1949 Studebaker 2R5-C2 Pickup

The M-series Studebaker trucks came in several versions both pre and post WW II. The M-5 was a 1/2 ton PU. The M15 was the 3/4 ton version. The M15A was the one & 1+1⁄2-ton version. The M5, M15, and M15A all came with the Champion 169 ci. engine, only. The M16 1-1/2 & 2 ton versions came with the more powerful Commander 226 ci. engine. The Studebaker US6 version was produced during the war to government specifications; using a different nose and engine configuration, in both a 4×6 & 6×6 versions of a 2+1⁄2-ton truck. In early 1945, Studebaker was given permission to produce some M Series trucks for civilian use. These early post war civilian trucks used the Studebaker US6 cab with the government style swing out windshield.

This 1949 Studebaker 2R5-C2 is a ½-ton pickup that was built on December 3, 1948. It was in storage from 1988 to 2012, when it underwent a mechanical refresh performed. The truck is finished in blue over tan vinyl upholstery, and power comes from a replacement 170ci inline-six paired with a column-shifted three-speed manual transmission.

The painted steel wheels are mounted with Kelly-Springfield 6.50-16LT bias-ply tires. Red-painted spare wheel with the same size and bolt pattern is included.

The cab features a bench seat that was trimmed in tan vinyl. Features include a GM-sourced rearview mirror and three-point seat belts with a center lap belt as well as a disconnected BFGoodrich heater. Replacement window guide hardware, window whiskers, a regulator spring, a door handle spring, and an inside latch mechanism.

The Studebaker 2R5 pickup continued through 1953 with virtually no change apart from engine boosts (to 85 and 102 bhp) in 1950. Thus, the 1951 Studebaker 2R5 pickup is almost impossible to distinguish from 2R5s from other model years.

Studebaker’s first V-8 arrived for the passenger cars in 1951, but wouldn’t enter trucks until 1954, in the Studebaker 2R pickup’s successor.