Studebaker Trucks

[Rob Z]

SJS is done casting, I talk to Steve from time to time and he say's he has no interest in getting back into it either. Next time I see him I will ask him if he may have any Studes laying around, keep your fingers crossed...

[jeffb]

masters still around???

[Clay]

SJS is done casting, I talk to Steve from time to time and he say's he has no interest in getting back into it either. Next time I see him I will ask him if he may have any Studes laying around, keep your fingers crossed...

Let him know I am interested in the 48 Truck and the Champ!!!

[dimaxion]

I don't know what year this one is but it looks like the resin one in the above post->

that truck is a beauty in real life too.

The Green truck pictured here is in the NATMUS Museum . It is a '58 FWD . The second factory offered 4 WD in the US . Dodge was first after WW II with the Power Wagon . So , Studebaker is the first to offer 4 WD as an option on an existing model instead of a whole different vehicle . Of course this is in the Modern Era after WW II .

Yes , I am another lost buyer of the Studebaker Truck line . I just cannot seem to get everything I want . So , I am happy and greatful for the blessings I have . Thanx ..

[Aaronw]

The Green truck pictured here is in the NATMUS Museum . It is a '58 FWD . The second factory offered 4 WD in the US . Dodge was first after WW II with the Power Wagon . So , Studebaker is the first to offer 4 WD as an option on an existing model instead of a whole different vehicle . Of course this is in the Modern Era after WW II .

Yes , I am another lost buyer of the Studebaker Truck line . I just cannot seem to get everything I want . So , I am happy and greatful for the blessings I have . Thanx ..

Studebaker did beat 2 of the big 3 (GM on a technicality) with a fully in house 4x4 truck, but it was not the second US built light duty 4x4 truck offered.

Willy's brought out a 4x4 pickup and wagon in '47, a year after Dodge introduced the Power Wagon.

International offered a 4x4 pickup in '53.

GM started offering "factory" 4x4 trucks using NAPCO conversions in 1956 (GMC) and 1957 (Chevrolet). These were factory built trucks, using NAPCO conversion kits installed by GM factory workers on GM production lines. So if you are really picky Studebaker beats GM by 3 years since they did not offer a 100% GM developed 4x4 until 1960. This is a rather nit picky point since most 4x4 trucks use outside sourced parts (Dana/Spicer, Rockwell, Borg/Warner etc).

Ford didn't offer a factory 4x4 until 1959.

It is still a nice truck even if Studebaker was #4 1/2 and they definitively beat Ford to the 4x4 market (kind of ironic since Marmon Herrington built one of the first light duty 4x4 trucks in 1937 using Ford trucks).

I saw one of the 1960s Studebaker trucks in the 80s and was really surprised to see how modern it appeared compared to other US trucks from the 60s.

[von Zipper]

IIRC, the other Stude pickup SJS offered was a Champ, but I'm not sure on the year...'60-'64 maybe? It had the same nose as the Lark and was much like this one:

Does any one remember the TV show called "Mr. Ed" ? that show was sponsored by the Studebaker Corporation from 1961-64, Wilber Post always drove Studebaker Larks and once in awhile he would haul supplys with a Champ pick up. I remember seeing an Avati on that show too.

Edited December 7, 2010 by Zipper

[dimaxion]

Does any one remember the TV show called "Mr. Ed" ? that show was sponsored by the Studebaker Corporation from 1961-64, Wilber Post always drove Studebaker Larks and once in awhile he would haul supplys with a Champ pick up. I remember seeing an Avati on that show too.

I stand corrected about my faulty information . I am not perfect and apologize .

I do remember Mr. Ed . I was a faithful fan of the show . My parents liked it or we would not have seen it . These were the days of ; one black & white family TV . I remember the Larks his wife drove . He drove both a Lark truck and Lark Wagons when those became abvailable . I remember especially the roll top roof wagons of '63 & '64 . Tha Avanti in the episodes I believe were test drives . Thanx ..

[Chuck Most]

I'd love to see a caster do a repop of the old Premiere Champ. Yes, it was crude and underscale, but I'd still love to have one!