1937 Studebaker Coupe Express
The Studebaker Coupe Express was a passenger car based pickup truck, produced by the Studebaker Corporation of South Bend, Indiana, between 1937 and 1939. Unlike other concurrent pick-up trucks, the coupe express mated Studebaker’s passenger car styling to a full size truck bed.
This 1937 Studebaker Coupe Express was powered for driveability the heavyweight L-head six was excused in favor of a low-mileage GM LT1 engine. It’s backed by a 4L60E transmission. Making good use of a ’95 Buick Roadmaster and a similar-vintage Chevy S10 for its rear end.
Inside the cab is things clean and simple. When painted black, a Lokar shifter is a little less recognizable, and in this instance a very tasteful touch. The original banjo style steering wheel’s rim is almost unbelievably unrestored. Interior trim is authentic mock leather. Equipped with area-appropriate climate-control there’s heat on tap with defrosting capability. Around these parts, that’s all that’s really needed anyway.
The Studebaker Coupe Express was one of the few prewar pickup trucks available with an optional overdrive transmission.
The Express is also pleasant to drive, with a road car manners, and it is very practical, even in modern traffic, with the only limit being the very vertical driving position with little legroom for the tallest of drivers. The only limitation of the Express is that it is somewhat unknown, because, usually, those who see it fall in love with it and want it.
