It has been 30 years since I saw my first 37 Coupe Express, I had brought my 1946 M series truck to the international show in Orlando Fla. 1986. I had a Champ P/U also that was in about a thousand pieces and I had bought the M series from "Big Daddy" Don Gartlis,the drag racer. He had bought the truck to restore his original M series that he use to haul the "Swamp Rat" with and decided that it was too nice to use for parts. I walked around a bit and then I saw it. It was restored to impeccable standards and it's silver paint "knocked me out." It was the most beautiful pickup I had ever seen and was owned by a Mr. Ernst I believe his name was. All I could think of was Hank Williams Sr., don't ask me why, that was just the visual! Fast forward 30 years and I finally have mine. This coupe was rotting away in Minnesota and a retired "Gunney" Sargent from Jacksonville North Carolina rescued it and started a 10 year build to what you can see. Now, before all you purists start ripping us apart for de-facing the "Holy Grail," try to remember that this was just a shell and frame. The PO did a fantastic job making this little jewel road worthy again. He spent months replacing all the rusted sheet metal in the floors, A-pillars, fenders. Installed a fuel injected LT1, 4 speed electronic overdrive, power windows, vintage air, tilt, fatman frontend, power rack and pinion and painless wiring. The cab, cowl and hood have all been painted this creme color (That's gonna change,) I haven't decided what color yet--- Black, Ferrari Red, I've got time to think about it.
I have tried to buy several other members 37's through the years but we all know that when these come up for sale they are usually scooped up pretty quickly and are expensive. I made the deal a couple of months ago and finally flew from Reno Nevada to Jacksonville North Carolina and loaded up all the parts and drove it 300 miles home to Mooresville North Carolina with the biggest smile on my face ever. I can't say enough about the impressive work that Jimmy Clarke did to this truck, he loved this truck and was glad I was the one getting it.
Even though it won't be stock and restored to original, I guarantee it will be one of the nicest Coupe Express's around. I intend on driving it and explaining to people about the fantastic Studebaker cars and Trucks and who knows, maybe in thirty years someone else might be writing the same about mine.
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