From the Archives #56 (Zip Vans)

[Studebaker Wheel]

Richard Quinn
Editor emeritus: Antique Studebaker Review

[Bill Pressler]

Great photo Richard, thank you (as always) for posting.

This is clearly right next to the Administration Building in South Bend. I always wondered if final assembly was done in South Bend for Zip-Vans, or if the bodies were installed on chassis at Met-Pro in Lansdale, PA. I know Met-Pro made the bodies. Does anyone know for certain? This photo certainly seems to confirm that the finished product was shipped from South Bend...or are these arriving from Lansdale?!

Thanks!

Bill Pressler
Kent, OH
'63 Lark Daytona Skytop R1 (sold new by Cordell Motors, Moorhead, MN)
'64 Daytona Hardtop (sold new by Carl E. Filer Co., Greenville, PA)

[Collection Doctor]

Interesting that....

• They already had the government unit number on the front
• License plates were attached
• Hub caps were installed
• The Mr. Zip ad was installed on the side

Also note the tie down beams in the middle of the rail car.

[Studebaker Wheel]

Final assembly was done at the PA facility. For more details see the George Hamlin article in Turning Wheels for July 1996.

Richard Quinn
Editor emeritus: Antique Studebaker Review

[Bill Pressler]

quote:Originally posted by Studebaker Wheel

Final assembly was done at the PA facility. For more details see the George Hamlin article in Turning Wheels for July 1996.

Richard Quinn
Editor emeritus: Antique Studebaker Review

Thanks Richard. Some folks say that Zip-Vans were the final Studebaker products built in South Bend, but that's not exactly accurate (but what is in the world of Studebakers?!).

Bill Pressler
Kent, OH
'63 Lark Daytona Skytop R1 (sold new by Cordell Motors, Moorhead, MN)
'64 Daytona Hardtop (sold new by Carl E. Filer Co., Greenville, PA)

[Avantidon]

Zoom Zoom ZIP ZIP, wonder where the USPS would be today if they still had these wonderful economic vehicles? [}][}][8D]

great picture Richard. Thanks!!

[Milaca]

I wonder if Studebaker was tempted to put Lark grills on these? It's a similar shape, but I suppose the goverment would'nt allow such creativity. I think a 1963 Lark grill & grill shell would really dress these up.
If you look closely at the windshield, you can see the wiper pattern. Looks like the wipers only squeegeed 1/2 of the windshield.


Wild Red Hawks admiring their reflections.
In the middle of Minnestudea

[comatus]

I have seen another line of vans (built, it hink by White Motor in Montpelier, Ohio) with a Lark-like grille. This grille shape, Keystone-like, was a sort of trademark of the body builder. Pennsylvania pride.

I was around to see many of these finish their careers. What was economical about them was that they did a job which previously required at least a 3/4 ton frame, usually a panel truck. Their maintenance was not particularly economical. Both the sliding door and "overhead" rear door, although a good idea, were problem areas with hard use. The average mileage was horrible, because so much delivery time is idling or low-speed stops and starts. Not a Studebaker flaw; this is true of all delivery vehicles, but it has gotten better with FI engines.

[53hardtop]

quote:Originally posted by Milaca

If you look closely at the windshield, you can see the wiper pattern. Looks like the wipers only squeegeed 1/2 of the windshield.

That explains why I have always thought that a ZIP with a 12 inch chop would look so cool. Wasn't there a thread a while back where someone photoshopped one?

[Invalid User Name]

I know very little about Zip vans -

What did they have for an engine?

What was the top cruising speed?

Were they all right hand drive?

I still think that it would make an awsome fishing / camping machine. You would have a ton of room compared to those little import hatch backs you see today.

Doug
Venice, Florida
1950 Champion
9G F1

[bams50]

quote:Originally posted by Invalid User Name

I know very little about Zip vans -

What did they have for an engine?

What was the top cruising speed?

Were they all right hand drive?

Engine was the 170 OHV 6, auto trans.

All right hand drive

Top cruising speed? Very low I'm sure[:I]

If I ever get my hands on one I will actually deliver my route with it, at least part time. It would be awesome publicity for Studebaker[8D]



Robert (Bob) Andrews- on the IoMT (Island of Misfit Toys)
Parish, central NY 13131

GOD BLESS AMERICA

[BobGlasscock]

And how come none of you eagle-eye guys noticed the Army truck behind the railcar? huh?

If I could find 5 or 6 of those Zip vans, I would make a company fleet of them.

'50 Champion, 1 family owner

[Bill Pressler]

I absolutely, positively remember Zip-Vans in use at the Greenville Post Office, where my Dad worked. I thought maybe the local Stude dealer (below) did service on them, but my friend, the owner, said they did not.

Bill Pressler
Kent, OH
'63 Lark Daytona Skytop R1 (sold new by Cordell Motors, Moorhead, MN)
'64 Daytona Hardtop (sold new by Carl E. Filer Co., Greenville, PA)

[Collection Doctor]

quote:Originally posted by BobGlasscock

And how come none of you eagle-eye guys noticed the Army truck behind the railcar? huh?

Well buzzards breath, it actually looks like two tandem trucks in the background! On my monitor it looks like they are sitting tailgate to tailgate.

[StudeMichael]

I would love to see this picture in color!