'57 Transtar 3E12... 3/4 ton with Automatic

[mbstude]

A few days ago I was offered a 3/4 ton Transtar that wasn't too far away. And that was 100% of the information I had to go on.

I hooked up the trailer and went for it, without knowing just what I was buying until I got there. Worst case scenario, I would be dragging home an overpriced parts donor.

It turned out to be something weird and worthwhile. The options, and lack thereof, have me scratching my head. C2 base model trim, no heater, vacuum wipers, no arm rests, one taillight, no passenger side sun visor. Yet it does have a factory rear bumper and of course the automatic transmission.

The odometer shows 51K miles and it may well be actual. This truck is 100% intact and un-messed-with. It still has the spare tire carrier under the bed (that never happens). Nothing is beat up, hacked, rigged, or cobbled. Not even a rogue oil pressure gauge stuck in the dash. And the best part is that I've not found any rust holes anywhere.

Being that I strongly dislike automatic transmissions, my initial plan was to put a clutch pedal in it, either with a T98 4 speed or a T89 OD. I have the parts to go either way. But.. I've quickly realized that this one is just too strange to "undo".

I'm going to get it running and (hopefully) moving around the yard this weekend, but then it has to sit and wait until the Daytona project is finished.

This officially puts me into the "too many vehicles" category, so one or two will be sold. I just have to decide what stays and what goes.

[Dwight FitzSimons]

Cool! I like it. With softer springs I could drive that.
--Dwight

[r1lark]

Nice! Looks like a good honest original truck.

[mbstude]

I went through the distributor, plummed a gas can into the carb, and it started up and ran. The transmission works well enough to at least drive it around the yard. The brakes are (sorta) functional too.

https://youtube.com/shorts/nvrnNsLpLzM?si=YOFXWVkI-aN-xBOX

And that's it for now. I'll tuck it away until the Daytona project is finished.

[PackardV8]

Great find! Never, ever seen one with that configuration

jack vines

[Studebakercenteroforegon]

Keep the automatic transmission! The truck versions had some unique features that made them interesting. I myself am a standard transmission lover, but I had two Champ pickups - a ‘61 1/2 ton and a ‘62 3/4 ton - with factory automatics, and I enjoyed driving both of them.

[StudeRich]

Neat find, Matt.
That is very rare to have an Automatic in a Transtar, but rarer yet in a 3/4 Ton.
It must have had a engine swap if that engine is really a 224 Route Star, as they were used in '55 and '56 but as far as I know and the Parts Catalog shows, not in a '57.

The Transmission cooler is really special on C Cab Trucks, it was not at the radiator but under the cab, and of course it was a Low gear start. And if it came from a '55 or '56 with the engine, it should be a Detroit Gear, not a Flight-O-Matic.

Some kind of "Special Order" or a very early '57 with leftover '56 Parts ? OR, someone just liked those Cool '55/'56 Decals.

[mbstude]

The automatic can stay, but I'll be swapping the 4.10 ring and pinion for something a bit taller. Luckily, Dana 60 parts are very easy to find.

Aside from a cheap repaint, I think everything on the truck is exactly the way it was in 1957. The engine has a 3Exxx serial number which falls in line for a '57 259. It has the Flightomatic trans with modulator valve and external oil cooler plummed into the heater hose ports, as shown in the parts book.

The engine valve cover decals read "Power Star".

[StudeRich]

Who knew there were "Power Star" 259 Truck engines AND Decals that have never been reproduced !
An Opportunity there, for Both; Power Star 259 and Torque Star 289 Decals !

[mbstude]

Just a follow up.. I've decided to pass the truck on to a 21 year old Stude enthusiast, provided he can work out transportation to get it the 2000 miles home. Hopefully it will all come together and he'll have it on the road soon enough.

[M-Webb]

Nice. I hope that works out for you and him and we get to see him on here and the STT site too learning about his truck and Studebakers. That is a really cool truck to start with. Would be nice to see it getting worked on and put to use.

[Warren Webb]

One of my Champs, the 62 3/4 ton long bed has an automatic. It was originally built for Cal-Trans & delivered by Frank Afton Studebaker in Ingelwood, Calif. I had it out last saturday for the IDYSD, getting a couple thubs up & one guy leaned out shouting "Nice truck" it never gets old. My wife loves this truck & when I can get around to changing the steering gearbox I'll never have any concerns on her driving it. She calls it Rusteze like the character in Cars.

[StudeRich]

Wow, your Truck could be one of the Champs I delivered to Cal Trans !
I just remember that with that H.D. low gear start Flight-O-Matic and a Low geared TT Axle, I had to be quite gentle with the Go pedal to not burn rubber !

The Service Dept. had to replace all of the Tires with a lessor known Calif. made brand, so it was Off with the Ohio Firestone Tires.
If these were the trucks I remember, they also had to tether the Gas Cap on a chain to prevent loss.

[Warren Webb]

LOL Rich ! Now this makes 2 of my cars you drove "back in the day", my 66 Daytona & now "Rusteze" as my wife has named it. Still has the orange overspray under the bed but the Twin traction rear is no more,