Stude pickup truck A/C air conditioning

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. It's more of an amateur paint job so the paint isn't perfect, but a professional cut and buff would really help, but then again, would you use it as a truck if it were too perfect? 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 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. An efficient aftermarket air cleaner is easier to maintain than the original oil bath setup, and there are plenty of signs this truck has had regular maintenance over the years too. The transmission is a C4 3-speed automatic transmission with the expected truck gearing, so while it's happy at 60 MPH, it's definitely not for the Autobahn. The suspension is very solid and all original, and the undercarriage is a very honest representation on a truck that has been nicely cared for. 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!