falconvan Posted March 22, 2012 Report Posted March 22, 2012 I thought this was cool; in 63 the Westinghouse Appliance Division contracted with Studebaker to build them a user specific fleet of service vehicles. They wanted something resonably priced that would be a Westinghouse only vehicle. Studebaker came up with a simple cab over pickup and a van design. One of each was built as a prototype but Studebaker went belly up before they could start building them. This is the last Studebaker truck they ever designed. This truck was a supposed barn find that ended up in a museum and they dont know what happened to the van. I thought building a replica of this on a Dakota chassis would be cool. Quote
Plymouthy Adams Posted March 22, 2012 Report Posted March 22, 2012 and I always thought the Powell was a rolling box. Quote
falconvan Posted March 22, 2012 Author Report Posted March 22, 2012 and I always thought the Powell was a rolling box. I guess they figured since it would be hauling refrigerators, it should look like one. Quote
pflaming Posted March 22, 2012 Report Posted March 22, 2012 Maybe I'm the exception, but to my eye, that is cool! Quote
greg g Posted March 22, 2012 Report Posted March 22, 2012 The studebaker truck group that I belong to sponsors that truck at the South bend Museum. Our contributions go toward its conservatory costs. When I was there two years ago it was in the basement "garage" of the Museum. If you were into trucks back inthe late 50' and early 60's you may remember the Jeep Foward Control line that was alos out at that time, Also corvair, econoline, and Dodge A 100 vans had there open bed models. Quote
Plymouthy Adams Posted March 22, 2012 Report Posted March 22, 2012 well..it is what I call unique as that it is far from the traditional look...that may be it's unique attraction..for sure I think the goal was cheap and utilitarian in its approach..it's not hard to form metal to make a box...had this been an all out effort of design team for a new style truck for the masses..simple to understand the reason Stude folded Quote
Plymouthy Adams Posted March 22, 2012 Report Posted March 22, 2012 The studebaker truck group that I belong to sponsors that truck at the South bend Museum. Our contributions go toward its conservatory costs. When I was there two years ago it was in the basement "garage" of the Museum. If you were into trucks back inthe late 50' and early 60's you may remember the Jeep Foward Control line that was alos out at that time, Also corvair, econoline, and Dodge A 100 vans had there open bed models. long after the VW transporter and many other European lorries for that matter... Quote
Merle Coggins Posted March 23, 2012 Report Posted March 23, 2012 I saw one of those Forward Control Jeeps at a car show here in Waukesha a couple of years ago. I had never seen one before. Merle. Quote
Frank Elder Posted March 23, 2012 Report Posted March 23, 2012 They made them in gas tankers too Merle. Quote
Merle Coggins Posted March 23, 2012 Report Posted March 23, 2012 WOW, even a crew cab version. Here's the one I saw. Quote
Dan Hiebert Posted March 23, 2012 Report Posted March 23, 2012 They were useful in the desert, too. No hood to get in the way of spotting tracks out the windshield..... Quote
fatFreddie Posted March 24, 2012 Report Posted March 24, 2012 The CHICKEN TAX...a must read WIKIpedia article http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicken_tax Quote
Don Coatney Posted March 24, 2012 Report Posted March 24, 2012 Pictured below is my dad and a 49 Plymouth. This car was a loner from a repair shop my dad used. My dad bought this car for me when I was 14 years old. When this picture was taken we lived next door to a Shell gas station as seen in the background. This station used a forward control Jeep and you can see the front of it in this picture. Quote
Plymouthy Adams Posted March 24, 2012 Report Posted March 24, 2012 I sometimes catch myself knocking the ugly Studebaker and I got to confess and come out of the closet as they say..I do own a 1950 Studebaker Commander...now in retrospect, they don't get much uglier than this..a face as they say only a mother could love. These bad boys were just so radical I had to get it..eing the Commander it does have the big 247 Cu In block and three speed with OD..factory sun visor tops it off..I hope to do something with it one day..there is zero rust through in the body except for a couple small holes in the trunk..quick fix there..just to let you know I don't just knock Studes for the heck of it, I am an owner so I think that may give me some tire kicking rights...lol Quote
Rodney Bullock Posted March 25, 2012 Report Posted March 25, 2012 Hey Tim, relieve yourself of all that guilt:D Let me come get the thing. Everyone please be aware Studebakers are a aquired taste. It ain't for everybody. Those of us that are lucky enough to have one. love them;) as for their looks......Well have you ever seen an ugly girl that wasen't glad to see you:cool: " I'm going to the moon and I'll be gone 3 days" Well you be careful and have a nice trip:p See that's called brand loyalty. Please excuse my humor. Quote
JBNeal Posted March 28, 2012 Report Posted March 28, 2012 why build a replica when Chrysler might just start selling these things... Quote
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