Vehicle Description
1963 Studebaker Transtar Starmaster Pickup
The 1963-model 8E-series trucks went into production on August 31,
1962, after the Studebaker truck plant had been shut down for a
full six weeks. There were a few changes and improvements in the
8E-series trucks. All V8-powered trucks got a new engine block with
a full-flow oil filter. Despite being diagnosed with cancer,
Sherwood Egbert continued his frenetic pace at the helm of
Studebaker. He was convinced that there was a market for diesels in
medium-duty trucks, so Studebaker introduced a new line of
diesel-powered 1-ton (8E15) and 1�-ton (8E25) trucks for 1963. They
were powered by the 3-cylinder, 97-horsepower, Detroit Diesel model
3-53 engine. Unfortunately, it would be another twenty years before
a U.S. market for such trucks developed, and sales of these models
were disappointing. As Fred Fox has remarked "As has been said of
Studebaker so often, they were just too far ahead of their times,
and in this case the saying was absolutely correct."
For consignment a vehicle where you can be the only one on your
block, or maybe even the state, that has this example of the 1963
Studebaker Transtar Starmaster 1-ton pickup chassis now with the
back bed being replaced with a stake body frame in wood. I guess
one could say it's called a 'Stude Staker!
Exterior
The beneficiary of a frame off restoration this truck was 100
percent redone according to the consigner. An 8E-13 model rated at
1 ton. A massive front grille painted in white frames the front and
sports 3 large "teeth" with a single headlight on either side. A
wide chrome bumper below which is near perfect protects this front,
as does the vented hood flanked by the rounded front fenders with
the turn signal lights atop. A single pane of glass windshield and
cab lighting above along with straight doors with well minded gaps
and a large chrome mirror hanging on either side, is a nice
contrast to the red exterior, and believe me when I say red, as it
is DEEP RED! On the rear flatbed which is total oak board varnished
to perfection within a strong black painted metal frame then side
push through strapping that holds the vertical wood "beams" with
their wider horizontal wood slats which sections can be removed at
random. Next to the cab is a custom-built toolbox framed in oak,
and it has an aluminum panel to protect against cargo hitting it in
front of the bed. A large frame is behind this and frames the rear
glass on the cab. Diamond plate shined to the nines is the back
roll-on that houses the taillights and marker lighting. A tow
package is on, and the rear wheels are for dual tires, the fronts
are large steel wheels with central bolts, just like the big
rigs.
Interior
As noted everything was redone and with a swing of the doors you
are greeted with a beige molded vinyl panel which has the pull,
window crank, and door actuator levers within this beige panel.
Surrounding it is straight red steel. Floating on black rubber
floors is a wide full-length bench in beige vinyl with no marks or
tears. The dash has the instrument cluster to drivers left and also
shows a column mounted tachometer with an original large black
steering wheel on top of this column. In the center is the
"climatizer controls" and on the passenger side a black painted
glovebox which floats in a field of the red steel dash front.
Shifting is courtesy a long floor shifter, and all is really nice
inside.
Drivetrain
Just stunningly restored with a pristine black block in the form of
a 289ci V8 topped with a single 2-barrel carburetor. Yellow valve
covers add to the look and contrast nicely with the shiny red
painted engine bay. Noted also are all supple shiny hoses,
corrosion free bolt ons and all new wiring. On the back of the 289
is a 5-speed manual transmission complete with overdrive. This
pushes power rearward to the duelies that are held together by a
Dana 60 rear.
Undercarriage
Too big for our lift, however a peek underneath and we see straight
rust free steel nicely coated in black, a stainless steel exhaust
muffler system, clean wood framing for the bed, and leaf springs on
front and back suspension to carry the load for the front and rear.
Big drum brakes are on all 4 corners.
Drive-Ability
Hopping up into this excellent example of the "Stude staker, she
fired right up and idled smoothly. All was working perfectly with
this truck, and it runs as well as it looks. This is a true
turn-key vehicle fully restored and in the most professional way.
Dual rear tires, cab lights and that big front grille you will be
just short of a big rig, and if you want to go that route, we have
one of those too! This though is way more practical and imagine
showing up to a job with this example, talk about getting attention
and remaining in a customer's mind!
Excellent sums it up. Need I say more? And I could also mention
RARE...