1946 Studebaker M Series Pick Up

Pickup Truck

350 Ci Chevy

Automatic

Clear

Petrol

1946 Studebaker M Series Custom Pick Up. Studebaker manufactured the distinctive-looking M Series pick-up between 1941 and 1948, this is a 1946 example and was feature in the UK Custom Car magazine back in 1991. It then changed hands a few times before being bought by myself. Once i bought it, it was clear that the body would need some work and the chassis was past its sell-by date altogether. A set of rails from Chris Alston's Chassisworks in California was bought and equipped with independent front suspension, a Mustang II steering rack, servo-assisted disc brakes and a nine-inch Ford rear axle with five bar link. All of the suspension was custom built with "Polly Bushing". I installed a Hi-po 350ci (5.7-litre) Chevy engine from a Z28 Camaro. This was overhauled and mated to a TH350 transmission with a 2.5K high stall converter complete with new Lokar shifter and hand brake kit. While in pieces, the unit's compression ratio was lowered to 8.1:1 "in case the temptation to fit a supercharger became too great!" I also fitted a pair of Brodix big-valve alloy heads, roller rockers, Edelbrock hi-rise manifold, four-barrel Holley carburettor and Mallory electronic distributor, a full new custom made wiring loom in black cotton with an orange tracer line just to make the detailing correct. A serpentine belt system by "System One Pulleys" was added to take care of the water pump, alternator, power steering and Air Conditioning, and the installation was finished with a pair of custom-built aluminium fuel tanks, Sanderson stainless steel headers, a custom made dual polished stainless steel exhaust system plus an aluminium radiator cooled by a pair of electric fans. With all the mechanical work was under way, the body came in for some serious sorting too. New inner wings had to be fabricated from scratch, new rear tail gate and lower rear valance, the bare body received hours of preparation before the wonderful Candy Orange Metallic paint was applied and finished off with five coats of lacquer. Power windows and all glass was given a black tint. The cab was trimmed in Black diamond quilted Connolly hide and Orange French stitching. There is black Wilton carpet on the floor, Bentley piano wood veneer on the dash, facia and door capings, an AC unit (this is not your average pick-up!) and a full selection of gauges courtesy of Classic Instruments. An enormous glove box lid opens to reveal all the vehicle's switchgear and the head unit for the sound system. The pick Up sits on Torq Thrust 2 American Racing alloys shod with BFGoodrich tyres, while the all aluminium pick-up bed has hand painted black pin stripes. The Studebaker won the `Best Truck' award at the Damn Yankees Show in the UK on its very first outing. It was featured in the February 2011 edition of the UK Custom Car Magazine and has only covered 407 miles since all the work was carried out. This project took 5 years of hard work and over $200,000 invested in the bodywork, paintwork, interior trim, potent V8 engine and three-speed automatic transmission which are all in "show condition".This is one serious Pick Up