Vehicle Description
Yep, Studebaker built trucks and rather stylish ones at that! After
the war, it was a virtual free-for-all in the automotive world with
alliances and corporations being built, and Studebaker was
definitely a player at almost all levels. This wild and unique 1951
pickup has been really taken to another level with its creative
restoration, and if you're looking for something unusual today,
it's a fabulous choice.
Studebaker was perhaps the first truck manufacturer (except for
maybe Hudson) to realize that style would sell trucks as well as it
sold cars. Sure, they all had rugged good looks, but if you look at
this Stude next to any of the others, it looks sleek and advanced.
Painted light green and yellow, all separated by a purple-striped
pattern, it has a wild attitude that turns heads everywhere it
goes. I think I'd leave it as-is and just have fun and not worry
about it. The important stuff is in great shape, and it doesn't
look like it was ever structurally rusty or patched back together,
which is a rarity among vintage pickups these days. There's not
much trim, and most of it is painted to match the unique scheme
anyway, although the Studebaker badges are all there. And you're
really going to love the "Studebaker" script on the tailgate which
will set this truck apart at any show you attend.
Quite likely stocked with a simple vinyl bench when new, this
Stude's interior now features gray cloth bucket seats and a middle
console out of a later model vehicle. The dash, pillars, and tops
of the doors are covered in the same high-impact green paint found
outside, and the plush yet subdued carpets calm the whole cab down
a bit. Custom door panels cover the inner workings of the doors and
offer armrests, speakers, and a power window switch each, which is
a luxury not found in most pickups, and the factory step-up design
makes it easier to get into this Stude than the competition. Auto
Meter gauges are lined up on the dash in front of the driver, a
Vintage A/C unit is attached to a custom panel underneath, and a
Panasonic AM/FM/CD player is just below that, along with a CB radio
set-up. The aftermarket steering wheel rests atop a tilt column,
and the Lokar shifter that juts from the floor board controls the
C4 3-speed automatic transmission below. As unique as the exterior,
but a comfortable place to be for sure.
Under the hood is a updated Ford 300 cubic inch inline-six that is
about as durable and sophisticated as an anvil, but it sure works
great. Power production is aided with the help of a Holley
carburetor and a dual-port Offenshauser intake, while a thick
aluminum radiator keeps the whole show nice and cool. The engine
bay was dressed during the restoration and has been driven and
enjoyed since, with a shiny chrome valve cover, some mirror
accents, and a few braided hoses, and although it's certainly not
perfect, it still shows nicely. The transmission is a C4 3-speed
automatic transmission with an upgraded chrysler rear end so the
truck will cruise comfortably at modern speeds. The front
suspension is upgraded chrysler parts and makes the truck handle
the road much better than stock. Keystone wire wheels are wrapped
with 205/65/15 front and 235/70/15 rear blackwall radials and give
this truck an added boost in the charisma department.
For the guy who likes to be a little unusual and likes a lot of
flash, this Studebaker makes a fine statement. Call today!
