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1938 Studebaker Coupe Express

- Only Made For 3 Years
- 226ci I6
- 3 Speed Manual Transmission
- 84k Miles Shown
- Green Exterior
- Green Interior

Studebaker was an enduring brand. They were the only carriage manufacturer that successfully transitioned from building horse-drawn buggies to motorized vehicles. The company survived where others did not, including two World Wars and the Great Depression. They were one of the first automotive companies to build electric cars, with the first built in 1902. They continued to produce groundbreaking cars with aerodynamic designs such as the Studebaker Champion or the Avanti and many a supercharged Studey has surprised more popular muscle cars at the stoplight! Another example of the Studebaker design ingenuity is the Studebaker Express Coupe. These trucks successfully combined the comfort and styling found in most high-end automobiles with the rugged capabilities of a pick-up truck. Unfortunately, the market was not quite ready for the luxury pick-up, but let it be noted that Studebaker was well ahead of its time with the “Cowboy Cadillac” luxury concept which is how all modern pick-ups are produced today. Despite the state-of-the-art design, and outstanding performance, the concept of combining comfort and utility did not catch on at the time and these trucks were only produced from 1937-1938. Sources vary but only about 4,800 were produced overall, with 3,800 in 1937, and 1000 in 1938 making these trucks quite rare. Garage Kept Motors is excited to feature this 1938 Studebaker Express for sale.

This truck was treated to an older amateur cosmetic restoration some time ago. The factory Fern green paint has some flaws in it but presents well enough for a great driver. This truck features the “standard accessory group” which included the side mount spare tire in the right front fender, passenger side windshield wiper, and bumper guards. Much of the chrome and stainless trim is original and shows some light patina and pitting. The trunk bed has been treated with a protective bedliner and the tailgate has a protective rubber liner installed to protect the inside of the gate.

Inside the cab has a great vintage feel. Door panels present as original pieces and the seat upholstery appears to have been recovered in vinyl. A characteristic of these trucks when new was the comfy cloth interiors, including the headliner, seats, and door panels. The headliner bows are still in place and this truck's interior could easily be restored to its original state by a good upholstery shop. The factory Bakelite steering wheel is present with some cracking throughout but is completely functional. There are many outfits that offer restoration of these vintage steering wheels, but frankly, the patina adds to the charm of this cool old truck. This dash features full instrumentation with embossed Art Deco font-style numbers and lettering that add some vintage class to this dash.

Under the hood sits the 90bhp 226cid Commander inline 6 providing plenty of power through the 3-speed manual transmission.
Under the hood is lightly detailed from the older restoration. Underneath, the truck is unrestored. A unique Studebaker engineering highlight is the independent front suspension with a transverse leaf spring. Most trucks and passenger cars of this time featured a solid front axle, and they all handled and rode like a truck, but not the Studebaker, it was the truck that rode like a luxury car! The frame boxed frame is solid with no rust, however, the floorboards and inner rocker panels have some rust through in places visible in the photos posted. The rear springs were upgraded with era-correct spring helpers to increase this pick-up's load capabilities. The brakes have been serviced including new hardlines and rubber flex hoses.

This is a really great old truck that runs very well, and as it sits is a great vintage vehicle to simply buy to drive and enjoy. As an older truck, this has just the right amount of patina to make it cool, like a well-worn pair of jeans. One could also purchase this truck and start a rolling restoration, driving it in the summer months while performing small restoration projects over the winter months. Either way, this truck is a great value waiting for a new family to start enjoy it! Please call if interested or e-mail with specific questions. Thanks for looking.