I’m assuming a “garage basement” is a garage on the lower level of a split-level, or a “walk-out”-type house built on a slope with a basement and garage built into the hill, and an opening for a garage door? And they call me Cap’n Obvious, I wonder why? The seller of this 1959 Studebaker Scotsman pickup was found in such a space, and it’s posted here on craigslist in beautiful Cottonwood, Arizona, and they’re asking $7,200. Here is the original listing, and thanks to Barney for the tip!
Or, maybe it’s a two-level garage built into a hill, and this Scotsman was found on the lower level? A friend’s dad had a two-level garage like that built into a hill, with an upper (main) level, and a lower level with a garage door on the side. It was the coolest garage I’ve ever seen, at least as a kid. A two-level garage with a metal grate stairway down to the lower level? Very cool. In fact, here it is, thanks to Google Street View. I haven’t seen it in close to 40 years, wowie.
This is the fourth Studebaker Scotsman pickup we’ve seen here on Barn Finds, and it seems like we’ve seen many more examples of this cool model. The confusion on my part is that Studebaker only made this Scotsman pickup model for two years: 1958 and 1959. It’s very similar to their E-Series pickups and is based on that model, but it has a different grille and was a base model. This truck looks super nice in the photos. Hagerty is at $8,200 for a #4 fair-condition truck, so this one looks like a bargain.
Clearly, it’s been repainted at some point, as seen on the door striker and other areas, but maybe that helped to preserve it. When it was found in that “garage basement,” it hadn’t been driven since 2007. It has a three-speed manual with a column shifter, as expected, and other than the goopy and faded paint, it really looks solid. The seller even included an underside photo or two, well done! The bed looks solid, other than the front edge by the cab, which is showing some sort of patch panel. They say it is a solid truck, other than surface rust underneath.
The engine photo surprised me; it looks much nicer than I expected it to be. There were two flat-head six-cylinder engines available in the 1/2-ton Scotsman, with a base 170-cu.in. version and a 245-cu.in. version. I’m not sure which one this is, but one of you will know. Page 7 of this brochure lists the specs for both six-cylinder engines available for the Scotsman 1/2-ton trucks.
The seller says, “Has new master and wheel cylinders brakes, new shocks, new water pump and hoses, rebuilt carburetor, oil & filter change, gas tank flushed. Starts up, Runs, shifts, goes down the road and stops great. Flat head 6 cyl, 3 speed column with overdrive. No smoke. Working speedometer says 68,500 miles. Lights, turn signals all work.” Even though it was only $1,500 new (70 years ago), $7,200 doesn’t seem like a bad price for such a nice truck, given how everything is priced these days. Do any of you know which engine this is?
Right up there with Special Agent Jethro Leroy Gibbs was always building a nice sailboat in HIS basement…
And on to this truck-now that it’s been freed with all its engine/drivetrain/ suspension type necessities addressed $7200 is a steal for a truck this clean in my book. $1500 in 1959 is about $16-17000 now, and finding a unique, recently refurbished hauler that doesn’t need an OBD reader to find an electrical sort or a fuel issue is kinda nice.
I’d love to bring it home but I think the IRS will be taking any of my loose change this year.
Again.
GLWTS-hope it finds a home that really appreciates it!
Leroy Jethro Gibbs
This looks like an honest solid Studebaker. I’d be so tempted to restore this one. I know the Scotsman was the base model, but thats what I like about them. The painted hubcaps, no frills, just what you need, and nothing that you don’t. ( you don’t NEED that door armrest lol). Wherever that basement garage is, it helped preserve it. Great truck here Scotty, thanks.
This is fun to see. I have a vague memory of one of these in my neighborhood when I was a (small) kid. It would be fine as-is but would be very cool if restored.
I have a neighbor who has a new brick detached multi-level garage. The main level is for two cars, the lower level is set up for one car or maybe lawn equipment, and the attic is for storage. It is quite nice.
Nice truck, good price, don’t do anything but drive it. Guess nobody’s worked in a bank-barn turned shop but me.
My parents built a mid-century-modern ranch home in the mid-50s. It was set into a hillside, and the basement was exposed on the side of the house. There was a garage door, but the entire basement was open. That’s what I picture as a “garage basement.” My father filled it with dirt track cars.
When I came along, 12 years after my nearest sibling, my father was forced to convert the space into a family room and a bedroom for my brother. Talk about sacrifice!
Am I the only one where the photos are giant, and format change? When logged out, the site seems “normal”,, and now this,,,
when someone mentions “Studebaker pickup”, this is probably the image most recognized. There was a reason for that. Studebaker trucks catered mostly to rural folks, a toss up between this and IH. Ford and Chevy were for “city slickers”, and since a huge portion of our population grew up in the country, Studebaker was a household name. Farms where kids grew up, drove these well into the 60s, maybe even graduation night. Splitting hairs which was better, all had “war technology” used basically the same parts, and came down to what dealer was the closest. They used this box on the Champ for a spell, but to many, Studebaker wasn’t really known for trucks as time went on. Shame really, Studebaker was one of the biggies, and an unfortunate demise of a great vehicle. The ’77 GMC I had wasn’t old enough, and I’d love to have this. See what fate has in store, I guess.
Yes
You’re not alone, Howard-upon opening this morning a black Rover instantly filled the screen. Thought I’d punched the wrong key somewhere..
New look for BF? Personally don’t mind as it’s easier to read without reaching for the glasses!
Never thought about it but yours is an interesting explanation of perhaps why we used to see Cornbinders and Study’s more than trucks from the Big 3 dealers around here on the small really rural ranches.
This guy has done a great job bringing his Studebaker trucks paint back to life. http://www.facebook.com/share/r/1D3mUHqirJ/
Thanks, Nev, I freak out easily these days, why the doorbell upsets me. I think the site will return to normal, I agree, it’s easier on these old peepers. Living in the midwest, seemingly, every farm had one of these. After Studebaker and IH went down, farmers went with Dodges, but not too often Ford or Chevy. Those pickups seemed to gravitate to city duties, home construction, municipal, local stuff, and I don’t recall too many of these in the city.
always surprised by the ‘size’ of these:
huge rear window, small instrument dash; fora mid sized.
The sedan/this went by ‘scots man’ my heritage so wanted one.
I like all aspects of the automotive industry, not just wrenchin. Have observed that
each company, @ some point, diverged from making motors with exact displacement of the others. The Studi/Ford ‘289′ was 1 I’ve pondered over the yrs w/the divergence mentioned.
At 8 yrs younger than me its in alot beddah shape!
If the garage is attached to the house (round here) U often see – the top fl for a car or 2, the bottom for living space. If not attached – the top was for easy access (off load grain, hay, etc); the bottom for livestock run-in. This made it easy for workers (just feed thru a trap door in upper-level floor). Houses a lill older in this prt of country, folks originally lived w/animals. Built a dedicated house to ‘move out’ (needed a barn 1st, forget the house. We survived off our stock).
4 decades Studebaker owner enthusiast. Thanks for the “Orphan” post. Studebaker loyalist love to see them .
Amazing to see that something as utilitarian as this perfect work truck came from the same company that designed the beautiful Sceptre-
https://youtu.be/anQNus3DG_k?si=fHlRJWzb7ecxdsyX
Nice job Scotty and Barney.
Buy it, give it another twice over once, and drive it just like it is.
I love it!!!
Darn glad the seller was found!
Fenders about 1/4-inch steel plate. Bet the doors “SLAM” really good!
This is the same faded red color that my 46 Dodge pickup had back in 1977 when my wife first spotted it. She was attracted to the truck, but then it disappeared for a weekend. She was told it belonged to Dave. So finally, the next week when she met me, she was disappointed! I weren’t no hippy.
All of the regulars have “hit the nail on the head”!! This is a great beginner truck.. Easy to Clean it up and drive it the way it is.. A solid weekend workhorse that will start many interesting conversations at local show, Cars and coffee and cruise ins.
To answer the early question; that is the smaller (170 cubic inch) flathead 6. The 245 cubic inch engine has very different intake/exhaust manifolds.
My big six powered tractor….allthough she had made it from West Dallas to Duncunville towing the Enco gasoline tanker she had on her since it was new – we decided to move it to my new mancave on my buddies flatbed. Sold it and it pop’s up For Sale every now and then….
Most ALL peoples forget Studebaker had 100 years of production 5 or so years before this one came out. They were the ONLY covered or buckboard wagon builder of the 1800’s to make into the horseless caraige era. They had electric cars and freight trucks BEFORE the 1900’s…….so as a 50 year Studebaker Truck owner I say BUY the heck truck !
Also point out for a BASE truck of the 50’s – it does come with a heater AND an OVERDRIVE transmission……
Thanks, great information on Studebaker! And overdrive is a valuable feature.
Still runner, Studebaker was NOT the only wagon maker to make it into the 1900’s.. Horace Brockway was building carriages and freight wagons from 1865 in Homer, NY. In 1910 his son George hung an opposed 2 cylinder air cooled engine on one of Daddy’s freight wagons and created the Brockway Truck line which lasted until 1977.
Sorry I upset you – the statements were of the pre-1900’s horseless caraige days of electric’s and not so much of the gas powered that came about.
Just needs a little VGG Shine Juice.