There is no doubt that the role of trucks has changed in the past 60 years since this truck was produced. It’s not uncommon (where I live at least) to get passed on the interstate by a 4 Door F250 with a 450hp diesel that has never had a trailer hooked to it or anything other than groceries in the covered bed. When the original owner bought this truck, I’m sure they had a useful purpose in mind other than just transportation. Find this beautiful ’52 Studebaker 3/4 ton truck here on Craigslist in Tiverton, RI for $11,000. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Peter Rettig for the tip!
Studebaker built the 2R series truck in South Bend, Indiana from 1949 until 1953, the 2R series of trucks had sizes available from the 1/2 ton 2R5 all the way to the 2 ton 2R17. This truck is listed as a 3/4 ton so it should be a 2R10 model. These were quality built trucks that were powered by a 6 cylinder flathead engine, the ad mentions the engine is the larger six cylinder that was offered, which is probably the 226 CI.
The truck runs and drives great, the ad does not have any pictures of the underside or engine compartment, but lets hope its as good as the outside. Lots of work has been done including, new king pins, brakes, heater, rebuilt starter and a new NOS tailgate! The buyer is going to need another truck to haul away all of the spares that come with the deal including, 2 spare engines, spare transmission and a spare 1/2 ton rolling chassis.
The transmission is a column shifted 3 speed. The interior of this truck is basic to say the least, but it gets the job done. If I had to critique anything on this truck it would be the seat, the color choice of the bench seat is a little off, but thats an easy fix if it bothers you. I would probably go with a dark tan saddle color but thats my opinion. Considering the condition and rarity of the truck, along with the spare parts I think this is a good deal, there are many uses for an old truck like this, general weekend hauling, parades, or put a company logo on it and use it for advertisment in front of the shop. What would you do with it?
Gorgeous!
Doesn’t get any better than this. This was a workhorse with a little flair. I feel, it was the nicest style of all the trucks at that time. Studebaker was on top of it’s game after the war, many vets wanted Studebaker trucks because of the war. O/D is not mentioned, a handy addition for today’s driving, 55mph being about it without. Still, probably do 55 all day and not complain. Great to see one like this again.
Calling this a “good deal” is a massive understatement.
What a handsome truck!
Mine had a small six and the three on the tree which I’m sure was the base on those 3/4 ton’s. Man it was a good old truck and the good story was going down to the local sand/gravel/rock supplier and telling him to fill it up with some small rock for the shop driveway- he wasn’t smiling but I was when I drove out with a little over a ton ! It was patina’d way before the name was used. Here it’s on the way to it’s new home. Note : it had like new tires and tubes – so I wasn’t to worried with that steel bed back there…it was a slow crawl back to the shop about 3 miles down the road.
I wouldn’t worry so much about the truck taking the weight, it’s more like Sheriff Joe Higgins or Sheriff Buford T. Justice( I’ve dealt with both) waiting just outside the gravel pit,,,”You in a heap o’ trouble, boy”!!
Sweet ride. I grew up in a small NC town and there was a family that drove nothing but Studebakers. They had everything from rolling rusted out Fred Flintstone cars to cherry Golden Hawks but they did not have a truck. I am sure they would love to have had something like this in their collection. My neighbor had, I think it was a 49, dark green truck similar to this one; I wanted it in 1974 and I wouldn’t mind having this one now.
Studebaker was ahead of the rest in 1949. These trucks were the first to have concealed running boards- GM didn’t get there until 6 years later, Ford 8 years later. The Studebaker also was the first with a double wall pickup box. Sadly, unfunded pension obligations kept the company from continuing development of their vehicles, and the desperate merger with Packard only made things worse.
The 6 cylinder engine would be 245 cu.in. This was a further development of the 226 in engine that was introduced in mid ’49. It was stroked, but the main improvement was the enlarged main journals. What this engine lacked in horsepower was made up in torque. Remember at the time, speed limits were in the range of 45-50, and at these speeds they performed well for the loads they were designed for. I would suggest that the greater majority of their trucks were used on the farm, where speed wasn’t important.
I’m a bit late to the conversation…You are right, it is a 245, which makes this is a 2R11, not a 2R10. I owned its (much worn) twin 20 years ago. It’d actually hit 60mph, though it was a bit uncomfortable. But 50mph all day, flat road, hills, whatever. And as long as you could keep the tires hooked off road it’d keep pulling. One of the neatest engines I’ve ever owned.