Last updated on August 2, 2023
Today’s featured vehicle is a 1959 Studebaker 1/2 Ton Pickup owned by Thomas Spoonerow. I photographed this rare truck at the “Classics with the Cardinals” car show located at Bishop Diego High School in Santa Barbara, CA. It is finished in a two tone combination of Hawaiian Light Green and Parchment White with a matching interior. This truck was originally purchased in Santa Paula, CA. Thomas bought this “barn find” in hundreds of pieces and commenced with a five year restoration. It now has 64,000 original miles on the odometer and is driven weekly.
It is powered by a 180 hp, 259 cu in, V8 with a Carter 2-barrel carburetor, mated to a 3-speed overdrive manual transmission with 4.09:1 rear axle gear ratio. Slowing this baby down are 11″ drum brakes in all 4-corners. It has a solid front axle suspension with 7 leaf longitudinal semi-elliptical springs and dual action shocks. The rear suspension has 9 leaf longitudinal semi-elliptical leaf springs with dual action shocks.
With a total 0f 153,823 cars and 7,737 trucks produced, Studebaker recorded its largest profit ever in 1959, $28.5 million! The MSRP for a bare bones 1/2 ton pickup was $1,875.00. These pickups had an estimated top speed of 82 mph with a 0-60 time of 15.7 seconds. a great example of a rare original restored pickup and is a great truck to take to a Studebaker event, an orphan show, or just to a local Cars & Coffee event.. Thank you for riding along. Frank
