64 Transtar Wrecker?

[Jim B PEI]

I don't understand this one, I always thought this would have been built long before the last week of production or so. Is there some unusual situation that explains it, similar to the EX Avantis or other previously non-sold stuff at the factory? http://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/...ed/180150.html

[Mark57]

Jim - I do not quite understand your surprise... something had to be built during the last week of production - why not a Transtar 1 ton to which a wrecker body was later installed?

[Jim B PEI]

I guess I misunderstood somewhere along the line that the Transtars were finished production sometime late in the 62 model year. I guess that incorrect "fact" was meant to be 'end of 63 calendar year' I don't have any truck books so couldn't look it up. I just have never seen that truck body being produced that late (ie 64 model year) I had always taken the last trucks to be built were perhaps diesels and Champs. The only Studebaker trucks I ever see are M, 2R and Champ. Learn something new every day!

[candbstudebakers]

Every body needs a tow truck, go for it and you are in business.

[8E45E]

I guess I misunderstood somewhere along the line that the Transtars were finished production sometime late in the 62 model year. I guess that incorrect "fact" was meant to be 'end of 63 calendar year' I don't have any truck books so couldn't look it up. I just have never seen that truck body being produced that late (ie 64 model year) I had always taken the last trucks to be built were perhaps diesels and Champs. The only Studebaker trucks I ever see are M, 2R and Champ. Learn something new every day!

Here's another one that is a late-prodction truck: http://forum.studebakerdriversclub.c...ighlight=olsen

(**Update! The Toter refered to in my post #4 & #29 in that thread is now owned by James & Stephanie Bell.)

Craig

[Skip Lackie]

The last Studebaker truck was built on December 27, 1963 -- an 8E28AX Mobile Home Transporter. This was about a week after passenger car production ended. Zip Van production continued into 1964 until the Post Office Department contract was fulfilled. Army truck production continued until the Kaiser Jeep Corporation purchased Studebaker's entire defense products unit, including the Chippewa Avenue truck plant and Studebaker's remaining military truck contracts with the US Army.

BTW, that black and white 8E wrecker came from a Stude dealership in NJ, and has been for sale at the Goldenrod Garage for a number of years.

[Bellingham Studenut]

Last Studebaker Truck

The last Studebaker truck was built on December 27, 1963 -- an 8E28AX Mobile Home Transporter. This was about a week after passenger car production ended. Zip Van production continued into 1964 until the Post Office Department contract was fulfilled. Army truck production continued until the Kaiser Jeep Corporation purchased Studebaker's entire defense products unit, including the Chippewa Avenue truck plant and Studebaker's remaining military truck contracts with the US Army.

BTW, that black and white 8E wrecker came from a Stude dealership in NJ, and has been for sale at the Goldenrod Garage for a number of years.

Skip,

Do you know what the Serial # is for the Last Studebaker Truck built?
Would like to find out if it still exists.

Thanks,

James

[Bob Andrews]

I guessed what truck it would be before I looked. As Skip said he's been trying to sell that for at least two years, maybe longer. He's now come down a grand.

[Skip Lackie]

Skip,

Do you know what the Serial # is for the Last Studebaker Truck built?
Would like to find out if it still exists.

Thanks,

James

That datum came from the Fred Fox article on 8E trucks in the June 2002 TW, which lists the last serial number as E28-9150. It includes pictures of some of the trucks built on that last day, including E28-9145, the fifth from last built.