Summary

Stock frame, Heidts independent front end, power rack & pinion, 11' disc brakes. 2.8-liter V6 engine with 700R4 automatic transmission, Firebird rear end and stock leaf springs.

Details

This gorgeous pickup has been fully restored. The front half of the stock frame has been boxed. It features a Heidts independent front end with power rack & pinion and 11' disc brakes. Rear end has stock leaf springs with a Firebird rear end to accommodate the 2.8-liter V6 engine with 700R4 automatic transmission. All extra holes have been welded up, made smooth, and painted high-gloss black. All other chassis components are painted Charcoal Grey. The body has been straightened, smoothed, primed, and painted with PPG materials and topped with Global Clear. Body modifications include, frenched Cadillac taillights, filled body seams, Chevy S10 bumpers front and rear and narrowed rear bumper with and shortened ends. The front bumper took two bumpers to make one wide enough to fit the wide body of the Studebaker. Wood in truck bed was custom-made from oak, stained in walnut, sprayed with Global Clear, color sanded and buffed. All necessary parts were rechromed to a high shine. Interior features include an Ididit tilt steering column, Vintage Air and heat, Auto Meter gauges with passenger-side clock, AM/FM/CD player with four speakers. All the glass was replaced with green tinted glass to keep the nostalgia look. The pinstriping on the dash was all done by hand and the wood-grain steering wheel matches the hand-cut dash background. The entire cab was insulated with Dynamat and jute for sound deadening. Overall appearance of this 1961 Studebaker Truck is outstanding. It drives well, the fit and finish is beautiful, and the teal pinstriping sets off the Pearl White paint and teal wheels. This vehicle won second place in its class at the Sacramento Autorama in 2012.