugal is a cultural thing.
Howard,
Your “J” comment reminded me of the day my wife and I bought our farm. We were outside relaxing on Adirondack chairs in the shade, when an older neighbor in his 80s drove up on his tractor.
He introduced himself and told us which farm was his, and when he heard my last name, he proudly said “Good Scotch-Irish name! Glad YOU bought the old place, we certainly don’t need no “N’s” and “J’s” in the neighborhood”, as he got back on his tractor. [He did use those 2 full words that I will not use.]
I turned to my wife who was Jewish, and told her to make sure she put up her Star of David in the kitchen window, and her Menorah in the living room window, & do it before dark!
Never spoke with the old fart again!
As cool as this truck is, driving this in Fort Lauderdale would be a trip.
I know Studebaker brought back the 169 cid six in 1959 for the Lark. I would assume that is what would be under the hood, unless they sprung for the 245 “big six.”
I think you could actually get a 259 V8 in them. Kind of ruined the Scotsman and its frugal connotation but sometimes you’ve just got to get the load hauled–quickly…
My ’59 Stude had a 259 cu in V8 but it wasn’t known as a Scotsman, I think it might have been a Transtar?
SoloSolo,
Nice looking Stude! Yes, it’s a Transtar Deluxe with the 2-tone paint and extra chrome. And it has the updated fiberglass front grill instead of the older 1940s Grill on the Scotsman.
Was your truck a S. Africa CKD vehicle, or a later import? [Can’t tell from the photo if it’s RHD or LHD.]
Great pic of Geomechs place. Neat and tidy. Looks like mucho iron. Glad he is part of this community!! I can hear it now- “whatya mean clean it up? I spent my life collecting these cars that I’m gonna fix up. If you see something u want, see my widow”
Cheers
GPC
Nice truck and not bad as far as rust goes. Need more pics of the engine.
The usual suspects right on cue…
But to focus on the truck for a moment, I love the way it looks right now. All of my upgrades wouldn’t be seen with the hood closed. Power discs, P/S, A/C (which would be seen under the dash). The chassis is obviously not up to realistic standards, so if not a complete swap, maybe a front clip.
These rusted badly at the bottoms of the doors, the hood front lip and the floor edge/rocker panels. I bet better pictures might be in order as I can see rust at the door bottoms. Great trucks though, reliable and sturdy.
There is a simple and easy way to get modern suspension, brakes, power train, and other accoutrements. Buy a modern vehicle.
would go with my Scotchman car
Da Yum, I love this Studebaker Scotsman truck. These are the basic trucks of dreams, IMO,great find. And yes a bummer that they’re are no engine bay pics.
My dad had a 55 just like that one, I drove it around the field after he quit driving it and it set back there and rusted down.
I’ve kicked myself a lot for not taking care of it.
Nice pick up…
The only thing comparablly, cool to this Studebaker 59 truck would be an International truck of the same, or approximate year. I’m on a waiting list for a 350 long block for my 85 C10.
Hi Bill, thanks for the confirmation that my Studebaker was indeed a Transtar. I have no idea as to whether it was an import to South Africa built-up or a CKD but it was RHD. The first time I ever visited my in-laws for a week or so the plumber that lived next door owned this truck and I immediately fell in love with it. After the visit I never saw it again until the day about 25 years later I went to look at a ’51 Buick Super that an old man was selling. I loved the Buick so I bought it and on completion of the sale he said he would have to move his truck in order to get the Buick off the property, and low and behold, the truck was the Studebaker Transtar! He had owned it from new. I couldn’t believe it, fell in love with it all over again so I HAD to buy it as well! The sound of that V8 when he started it made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. I had it for several years before eventually having to sell it due to rust developing as I lived about 300 yards from the Indian Ocean. The guy I sold it to restored it beautifully and emigrated to Ireland and took the truck with him.
Studebaker had a fairly large facility in S. Africa to assemble the CKD kits, and as far as I know, they were all RHD vehicles intended for commonwealth countries. They assembles both cars and truck there. Some of the later trucks [possibly cars too] were offered with Perkins Diesels.