1937 Studebaker Coupe Express Truck
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.
The Coupe Express utilized the Dictator passenger car frame, running gear, and front sheet metal. A new body stamping was made to form the cab back. An all-steel pickup box was built for the pickup models. The model was sold as a cab and chassis, with rear fenders attached, so a service box could be fabricated by the end user (such as a plumber, or depot hack).
The truck was powered by the larger of Studebaker’s L-head six-cylinder flathead engines and mated to a 3-speed manual transmission. Studebaker offered a Borg-Warner 3-speed transmission with overdrive as an option. Other options included, a radio, heater, wire reinforced sliding back window and turn indicators. Two wheel options were available including a stamped steel disc wheel and a stamped steel ‘artillery’ spoked wheel.
Production for the 1937 model year was approximately 3,000 units.
When we think of “light duty” or “pickup trucks” today, the many offerings of the Big Three usually come to mind. However, Studebaker was an early force behind the development of light-duty commercial vehicles, beginning with limited numbers of gasoline and electric-powered vehicles in 1904. A dual-purpose vehicle, it was easily converted from an open passenger car to a cargo and luggage transporter by benefit of its innovative removable rear seat. Coupe Express Truck are highly sought after today by vintage truck enthusiasts.
