Studebaker Truck Model Overview


This is a brief summary on how to distinguish among the different models of trucks produced by Studebaker. It will focus mostly on the trucks built from 1937 until the end of production in 1964. The major styling differences will be described. Please let me know of any discrepancies or additional information you may have. The series breakdown is as follows:

except for military trucks, further details are given on this page for the following:



* * * ALL PICTURES WILL ENLARGE WHEN CLICKED * * *




Coupe-Express (1937-1939)
Built on a car design, the Coupe-Express was the first light duty truck built by Studebaker. Today it's very rare to see one of these trucks at your local car show. They're highly collectable, and are probably the most expensive of all Studebaker trucks out there. Low and car-like, they're very distinguishable from the rest of Studebaker trucks. Coupe-Express front ends were styled to match that particular year Studebaker car. The 1937 model was based on the Dictator, several chrome trim lines go from the front grille almost all the way to the door. The These chrome trim lines were not on the restyled 1938 model in which the front end resembled the 1938 Commander. The 1938 front end was shortened from 1937 and as a result the spare tire is mounted much higher on the front fender. Then in 1939 the headlights were mounted inside the front fenders and the grille was split in two. sorry, don't have any 1939 pics







M Series (1941-1948)
A whole newly styled truck was produced by Studebaker in 1941 in which the front end style was unique to this truck. The light duty version was called the Coupe Express, no hyphen like the previous 1937-39 Coupe-Express. "STUDEBAKER" is stamped into the tailgate and there is also a "STUDEBAKER" nameplate on the top of the front grille. These trucks were actually made from 1941 to 1942 when production shifted to military vehicles during World War II. M Series pickup production resumed in 1945 and were made until 1949. Overall, the post-war models are similar to the pre-war models.





2R Series (1949-1953)
The 2R Series was the most produced Studebaker truck. This all new post-war design was created by Robert Bourke, Raymond Loewy's styling chief. During it's four year run, the 2R styling stayed basically the same with few minor changes. The hood ornament came from the Studebaker Champion car. This cab style is known as the C cab and was manufactured until 1964 for the heavy duty trucks and until 1959 for the light duty trucks. Many of these trucks have survived through the years and are commonly seen at Studebaker shows.





3R Series (1954)
Several changes to the 2R / C cab evolved Studebaker's trucks into the 3R Series for 1954. The most noticeable changes are the grille and windshield. Two horizontal rows of openings are in the front grille and the windshield became curved and one-piece. A V-8 engine was offered and the outside mirror is square instead of round.





E Series (1955)
Mostly mechanical changes were made for 1955. To distinguish between a '54 and a '55, look for the much longer "STUDEBAKER" emblem that stretches across the front of a '55. Also, the rear window is larger on the '55. The hood ornament for those equipped with a V-8 had an "8" on it and an "S" for those with a six cylinder.





Transtar (1956-1964)
The Transtar was introduced in 1956 and was the first Studebaker truck to have the model emblem displayed on the outside. The most notable feature distinguishing it from the '55 is the large "STUDEBAKER" nameplate mounted in the front inside the more rounded, restyled hood. Some were painted and some were chromed depending on the trim level. Also, the pickup box was widened by three inches.

The Transtar was restyled again in 1957. Detailed info can be found in the Transtar Introduction Report. A new, white, fiberglass grille with three vertical bars was added which gave the truck a buck-tooth look. The front bumper was enlarged and painted white. Mounted on top the front fenders were the parking lights, although many people switched them to inside the grille. Studebaker also made a Transtar 96 BBC (96" from bumper to back of cab) with a distictive flat front end and a square grille. These trucks are described further in the next section.

In 1959 Studebaker dropped the "Transtar" name and were simply referred to as "Deluxe" trucks. A 1959 exterior is similar to the '57 and '58 models except for the following: the '59 grille is painted the same color as the lower body on two tone trucks, there is no "Transtar" emblem on the side, just a "Studebaker" emblem, and the parking lights are mounted inside the grille instead of on top.

Light duty Transtars lasted until and including the 1959 models. After that, only heavy duty Transtars (1 ton and larger) were produced. The white grille came back as well as the "TRANSTAR" emblem on the doors. In mid 1961 Transtar Diesel models were introduced and designated as 1962 models. The word "DIESEL" is spelled out on the top of the grille for these models.





96 BBC (1962-1964)
The 96 BBC started back in the mid fifties. The name refers to (96" from bumper to back of cab). These heavy duty haulers are very distinct with their square grille and flat front end. Some states limited the length of a tractor / trailer combination. Vernon Whattoff designed the "trailer toter" truck where the frame telescoped to various lengths by using a system of pulleys. He was still just a couple of inches too long, so he lopped off as much of the front of the truck as he could get away with. Bascially, he removed any style grill that was added onto the front of the truck, and in some cases, he either shaped the hood inward, or just cut it off flush with the front of the fenders. Studebaker (and International Harvester) decided to make a truck that had this shortened length from the factory, instead of a factory truck being altered by another company. Studebaker offered the 96 BBC in both the Transtar model as well as the Diesel model. The BBC option was first introduced in 1962.





Scotsman (1958-1959)
In 1958 Studebaker introduced the Scotsman, a totally stripped down 1/2 ton truck that came only with a six cylinder. The grille is a slightly modified version of the old 2R Series grille. The hub caps are painted and so are the headlight rims. A plaid decal is found on the front of the '58 model while the '59 model has a chrome "- S -". Today, this is another rare Studebaker truck. I have yet to see a '58 model.





Champ (1960-1964)
The Champ marked Studebaker's departure from the old C cab style for its light duty line in 1960. This new cab was called the T cab. Borrowing much of it's sheet metal and style from the successful Studebaker Lark, this was a radical change from the C cab truck style which was produced for eleven years prior. In 1961 a wider pickup box style originating from Dodge was available known as the Spaceside.





Zip Van (1963-1964)
These were actually the last Studebaker trucks to be produced. Studebaker built these for the US Postal Service.









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