You either love of hate these “M” series Studebaker trucks. We personally love them, due to their unique looks and the very classy mustache like grill and face. Although these Studebakers aren’t the most commonly seen trucks, this one fortunately has lived in dry storage for the past 30 years. This is great news, as it would appear this Studebaker spent its life in Michigan. After living in the northern part of the “mitten” this pickup is very solid, and appears rot free. With an opening bid of $4,999.00 we think this Studebaker is a great deal for the diehard M series Studebaker fans. Find it here on ebay out of Mancelona, Michigan.
The 169 cubic inch inline 6 installed into the half ton trucks, was borrowed from the Studebaker Champion. Boasting 80 horsepower and 134 foot pounds of torque. After its long hibernation, this Studebaker does not run, but fortunately does turn over. Taking a look inside of the engine bay shows some signs of minimal surface rust, but there is still a great deal of paint remaining. The inline 6 looks surprisingly clean after 3 decades of storage. It is easy to imagine this inline 6 thumping away again under its own power.
Taking a quick glance reveals a bit of a basket case interior, but if you pause and study this Studebaker, you will see what a beauty this truck really is. First and foremost, the floors look great, with no evidence of rot, or any severe damage. The bench seat is a little rough needing to be reupholstered, and the door panels are there, and are complete, but need some attention as well. The dash does wear a minor sprinkling of surface rust, but overall would clean up nicely. This pickup still has its heater, and there are some other various “extra” parts scattered over the floor boards as well.
Moving to the exterior, this Studebaker still looks solid, and promising. The truck bed, it’s walls, and the tail gate look fantastic. There are no signs of rot, dings or dents. The cab looks mighty solid as well, but there may be a little rust forming on the bottom passenger corner of the cab, hard to make out. The unique and prominent front end and grill are in nice shape as well, with no denting or dinging of the grill. The driver fender does have a minor dent, but otherwise, this is a fantastic opportunity for a unique and very stylish pickup.
Could you really say no to a face like this? We know we couldn’t. Solid, with loads of potential, we would throw our efforts into getting this one running, and inspecting its overall condition. We love the way this truck looks, but these Studebakers are also amazing once restored as well. What would you do with this 1947 Studebaker pickup?
Really? There are people who hate these? How can anyone hate Studebaker pickups? They were all amazingly stylish and ahead of the curve.
I will have to quote my late dad that owned large automotive shops and truck companies these years and through most of his life……….” They weren’t a good car when they were new…Why would you want an old one?” I think they are interesting for someone else. In my subjective opinion they always have been ugly. Give me a GMC or IHC………..
1947 Dodge.
Restored
1947 Ford
1947 Chev
Diamond T 1947
It doesn’t look that bad, though the cab corners are definitely gone. Duct tape doesn’t fix rust. I’m sure there are more issues elsewhere, but a strong starting point. For the asking price, not a bad deal.
To each his own opinion, but my experience was that Studebakers were excellent, durable, well built cars and trucks until 1953, when the bodies became instant-rust from bad steel, poor internal design and no rustproofing. Engines and gearboxes were bulletproof except the ’61-’64 Skybolt Six, and they were quite economical. The Champion flathead was great. I think these M-series trucks look insanely cool. I would love this one, but my garage is full and I’ve no need of a truck. I’d fix it mechanically, clean and sort the interior, upholster the seat, drive it as a survivor for awhile, and maybe someday paint it. It should be on the road. There are enough museum-class examples around.
I’m about to be the most hated man of the day but I say Hot Rod it ! Small block chevy ,standard trans,updated suspension, you know the whole 9 yards.Hey how bout we compromise and restore the body,and paint it an original Studebaker color .We can even restore the interior back to original.Now that would be a kool truck,mild mannerd on the top and all agressive underneath.
I have seen these with a Studebaker V8. That is the way I would go. I am pretty sure the cab caps are available.
Hi Ck, nah, you’ve got a ways to go before you take that title away from me, but you aren’t far off. While the little flathead did it’s job wonderfully in 1947, it just doesn’t apply today. Unless, of course, you are only going 2 blocks to the store. These are getting rare. I know someone that has 2, and won’t part with them. (one is a “parts truck” but with what people restore today, it probably could be sold by itself) If you want to drive it, modern drive train is the way to go.
Love it
Own a 1946….this is a nice one to restore – still think it’s a little on the high side for price – remember supply and demand. There are allot more out there….and you guys know the fenders interchange – front to back etc ?
…I echo previous comments–I love the looks of these early and rarely seen Stude trucks.. This guy selling it appears a regular flipper.. Can’t help but feel that engine was sprayed down with WD-40 or something similar.. Ad also gives very little info–and no comment or attempt to pull the duct tape from the cab corners? Oooooh—they dropped the price $500?? Take a chance Mr. Flipper (err “graderboy”) and run an actual auction with realistic price expectations..
These are easy to restore and parts any plenty for most things. Cab corners are needed in allmost every one found and are available at Classic Industries. SDC club members are well versed on these and much help can be found on their sites. Have a friend restoring two now and they are my favorite truck of all time. The price is a hair high but this one has great bones and little body work. They are quite often hot rodded with a v-8 of some kind and there is room for it under the hood.
I wish the horizontal lower front grill wasn’t there. Then the front end might look a little better. Love the stamping on the tailgate. Just the lines are a little weird for my taste. Such as the slant back of the windshield and the lower hood line seems strange.