1947 Coupe Express Purchase Consideration

[Bryan Moran]

Hello all-

I am considering the purchase of a 1947 Coupe Express project. This truck is a project which needs complete restoration, is in fact complete. My hesitation is not so much in the unique parts, but in the mechanical restoration parts.

Are there components available to restore the engine, transmission, suspension and similar components?

Is there a SDC guru on the post war Coupe Express or similar post war trucks that can assist? I am not a SDC member, as I do not own any older vehicles any more. My history with SDC comes from forum content from 12 years ago or so, when I was looking at a 55 Speedster project.

I am 60 years old, have been out of the old car ‘restoration’ hobby for at least 14 years and I am an ASE Certified Master Technician. I am capable of most dis-assembly and assembly processed involved in restoration and enjoy it. I have restored over 25 vehicles in 50 years and owned 240 vehicles total. (Not an expert)

In fact, I “may” turn this project over to a restoration shop with a great reputation. May, depends on actually seeing the Coupe Express. I know, as we all know, that the restoration hobby is essentially dead. I have heard “Buy the Best One you can Afford” more times then I ever wanted to hear.

The bottom line to my thread is: Can I get new, used or reconditioned parts to restore the mechanical components of this Coupe Express”?

And yes, 100% I would join the SDC because I own a vehicle within the group, although I in no uncertain terms compare myself to the lifers who have multiple Studebaker vehicle collections. You guys are rock stars.

[BRUCESTUDE]

There’s a good supply of mechanical parts, and a lot of good Studebaker vendors. Body and trim parts are out there, but may require a search.
The SDC site has a vendor list; maybe look at several of their websites and see what is available for the M series trucks. Studebaker International, Studebaker parts.com., and Stephen Allen’s are a few to check out.

[rockne10]

The M-series trucks, being a holdover design from 1941 are all also considered part of pre-war production, as far as the Antique Studebaker Club is concerned.
Most mechanical parts are pretty readily available from our vendors. www.studebakervendors.com

[6hk71400]

Bryan,

I take it you have not found truck you want. I don't know Iowa but how far is Dubuque Iowa from Madrid Iowa? Our international meet is going to be held in Dubuque this year June 25 to the 29th. Information to register is on the home page of this website.

This would be a good way to access and gain contacts to find the right truck for you. Many bring parts including vendors and there may be a truck that someone brings to the meet for sale.

[mbstude]

For the sake of avoiding confusion, the "Coupe Express" name is used almost exclusively to refer to the '37-39 Stude 1/2 ton pickups.

The '41-48 1/2 ton pickup is more commonly known as the M5.

The restoration hobby is far from dead. The reason why you'll see the advice, "Buy the best car you can afford" is because that's what makes the most financial sense (not that this hobby makes any financial sense).

Restoring any vintage car is an expensive endeavor. Spend more upfront to buy the best vehicle you can, and you'll save money in the long run. (Shipping a solid car across the country puts you far ahead of buying a cheap local rust bucket, for example.)

As with any 70+ year old car, there are some parts that are scarce. But generally speaking, most of the parts needed to keep an M5 in running condition are readily available.

There are a number of specialized Studebaker-only parts suppliers. The link that Brad (Rockne) shared above will get you started.

Be sure to share your progress with us if you decide to jump into the project.

[Skip Lackie]

Brian-
In his post above, mbstude knows of what he speaks. Lots of wisdom there.

He is also correct that in the Studebaker world, the term Coupe Express is usually only applied to the 1937-39 half-ton trucks of that name. But for the historical record, Studebaker initially applied that same model name in advertising and service literature to their 1940-41 M-series pickups. Note the title on the attached 1941 M15 spec sheet. The Coupe Express name did not appear on the trucks themselves, and its use was not used on the post-War M-series pickups.

[Skip Lackie]

Since I can't edit my post, I will correct it here to note that the above photo shows an M15A (which means it's post-War), and the spec sheet is dated 1946, which means that the company DID apply the name Coupe Espress (perhaps ever so briefly) to its post-War M-series pickups.

[Bryan Moran]

Thank you everyone for the input on parts. My referencing the M5 as a Coupe Express comes from post war print ads by Studebaker which refer to this model in print as a Coupe Express. I don't care if we call it the M5. The November/December 2023 issue of Vintage Trucks refers to it as a Coupe Express on the cover. Next step is to go see the truck.

[garyash]

The mechanical parts for M5 trucks are relatively easy to find, it's the rust-free sheet metal parts that are more difficult.

See my web pages on my restoration of my 1948 M5 truck. https://studegarage.com/studegarage_home.htm

[Hallabutt]

The mechanical parts for M5 trucks are relatively easy to find, it's the rust-free sheet metal parts that are more difficult.

See my web pages on my restoration of my 1948 M5 truck. https://studegarage.com/studegarage_home.htm

As Horace Greely is quoted as saying "Go west young man." Of course he was talking about opportunities for the working man, but 170yrs later the opportunity to find a solid M5 still exists out west. I hope what you find that rare solid farm truck that seldom left the property, but don't give up if the truck isn't what you are looking for. Take note of what Matt said and try to get the best one that you can find. You will be time and money ahead and maybe save a good truck that might just sit otherwise.

[Bryan Moran]

Thanks all. I appreciate the slogan 'get the best one you can find.' But, at age 60, still working, still trying to save for retirement, which for me comes at age 68-70, I simply do not have $15,000 to $25,000 for any old car. Nor do I necessarily need a car now - see the still working part.

I have a 2007 Mazda Miata, a 58,000 top of the line summer convertible purchased for $11,000 that I use to scratch that itch. And, I took out a loan to buy it. I just borrowed from my 401k (which as some of you know, is not really a loan) to buy an old car project to do as a big brother big sister project with an 18 year old. It's a muscle car, and if I said I was buying a 1947 M5 Studebaker, he would just continue gaming I suppose.

But, I did not use up all of my seed money and that is where this 1947 M5 - or something similar - comes in. I may or may not handle the restoration but if parts are unobtanium then it's a non starter.

I no longer reside in Madrid, but I am close - Johnston, Iowa. What I do have is cash flow, as long as my employer keeps me around. For that I can restore the truck, get it done in 3-5 years and enjoy it as a hobby for maybe 10 years. Time waits for no one, and I know I am up against it. This would suck if I did not enjoy the art of restoration, but I do. And, I am not one of those "over restoring" types.

Thanks for all the input. I have just run down to Missouri on back to back weekends so I need a breather. The truck is north of Omaha, Nebraska. I must see it in person, I won't buy sight unseen - see above - 2 back to back trips to Missouri. As for other M5's, I have only seen one really rough one for sale up in Minnesota and a local one that is just parts.