1946 Studebaker M Series Pickup

Lot details
Registration No: XSV 511
Chassis No: M519803
Mot Expiry: Jan 2013

Studebaker manufactured the distinctive-looking M Series pick-up between 1941 and 1948, though as production concentrated on the war effort between 1942 and the cessation of hostilities, the road version only really had a five-year reign. `XSV 511' is a left-hand drive 1946 example and was first considered worthy of a feature in Custom Car magazine back in 1991. It then changed hands a few times before being spotted by the vendor while visiting a friend's Jensen garage in Southampton. Apparently he'd always `had a liking for the tough bull nose trucks of the `40s, and this being a rare M Series made it all the more special - "it was like having an itch I needed to do something about".

Once purchased and ensconced in the seller's workshop, it was clear that the body would need considerable fettling and the chassis was past its sell-by date altogether. A set of rails from Chris Alston's Chassisworks in California was duly bought and equipped with independent front suspension, a Mustang II steering rack, servo-assisted disc brakes and a nine-inch Ford rear axle with five bar link. The existing 460ci big block Chevy engine was ousted in favour of a hi-po 350ci (5.7-litre) Chevy unit that just happened to be on the premises, following its removal from a Z28 Camaro. This was mated to a TH350 transmission with a 2.5K high stall converter complete with Lokar shifter.

Taking no chances, before installation the engine was overhauled on the premises and the gearbox entrusted to Alders Automatics. The opportunity was taken to squeeze a bit more performance from the already potent V8 courtesy of a pair of Brodix big-valve alloy heads, roller rockers, Edelbrock hi-rise manifold, four-barrel Holley carburettor and Mallory electronic distributor. A serpentine belt system by "System One Pulleys" was added to take care of the water pump, alternator, power steering and Air Conditioning, and the installation was topped off with a pair of custom-built aluminium fuel tanks, Sanderson stainless steel headers, a dual polished stainless steel exhaust system custom made by Pipecraft plus an aluminium radiator cooled by a pair of electric fans. While in pieces, the unit's compression ratio was lowered to 8.1:1 "in case the temptation to fit a supercharger became too great!"

Whilst all the mechanical work was under way, the body came in for some serious sorting too. Much remedial work was required in the pick-up area and new inner wings had to be fabricated from scratch. Once fully sorted, the bare body received hours of preparation before the stupendous Candy Orange Metallic paint was applied and topped with five coats of lacquer for the optimum shine. The windows were treated to electric power and all glass given a black tint. The cab was trimmed in Black diamond quilted Connolly hide and Orange French stitching by MK Auto Upholstery. There is black Wilton carpet on the floor, Bentley piano wood veneer on the facia and door caps etc (this is not your average pick-up!) and a full selection of gauges courtesy of Classic Instruments. An enormous glove box lid opens to reveal all the vehicle's switchgear and the head unit for the sound system - room for gloves there is not! The whole ensemble rides on Torq Thrust 2 American Racing magnesium alloys shod with BFGoodrich tyres, while the all aluminium pick-up bed had black pin stripes hand-painted onto it.

After an investment of five years' graft and over £110,000, the vendor not surprisingly now regards the bodywork, paintwork, interior trim, potent V8 engine and three-speed automatic transmission as all being in "show condition". It seems others agree too, as `XSV 511' won the `Best Truck' award at the Damn Yankees Show, Harlow on its very first outing. Displaying just 400 miles since its reincarnation, the venerable Studebaker is now seeking a new, suitably appreciable owner to complete the running-in and put this splendid British hot rod to good use. It was featured in the February 2011 edition of Custom Car Magazine and comes complete with a big shine and MOT into January next year.

PLEASE NOTE: The vendor informs us that this lot has had £158,000 spent on it since 2005.