1948 Studebaker

M15A-20 Pickup truck

6 - Cyl.

Manual

M15A-22791

Gasoline

1948 STUDEBAKER PICKUP M15A-20, 1 ton ORIGINAL CONDITION Very nice original 1948 Studebaker pickup. Same owner since 1975. History of truck prior to 1975 not known. In 1975 it was purchased in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania while I was attending college at Penn State University. In 1978 a wooden house was added to the truck. The house was filled with my worldly possessions. The truck was driven to Southern California where it filled my work truck needs until 2008 when it returned to Aston, Pennsylvania. It has been garage stored since returning to PA. I originally planned to be buried in this truck but, have since decided it deserves a better fate. So, available for the first time in 35 years, Studebaker Pickup, M15A-20, serial number M15A-22791 is offered for your consideration. The truck is in overall good condition. It is and always has been a work truck. It normally received a gloss gray Rustoleum paint job every 5 to 10 years. It is currently sporting that paint job now. I have kept it running fixing problems as they came up but never restored the truck. Before leaving California in 2008, all front end sheet metal was removed, disassembled, wire brushed, painted inside and out, and reassembled with grade 8 hardware. The electrical system is 6 volt. The generator was professionally rebuilt at Richer Auto Electric in Oceanside California. An oversized 6 volt battery and mount was installed. The turn signals were rewired. The timing gear cover was resealed. The brake master cylinder was replaced. The radiator was cleaned tested and painted. The truck had the dash and windshield trim powder coated in 1994. The front bumper was straightened and chromed and the headliner and door panels were replaced in 1992. The front seat was reupholstered in 1989. The truck has the original 17 inch split rim wheels with new tires installed about 10 years ago. The tires remain in good condition with considerable tread left. A spare tire is mounted under the bed on the original storage rack. The spare is not fille with air. I will fill it but do not know at this time if it holds air. All tires have tubes. The truck has leaf springs on each wheel. It has Knee action shocks that I have never looked at and assume need overhaul. King pins are not overly loose and steering is fairly tight. Exhaust system is good. The engine is a 170 cubic inch, flat head, Champion motor, rated at 80 hp. The engine had a complete overhaul in 1993 with cylinders bored, new pistons, new main and rod bearings, valves and guides replaced as required. It starts and runs well. Hot running oil pressure is about 35 lbs. Transmission is 4 speed manual, no synchronizers. All gears shift well, no unusual noises. Clutch is good. The throw out bearing chatters erratically and has done so for the last 10 years. Speedometer and odometer work. Original amp gage and oil pressure gage works. Original gas gage works occassionally. The original temperature gage does not work. An aftermarket temperature gage is mounted under the dash. Normal running temperature is 170 F. The original Quad duty heater is installed but not wired or connected to coolant. The flexible defroster tubes are removed. The heater should work if desired. I didn't need it in California. Wipers are vacuum. Passenger motor is installed. Drivers is removed. I think I have it in the box of spare parts. All glass is intact. The drivers side of the windshield has discoloration on the bottom 2 inches from safety glass plastic separating. The windshield pieces are flat glass. The doors have roll up windows and vent windows. The roll up windows work but are loose in their guides with poor seals and need help to open and close. The vent wings work. The interior dome light works. The rubber floor mat is in good shape. The headlights, parking, brake lights and turn signals work. The body is relatively rust free with some through rust showing at the back lower corners of the cab. The floor and body mounts are solid. The pickup bed is all steel. It has been worked hard and shows floor denting from heavy loads, but no significant rust. The tailgate is original with lots of dents and the original STUDEBAKER embossing. The bed is a full 4 feet wide and 8 feet long. It will hold flat sheets of plywood. I normally used a 3/4 inch sheet for a bed liner. The body has numerous dents and dings. No major damage. The grill if fairly straight with some grill bars showing signs of straightening. The front bumper is straight and shiny. The hood ornament shines but has some pitting. The master cylinder was replaced 2 years ago. There appears to be a right rear wheel cylinder leak as this wheel has started grabbing and the brake fluid is going away. The brakes should be looked at. Emergency brake is a band around the transmission output and holds well. The cowl is equipped with a cowl vent controlled from knob under the dash. Interior and exterior door handles work, although the exterior drivers handel sometimes sticks. The passenger door has a key lock per original design. Bench seat is ok. It has about 6 inches of front to back adjustment by lifting the front of the seat and setting it on desired locating pin. Fuel tank hold about 18 gallons. The truck runs comfortably at 50 to 55 mph and gets about 14 mpg. I have a box of spare parts. I haven t looked at it lately but it should have a set of pistons, some valves, fuel pump wheel cylinder parts, brake springs and all the stuff I've kept from the truck over the years. I have a service manual and parts book. I've found parts readily available at "Studebaker International", Greenfield IL. The June 1986 edition of "Turning Wheels" Studebaker Drivers Club bulletin, has an extensive article on the "M" series trucks. http://www.studebakerdriversclub.com/ The truck is currently registered as a California Historical Vehicle. I have a valid California title. I live in California. The truck is located in Aston Pennsylvania. I will be in Pennsylvania through the middle of May. Please ask any questions you may have. The truck is available to show prior to auction close. The truck is sold "AS-IS" . Winning bidder must make $1,000 PayPal deposit within 24 hours of auction close. Full payment in cash due at pickup if pickup is on or before May 10th, 2010. Full payment by cashier's check prior to May 10th, 2010 if pickup will be delayed. I will not be available to assist in pickup if delayed past May 10th. The truck will not be stored indoors after May 10th. You have a maximum of 30 days for pickup after auction close. I recommend trailering the vehicle due to current brake status. Please ask any questions you have before auction close. Description is to the best of my knowledge. I am sure some defects have not been listed. Photos are the best description. Thank you. Good luck. I have inventoried the spare parts box. It contains the following: 2-each front wheel cylinder rebuild kits NOS, 2-each rear wheel cylinder rebuild kits NOS, 1 right rear wheel cylinder NOS, 1 gas filler neck grommet, 2 sets inner and outer front wheel bearings new, 2-each peddle floor seals new, 6 volt flasher new, 1 brake return spring NOS, 6-each SS front bumper bolts new, king pin set NOS, thermostat new, set of 6 pistons and pins 0.040 over NOS, water pump NOS, original orange and black Fram cartridge oil filter canister, floor starter switch NOS, 2 sets rear wheel axle seals NOS, upper radiator hose new, front brake hose new, distributor with vacuum advance NOS, 2-each fuel pumps new, spare wiper vacuum motor, 2-each SS wiper arms new, 5 each spring shakle bushing halves new, spare right fender used. Also have rear axle nut socket about 3 1/2 inch, and wheel lug nut wrench. Parts and tools included in the sale.