Allan Songer Posted July 8, 2007 Share Posted July 8, 2007 My wife has been driving Studebakers for 20 years. A couple of months ago we decided to to a frame up restoration on her '55 that has been her daily driver for the past decade or so. She driving a borrowed Nissan and HATES it. The Stude has a V8, 3 spd with OD and heater. NO power steering, NO power brakes, NO radio, NO power ANYTHING. And she wouldin't have it any other way--guess it's the mechanical engineer in her!! Today the engine and transmission went back in. If all goes well, she'll be driving her truck again in 3 or 4 weeks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pauln Posted July 8, 2007 Share Posted July 8, 2007 That's a beauty, love the color - same color as my guitar. I love no power steering or brakes (in my old Bug). It feels real. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarryO Posted July 8, 2007 Share Posted July 8, 2007 Now that's classic American Iron ! Beautiful. Check PM. Harry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groomlakearea51 Posted July 8, 2007 Share Posted July 8, 2007 Beautiful; Way Cool!! Very Retro!![] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
customtronic Posted July 8, 2007 Share Posted July 8, 2007 That is a beauty! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duke Spinner Posted July 8, 2007 Share Posted July 8, 2007 too cool, Alan ....[] hope yer wife wasn't driving on those tires in the truck bed ... [:S] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldbuckster Posted July 8, 2007 Share Posted July 8, 2007 Nice truck, nice job being done............. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allan Songer Posted July 8, 2007 Author Share Posted July 8, 2007 too cool, Alan ....[] hope yer wife wasn't driving on those tires in the truck bed ... [:S] Nah--those were on some temporary wheels while the originals were bead balsted and then painted a nice, deep red. Worn out bias play tires make for . . . ahem . . . "interesting" handling and braking! Running modern, Goodyear Wrangler 215/75-15 radial truck tires--I'm all for "original," but have opted for a few touches of modernity--radial tires, a 12v system with a Delco 1-wire alternator, a dual master cylinder --when you drive something this old as daily transport you have to make some changes. . . The motor was blueprinted and balanced by Valley Head Service here in L.A.--the original 224 was long gone when we bought the truck--it's got a 289 with the later "full flow " block--it is a 1964 "replacement" block--all Studebaker!! The Stude V8 is a GREAT engine--forged crank, solid lifters, gear driven cam--all stock! This one has a Carter WCFB 4-bbl and the original "oil bath" air filter. We had Valley Head put in all stainless valves and hardened exhaust seats. The tranny is the original Borg Warner heavy duty T-85 with OD and the rear end is the original Dana 44 with 3.73 gears. It's a great truck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duke Spinner Posted July 8, 2007 Share Posted July 8, 2007 a dual master cylinder - + 1 on that ....[] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daddy Dee Posted July 9, 2007 Share Posted July 9, 2007 Allan, Great truck! Hope you will post more pics when you get the sweetheart back home! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kaiser SET say Posted July 9, 2007 Share Posted July 9, 2007 I second Dee's post Allan, hope to see the finished product as it appears to be coming along swimmingly[] That tranny is bullet prooof and pulls like a tractor when dropped down low[] Class act and what a superb color for that vintage, I love that you are rebuilding that baby for her as my wife and I walked the boys to a shave ice stand last night and mine saw a light purple VW thing and she has wanted one for a long time and she always mentions those lovely under dash AC units which always keep you awake on a long drive by dripping ice cold drops on your ankle[] Just super Allan[Y] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oscarsear Posted July 9, 2007 Share Posted July 9, 2007 I envy people with this kind of know how. Where I live there's a ton of vintage cars sitting around in yards, etc.... I look at em and see potential in every one. Maybe someday........... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacksonbart Posted July 9, 2007 Share Posted July 9, 2007 Is that the same model that Fred G Sanford and Lamont drove? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
customsteve01 Posted July 9, 2007 Share Posted July 9, 2007 That one sweet ride for your misses. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Klipsched with Yamahas Posted July 9, 2007 Share Posted July 9, 2007 Wow, an old Stude', and you don't see them crusin' the streets everyday. My Dad had his Dad's '63 Chevy P/U.....rusted out to the hilt, w/straight 6 cyl (3 speed) and wooden rear deck. Man, I loved that truck! Unfortunately, the body wore out long before the engine. Nice Job on the resto Allan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allan Songer Posted July 10, 2007 Author Share Posted July 10, 2007 Is that the same model that Fred G Sanford and Lamont drove? Nah, that junk truck was Brand X all the way (a '51 or '52 Ford I believe). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicago_Pete Posted July 10, 2007 Share Posted July 10, 2007 Very nice Allan. Almost too nice to drive now? Heres a pic of my friends jalopy, I think he said it was a 46? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allan Songer Posted July 11, 2007 Author Share Posted July 11, 2007 Love that old Dodge. My wife considered a 40's pickup--even late 30's (she drools every time she sees a 1937-38 Studebaker "Coupe Express"--sort of the El Camino of it's day), but those 80-90 horse flathead engines and 4.72 gears make for top speeds in 50-60 mph range! And she wasn't interested in a hotrod, so we gravitated toward the later, 1950's trucks with "modern" V8 engines--being a Studebaker fan, she settled on the 1955 model--the last year with the clean front grill, the first year with a one piece windshield and large rear glass, the last year with the "small" pickup bed and the first year with the V8 engine--we looked for about 6-8 months before I found this truck in Claude, Texas (about 40 miles east of Amarillo)--I flew out there with a wad of cash and had the truck shipped to L.A.--the guy I bought the truck from was a wheat farmer and the truck was his grandfather's and basically never left the family farm. It was clean as a whistle when we got it, but the paint was a lacquer job and was cracking all over the place--finally this year it really started to look pretty weak, so the project began . . Here is a pic of the '38 Studebaker Coupe Express: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kaiser SET say Posted July 11, 2007 Share Posted July 11, 2007 Sweet one and I love the Air Force blue[] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eq_shadimar Posted July 13, 2007 Share Posted July 13, 2007 Great pictures!! I love the oldies. I have a 1967 Ford Ranchero. I don't know if that is old enough for you or if you consider it a "real" pickup truck but it is all I got [] Laters, Jeff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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