1936 Studebaker COE

[hmmca]

Not mine but it is pretty cool, http://www.ebay.com/itm/152366645236?rmvSB=true


Let me know what you think about the price.

Greg

[BobPalma]

The link worked fine; thanks.

That is an incredibly cool truck; I don't see how you could hope to find a nicer unrestored example.

Get it running, put some good tires on it, and enjoy it! BP

[r1lark]

Two comments on the ad: no pictures or description of the engine & transmission (is it there, condition, etc) except for the reference to 6 cylinders. Other comment is that the seller notes he has two, and one must go -- usually the better one would be kept, so considering how solid and complete and decent this one is, the other one must be really something.

This sure is an impressive truck, considering some of the other COE Studebakers I've seen prior to restoration. And don't the pictures look great taken with the background of those old buildings.

[jclary]

Get it running, put some good tires on it, and enjoy it! BP

Enjoy it as, at best, an occasional back road ride, or "trailer queen" at club events or cruise-in display.

Two comments on the ad: no pictures or description of the engine & transmission (is it there, condition, etc) except for the reference to 6 cylinders. Other comment is that the seller notes he has two, and one must go -- usually the better one would be kept, so considering how solid and complete and decent this one is, the other one must be really something.

This sure is an impressive truck, considering some of the other COE Studebakers I've seen prior to restoration. And don't the pictures look great taken with the background of those old buildings.

Exactly what I was thinking. Post card or Calendar quality pic.

I have several of those COE die cast produced by M2 (I think). They are represented as customs of the truck made into a car hauler. They usually have various other brand vintage cars on the hauler bed. My take on such vintage commercial vehicles is that I like them either way. Either...Restored to museum quality, preserved as they were used/banged around, or upgraded to contemporary performance capability.

How much fun would it be to fit a turbo Caterpillar diesel, modern brakes, etc. while retaining much of the 1930's nostalgic appearance? Build a "C" class motor home on the chassis, or install a fifth wheel to pull the trailer(s) of your choosing, or make a hauler like the die-cast models.

Fact is, that the audience with the financial resources to acquire, restore, maintain, and house such a vehicle is very small. Having it listed on eBay is the best place to expose it to such a small group of potential buyers. A starting bid of $6000, and a high reserve is a smart way to "qualify/expose" the potential value and expose the potential customer base. (As I type this, there have been six bidders who have bid it up to $13,200 and not met the reserve.)

I wonder how much the seller's lack of effort and creative writing will impact the final bid? A little more excitement, encouragement, & enthusiasm in the presentation to ignite the imagination to potential buyers might go a long way.

As for me, I'm just another "dreamer," viewing this solely as an exercise of my "daydreamer" capabilities...just another little walk down the path of "what if"...wasting a few moments of life, to tickle my imagination.

[spokejr]

I'm really divided in what would be my ideal for this truck. Not that it makes too much difference, I have neither the time nor resources to make anything happen.

On the one hand, gently clean and resurrect is a big attraction, I'm sure many would enjoy seeing it at shows as a preservation effort.

The full restoration is attractive too but it needs a flat bed, vintage towing equipment or (best yet) a reproduction box that replicates the Labatt's trucks of that era. You know, all Art Deco aerodynamic.

The last option would be a resto mod. I would try to keep the mods un-noticable so to even the discerning eye, the rig looks stock but put a Cummings Diesel in it, modern brakes and (once again) build a Art Deco box finished out as a motor home.

Now, where did I toss that slip of paper from the fortune cookie? You know, the same one with those lottery numbers that are just sure to win!

Better I be grateful for the riches I have already...a belated Merry Christmas and a successful New Year to all!

Ken Buchanan

[r1lark]

I wonder how much the seller's lack of effort and creative writing will impact the final bid?

I would think there would be some effect, but he did include his phone number so obtaining additional information should be do-able. Also, the bids are going pretty well so far. To me, more impact may be his choice of when to run the auction.......Christmas holidays may not be the best time for an auction with people so focused on the holidays. Would be interesting for some experienced eBayers to comment on whether this is a good time or not for an auction.

[Andy R.]

Ken, you mean like this?


The Labatt's design applies most of the "aero effect" to the rear of the cab. The flat back of the Stude COE cab would be very suitable to a luxe streamlined motorhome/camper, as you suggest. I like the stealth Cummins resto-mod idea...touring at original '36 COE speeds would get old real quick.

[spokejr]

Andy, you betcha!

Naturally (as you mentioned) the front of the box would be upright to nestle in on the back of the cab. If the roof line were allowed to sweep up and then taper downward while the sides sweep inward, giving the tail a rounded shape...dammit, now y'all got my imagination cookin' on the front burner when I really need to be gittin' stuff done on my holiday.

Shame on you...

[garyash]

That truck seems to be located at Auto Loft, 20 Durfee St. in Fall River, MA - about 9 miles from me. I've never heard about any Ace trucks near me, so it must have been parked a long time. The guy who owned that business died in a tragic accident a few years ago when a truck he was working on rolled over him. He was a classic car collector, only 47 years old. Sometimes the stuff you learn when Googling isn't what is expected. The family is well known in the area, so it must be someone in the family selling the truck.

The old brick building in the background of one of the photos is the Bank St. Armory, now closed and condemned.

[TWChamp]

Thanks Gary for that information. That sure is one cool truck. I'd love to own it and use it as a car hauler, but I don't have any place to store it nor the money to restore it.
I read about changing the brakes, but I'd bet that truck will stop on a dime the way it was built. My 1949 Chevy 1 1/2 ton truck has very large brakes and can lock them up. Also when will that truck be carrying 4 tons or more?

I too was puzzled by the lack of interior and engine pictures, but the bids are doing quite well as is.

[5brown1]

Ken Voigt, Armour, SD has one of the 1-1/2 ton 1936 Ace trucks for sale. He has overhauled the engine and the brakes, etc. Mechanically pretty much done. It is a rust free Montana truck which is 99% complete and he needs to sell because of health issues. It is listed in the Antique Studebaker Review. PM me for his contact information if interested.

SORRY! I just talked to Ken and found out I was wrong. His is a standard truck. My apologies.

[mbstude]

That truck seems to be located at Auto Loft, 20 Durfee St. in Fall River, MA - about 9 miles from me.

I know you have your hands full with projects as it is, but that truck sure would make a cool Indy racer hauler...

[rockne10]

... that truck sure would make a cool Indy racer hauler...

But would probably require at least a 6.7L Cummins driveline transplant to be viable.

[Studebaker Wheel]

One factor that no one has mentioned or seems to be aware. These COE trucks had bodies with a wood framework like pre 1932 cars. The wood is almost always bad and very difficult and expensive to replace. I purchased a nice 1936 one owner at auction back in 1981 for under $800 (photo below). I sold it shortly afterward and it was eventually restored by a fellow (truck specialist) in Iowa. Upon completion he stated that he would NEVER restore another Studebaker cab over!

[TWChamp]

I've always liked the look of COE trucks, but here is a link to an ugly one, and an odd one with twin axle 4 wheel steering. See reply 3 for the top heavy rather ugly one, and reply 10 for the odd one.

http://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=211371