The 1937 - 1938StudebakerCoupe - Express was yr ahead of its time , but one of the most innovative commercial vehicles in history was no commercial-grade winner .
As a car - pickup loan-blend , the 1937 - 1938 Studebaker Coupe - Express prognosticate by X theFordRanchero andChevroletEl Camino of the fifties . The 1937 - 1938 Studebaker Coupe - Express successfully melded car - corresponding comfort and styling with pickup stamen and utility . It did not , as Studebaker hoped , wiretap an unmet need in the marketplace .
Classic Truck Image Gallery
From the cab forward , the 1937 - 1938 Studebaker Coupe - Express tone arm was much like Studebaker ’s Dictator coupe . But behind the rider cabin sit a double - wall pickup boxwood capable of haul up to half a ton .
Advertising for the 1937 - 1938 Studebaker Coupe - Express stressed its unassailable , all - steel expression and roomie , comfortable hack with passenger - car appointments .
For exercise , the buttocks , ceiling , and door panels were upholstered in fabric ( leather was a no - toll selection ) and the seatback was adjustable . Dualwipers , sun visor , safety glass , and rearview mirror were standard ; so were rotary door lock for safety and easier closing .
Studebaker proclaimed that the " fully aerodynamic open pickup dead body is build entirely of 16 - gauge sword with prohibited and inside panels , combining strength and inflexibility with smart , modern appearance .
The 1937 - 1938 Studebaker Coupe - Express was snappy , too , with ample power in 1937 from an 86 - bhp , 217 - cid six and then in 1937 from the 90 - bhp 226 Commander six .
Styling of the 1937 Studebaker Coupe - Express was outstanding , as well – especially for a tone arm . Grille , thug , cab , and fender logical argument were in flowing concordance . And in line with its " posh motortruck " image , the 1937 Studebaker Coupe - Express had chrome bumpers at both ends , and a sidemount spare in the right front cowcatcher .
For 1938 , styling was revise by the famed Loewy Studios . Studebaker ’s 1938 car lineup also fetch a facelift from the Loewy Studios , which was on contract to Studebaker and responsible for most Studebaker car and hand truck designs from 1938 to 1956 .
The 1938 Studebaker Coupe - Express revisions included a prow - front grille in place of the former slender , lateral - ginmill radiator . However , the 1938 Coupe - Express eschewed the passenger models ' new fair - in headlamps , continue 1937 ’s pod - mounted unit .
The 1938 Studebaker Coupe - Express restyle also bring in a shorter hoodline that reduced clearance between the door and the tail boundary of the front fender . A $ 44.50 " standard accessory group " included a sidemount spare in the right front fender , bumper guard , and rider - side windshield wiper . alas , 1938 ’s curt tough draw the sidemount tire to sit above hood floor , make it look like an afterthought .
Other 1938 options were literal leather upholstery , a metal tire cover , vacuum - dominance gear lever , " Hill - Holder " grasp , and overdrive with freewheeling .
Despite good looks , fine performance , and a workable combination of solace and utility , sales of the 1937 - 1938 Studebaker Coupe - Express were piteous . Production of the Studebaker Coupe - Express top out in 1937 at between 3,500 and 3,800 vehicle ( sources disagree ) ; 1938 saw only about 1,000 copies build up .
Collectible Pluses of the 1937-1938 Studebaker Coupe-Express
Collectible Minuses of the 1937-1938 Studebaker Coupe-Express
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