1 of 9: 1959 Studebaker Scotsman 4X4
Between 1957 and 1959, the Scotsman name applied to either a passenger automobile or a pickup truck, but only in 1958 was the name used on both. For the latter two years, the Scotsman was a pickup, the predecessor to the Lark-based Champ that would follow. This 1959 edition is rare in that it’s only one of nine ordered with a NAPCO 4X4 package and is one of just four originally ordered without a bed (per the seller). Located in Locust Grove, Oklahoma, this old truck is said to be a good runner but will need some help when it comes to stopping. The vintage pickup is available here on eBay where the current bid of $12,100 has not cracked the seller’s reserve.
The Scotsman’s name was a nod to the supposed reputation of the Scottish people for being frugal, so these vehicles were just that and didn’t even come with armrests. If you wanted a low-priced truck, you could get a stripped-down Scotsman back in the day for about $1,500. The Scotsman’s run would be relatively short and finding one today, especially with the rare NAPCO 4X4 bolt-on, is practically unheard of.
This ½ ton pickup had its bed added later and the tailgate has since been replaced, borrowed from another vehicle, and modified to fit. The seller has done some work to get the transport going again, such as new tires, a starter, a battery, and the clutch. He/she hasn’t gotten around to the brakes, and they need attention next. With a 245 cubic inch inline-6, we’re told the powertrain is numbers-matching, another plus. The listing indicates there was only one previous owner for this truck in its 65 years.
The body appears mostly solid, and it may have been painted red before the current gold/yellow. But that assumption is solely based on the red found in the bed, which as we said before, was added after the fact. A little rust can be found here and there but isn’t likely anything to lose sleep over. The truck will come with a ton of spare parts, which the seller has amassed a list of. Though the odometer reads 41,000 miles, it was disconnected years ago, and the actual mileage is but a guess. All-in-all, this looks like a cool, old, vintage pickup!
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Comments
This is an “Armstrong” everything pickup. I love it.
That seems to be a thing with Studebakers – buyers woud apparently spring for a headrest or seatbelts, but not power steering. I have three, and oddly enough, the 54 has power steering, but the 61 doesn’t. Still pretty interesting vehicles, and this would be a great addition, but it looks like the seller thinks it is worth a ton, because of the 1 of 9 I would suppose. It’s cool, but I’m good on projects at the moment!
One of the biggest changes in everyday life, is how we view each other. Ethnic slurs were big, Hollywood made a fortune, and my old man topped them all. Names given to vehicles, is considered an insult today, where as back then, I thought it was more of an honor. Jeep Cherokee the latest under fire. I too come from a background that is considered frugal. Not an insult, really, but not a praise either.
The truck itself is an awesome find. 4×4 Studebakers were actually very popular with farmers in the midwest, many of whom slogged through the war with one. Easily tied with IH for folks that didn’t want a Ford or Chevy. Dodge became the farmers choice later only when IH and Studebaker were gone. For those that have no experience with a vehicle like this, thinking how difficult could it be to drive? This will test even the most experienced driver, it’s a handful, and anything over 30 mph is not advised. It was designed to pull hay wagons through the slop, I-70, not so much. If this is a consideration as a daily driver, scrap everything below the equator, and plop the body on a modern chassis. Done.
This looks like everything a real man needs!
I think I’ll make a stab at buying. I have another NAPCO but there probably isn’t another that’s as rare as this one!
This thing is great. I love it. It’s probably more fun to look at than to drive, though. One step closer to on road use over a tractor.
Bet the sheet metal is 1/4″ thick!
I like!
I particularly love the vice grip on the starter. I’m sure it was original to the truck, not added later. I wonder if the price point reflects that hardware as well as that impressive jack mounted on the bumper.
Our milkman in N.J. had a 2 wheel drive like this in the 50’s.
Oh,when raw milk in a glass bottle with a cardboard lid was legal.
I’m leery as to why the odometer was disconnected. Nevertheless, I’m intrigued by this truck; you don’t see too many Studebaker trucks, period. And a 4WD Studebaker truck in the low teens sounds like a poor man’s holy grail; just get the brakes dialed in, refresh the engine and interior, and you’ll have a survivor that will be a hit at Studebaker shows.
I wouldn’t worry too much about the odometer.
In my yute, I headed to town with a brand new driver’s license Saturday night in the old man’s ’60 Chev.
The next morning there was 267 extra miles on the odometer that he was asking questions about as it’s only 3 miles to town.
By the next weekend, that dang odometer was broke.
Poor workmanship, I’d say. Ha!
What’s up with the tail gate? Is that supposed to have a vertical seam right about where the E is?
It says in the description that it was created from a larger truck tailgate