1953 Studebaker 2R11 3/4 Ton

COMMANDER 6

Manual

R119326

Clear

Gasoline

Greetings, from lovely Fredericksburg VA. As the saying goes "Don't see that every day". Now you could, of course, get you your vintage Studebaker pick-up truck somewhere else, but why would anyone want to ? Where, and when, are you ever going to see another truck like this. Here are some highlights, to illustrate my point: 17,000 original miles. It's actually in the 16,8ish range right now, but since it still goes out for a bit of exercise, I rounded it up. Original flat-head 6. The bigger, more robust Commander 6, not the Champion 6. Original paint. That has survived the years remarkably well. Not too surprising since it was inside a firehouse, most of it's life. Original mechanicals and running gear. We'll get into some specifics below. Suffice to say that this truck has been well cared for. 3-speed, with overdrive. This feature is working flawlessly, and really improves the comfort/ride/easy, that this truck has, out on the road. The, very cool, 'Fire Department Factor' ! It is, just as when originally purchased, a badass fire-fightin machine. How cool is that ?!? So here is The Big Picture: Originally purchased by the Upper Saddle River (New Jersey) Fire Department (copy of original NJ title is in-hand). Firemen, and women, are very fastidious about care and maintenance, and that is evident in this truck, even after all these years. My friend, for whom I am listing this truck, has had it for approx. 18 months and has done everything that the truck needed. He has put approx. 2000 miles on the truck and it has never had an issue. He purchased it from a fellow Studebaker Driver's Club member, and that gentleman provided very good stewardship of the truck also. When purchased (by my friend Mark) the truck was driven, from Georgia to Parkton Maryland, and made the trip flawlessly. Over the course of his (Mark's) ownership the truck has gotten the following: Main wiring harness, rebuilt (stock/mechanical) fuel pump, electrical fuel pump (added/installed as a 'back up' to the stock pump), water pump, front-end alignment, tie-rod ends, new battery, rebuilt generator (truck was converted back to 6 volts), new ignition coil, all 'tune-up' parts (plugs/wires/cap/rotor/etc.), seat cover (very cool NOS period plaid kit. There is a minor tear in the original upholstery), re-sprayed inner door panels and dash bezel. Professionally touched-up original (to the Saddle River FD) lettering, a very cool Studebaker Accessory fold-out vanity mirror, Studebaker under dash panel (this was used to hold the electric fuel pump's switch, rather than drill a hole), Radial tires (better ride/safety, and tons of life left on them), Serviced door channels and replaced glass, new weatherstripping, re-wired cab-forward and overdrive, newly wired turn signals/extra horn/siren/dash light, new fuel lines, new fan belt, lube/adjust wiper motor (vacuum powered windshield wipers !), new shock absorbers. The list does, in fact, go on (with documentation, of course). The focus, while Mark has had the truck, and the previous owner also, has been one of reliability, driveability, and safety. Remember it went from GA-to-MD before all this work was done. Mark drove it up to York PA, for the Studebaker Swap Meet afterwards, and it ran/drove perfect. Delivered approx. 20 MPG also ! I've added all the photographs, that E-bay will allow, but I do have quite a few more. So I can send you those, by request. Please don't waste both of our time, by asking for them, unless you are seriously interested in this fantastic truck. Thank you. You will see in the photographs, a section of the right front wheel opening, that is just starting to show a bit of corrosion. That is the only area on this truck. It really is that mythical, always garaged, low mileage, time machine. Could you find a restored one, at this price point ? Sure you could. Will you ever see an original example, in this condition, with this mileage, and this great a story, ever again ? Not on your life ! Since this truck is also listed elsewhere, and being shown locally, I reserve the right to end the listing at any time. All of you super Stude-heads will know oceans more about this truck than I. I will do my very best to answer any/all questions, and/or ask Mark, if the query pertains to his ownership period. Thank you so much, for looking, and Good Luck. (an especial hello and good luck, to you nice folks, up at the Saddle River FD).