Rural Mail Studebakers

[Ricks51studie]

I have 2 Studebaker Rural Mail Right hand drive cars, a 1952 Starlight that was used at Army Base in Fort Hood Texas & a 1951 coupe that was used in the Tucson area. I am trying to find out what markings were on ether one. The military 1952 was it Green or a stock Studebaker color with military markings? The Civilian 1951 still has body color but being in Tucson ALL it life the paint has been burned off by the sun

The keys & Rural tag was buried in the front seat

[StudeRich]

Check the Body Tag or Tags on the Firewall, passenger side for some "Special" model Numbers or "Other" info Tags.

The Door on Pic #3 shows what appears to be the stock Studebaker Peacock Green, but it may be a replacement Door.

The Dash is a 1950, so it must have a 1951 Front Clip on a '50 Champion if it is the Car in Pic #2 unless they used '50 export RHD Dashes in Rural Routers in '51.

[mbstude]

The Dash is a 1950, so it must have a 1951 Front Clip on a '50 Champion if it is the Car in Pic #2 unless they used '50 export RHD Dashes in Rural Routers in '51.

Right, Rich. RHD 51s (and maybe 52s?) used 50 dash boards.

[stude dude]

Right, Rich. RHD 51s (and maybe 52s?) used 50 dash boards.

Thats correct. RHC models didn't change over to the newer dash style.

Chris.

[wlfrench]

Rural carriers today, if not supplied a mail truck by the PO, have to supply their own personal RHD cars. My wife had 2 jeeps that she used. If you look in the rural carrier magazine you will find many RHD cars for sale and ads to convert whatever car you have to RHD. If the car in question was owned by the carrier than it may not have had any markings on it other than something applied by the owner.

[Ricks51studie]

ALL 1950,1951, & 1952 Right hand Drive cars has 1950 dash, tail-lights & lic plate light assembly. both of mine have all these idems. AND both have 5 lug wheel pattern & 1 piece Windshields. The ones for export & the Rural Mail cars were equipped the same. Both of my cars came from Indiana.

[RadioRoy]

"AND both have 5 lug wheel pattern & 1 piece Windshields."


The 5 lug wheels are because your cars are 51 and 52. Additionally, all 51 and 52 cars have one piece windshields, regardless of body style. Neither of these things have anything to do with cars being rural carriers.

[Ricks51studie]

TRUE BUT the one Gentleman said it had to be a 1950 because of the dash & 1950's had a split Windshield & 4 lug THAT WAS MY POINT they are NOT made up cars.

[rockne10]

... it had to be a 1950 because of the dash ...

And, as indicated, all RHD cars through '52 used the '50 dash.
If it hasn't been messed with, your bleached out car should still have some original color under the hood. Inner fenders were body color; might also find some color on the valance or gravel deflector between the trunk and rear bumper.

[Mark L]

If you want to know the paint color as it left the factory, you can do one of two things. Order the production order/line ticket from the Studebaker National Museum. The paint code should be on the order. Also, if the cars have glove boxes, look at the lower outside surface of the box (the side that faces the floor) for a paint placard. If there is a placard there, it should have the paint code and the paint color name on it.

[stude dude]

ALL 1950,1951, & 1952 Right hand Drive cars has 1950 dash, tail-lights & lic plate light assembly. both of mine have all these idems. AND both have 5 lug wheel pattern & 1 piece Windshields. The ones for export & the Rural Mail cars were equipped the same. Both of my cars came from Indiana.

I have never seen an original RHC 1951-52 model with earlier model tail lamps or trunk handle/licence lamp assy. I suspect something may have been changed.

Chris.

[stude dude]

At least one person has gone to the trouble of converting a LHC 1951-52 dash to RHC.

This was on Australian ebay recently.

[Ricks51studie]

I have never seen an original RHC 1951-52 model with earlier model tail lamps or trunk handle/licence lamp assy. I suspect something may have been changed.

Chris.

have U seen any 51 or 52 RHD car? ever 2 cars 2 different years 1 from Tucson bought from the Grandson of original owner & the 2nd came from Texas & was bought from Son of original owner BOTH having the SAME dash,lic plat light Assembly,tail lights? According to the Studebaker Club of Australia both car are correct their cars of that vintage are the same way

[Ricks51studie]

The original Topic Question WAS does anyone know IF & WHAT signage was put on Rural Mail car in the 50's? the Army surly put something on the doors The 52 I have under the primer is painted Army green but can't tell if there is anything on the doors.

[stude dude]

have U seen any 51 or 52 RHD car? ever 2 cars 2 different years 1 from Tucson bought from the Grandson of original owner & the 2nd came from Texas & was bought from Son of original owner BOTH having the SAME dash,lic plat light Assembly,tail lights? According to the Studebaker Club of Australia both car are correct their cars of that vintage are the same way

Yes I have Rick, quite a lot actually. I live in a country where most Studebakers are RHC.......

I don't think anyone is disputing the use of a 1950 style dash on later RHC cars. And the parts book supports this entirely. But the information about the tail lamps/licence lamp is not correct. Sounds like the SCCA has misinformed you and they should know better; one of there past Presidents had a lovely national concours winning RHC 1952 Champion sedan for many years, and it had the correct 1952 tail lights!