A lot of automotive enthusiasts have a soft spot in their hearts for the independents that made up a large part of the American auto industry and among them, Studebaker has a legion of loyal followers. An example of Studebaker’s truck offerings is this 1948 M5 half-ton pickup being auctioned on eBay in Ottertail, Minnesota with a current bid of $2,550.00 and the reserve is unmet.
To my eye, Studebaker built some of the best looking pickup trucks during the post war through 1960 era. Their designs were advanced with features like headlights integrated into the fenders and a car-like appearance in the front. The M5 can trace its roots to Studebaker’s prewar design when it was introduced and it remained in limited production throughout World War II for military use alongside their heavy haulers.
The seller of this pickup says that it has “solid floors, running boards, nice …bed bottom” going for it. The photos provided of the undercarriage also look fairly good. The exterior photos show a layer surface corrosion where the original battleship grey paint wore away giving it the look that a lot of old car fans love. I think there is word for that look but it escapes me at the moment…
The interior is all work and no play. This was well before the “gentlemen’s truck” came along and comfort was second to purpose. The seat cover may be original to the truck and if it had a rubber floor mat, it is long gone. Since it lived its life in North Dakota, it has a heater that would have cost the buyer extra, but freezing to death was not an attractive option, either.
Power is provided by a 169 cubic inch six cylinder Champion flat head engine cranking out 80 horsepower. Drive was sent to the rear wheel through a three-speed with overdrive or optional four-speed floor shifted transmission. The seller does not specify which transmission his truck has. As we say in the Deep South, “I don’t have a dog in this fight,” but if I did, I think I’d make this old truck reliable and safe and preserve it as it is. Perfect restorations are great, but how often can you find a truck like this one?
That could be a happy looking little truck with a little TLC.
I like it. I would love to have a truck like this for runs to the hardware store and breakfast diners.
I would probably upgrade the brakes and I know it is probably blasphemy but I would have to do a rolling restoration and have it painted. I have spent to much time around Italian cars to think rust is attractive.
Hmm now to watch eBay and avoid the wife.
Great looking truck. Looks like someone started to pull the motor. Looks to be pretty much disconnected. Have to factor a repair or rebuild into your plans.
Sweet Grass..Ottertail…Bugtussel. (OK I threw that one in ) God bless America.
Cool old truck and, as Kevin said, perfect for a small town’s version of Cars n Coffee
Not an angry bone in it’s body – I miss the look of a happy truck… when its just you and your pal doing whatever needs to be done, this M5 surely is at the top of the list.
I have a Model Truck just like that all painted up green they were sharp-looking truck I had one Studebaker in my life and it was a 51 sedan call her good features in it something called a Hill brake had a good sounding horn rode very comfortable sure wish I still had it it was like a baby blue color, and my friends called it the Blue Goose
When I see something like this on BF I immediately have this “Wow, that is beautiful” reaction. Great find. A true piece of automotive Americana.
I love that the front fenders and rear fenders are the same
Learned to drive on our farm in the early 60’s in one just like it. Restoring a 53 Dodge Pilothouse right now but would love to head up there if the reserve isn’t too high.
I certainly hope whoever snags this gem either restores it or at least gets it cleaned up and running with the original powertrain. None of that small block Chevy/Turbo 350 restomod nonsense. I’d love to get my hands on this baby, but Minnesota is a fair distance from the state of Washington.
I love the truck, it is one of my favourites from my youth, but I have promised myself not to get sucked into any new projects. One idea I had for the rebuild, would be to find and install a Studebaker V8 to make a runner that is capable of some highway driving.
I always thought that it was a tragedy that Studebaker was so important to the Second World War effort, and they couldn’t find enough of a market after the conversion to the post war economy. They were great trucks.
Bob
…’57 Chevy or ’56 F-100?….ppptttthhhh!!!….this is the greatest-looking pickup ever made. I know it’s blasphemy to many, and a basic cleanup and ready-for-the-road-with-patina would be super-cool, but here’s what I’d do: body-off restoration, tasteful hot-rodding – put ‘er in the weeds with not overly outrageous wheels and a nice little small block Ford or Chevy (or yes, a 289 Stude…very cool except hot rod parts would be impossible to find…), NO cuts to the body…leave it original as it’s waaay too good-looking to cut, tasteful paint (like the Scuba Blue on my Audi A4…), nice pair of 3″ chrome tailpipes out the back (with Flowmasters forward up the line…)…amaaazing. I’m up in Vancouver, and if I did that I’d have the sweetest, most unique and conversation-starting ride at the Maple Ridge A&W Thursday cruise night…:-)…