1947 STUDEBAKER VINTAGE TOW TRUCK WRECKER: HOT RAT ROD KUSTOM COE DRAG STYLE

Description for Studebaker M-16 1947

1947 Studebaker M-16 Wrecker Tow Truck
This is a really cool looking old truck. One of a kind. It was previously a tow truck for "bills auto wrecking", out of Sumner Washington. The lettering is still on the drivers door. It also says "we buy old cars". It has the coolest look and patina of any old rig I've ever had. I planned on keeping it and cruising it as-is, but I want to buy a bobcat and new camper and have too many irons in the fire. This is about as close to a barn find Mater that your going to find. I know mater was not a studebaker, but when kids see this that is immediately what they say. This truck I think is exceptionally rare. I've been into old rigs for years and never seen another. This era of studebaker truck or pickup is somewhat rare to see at all, especially an old tow truck survivor. Maybe there are more out there, but this is the only one I've seen like it. The body is very solid with very minimal rust. I had planned on getting it running or possibly putting a diesel drivetrain in it. I wasn't sure, but the motor does turn over and I was told it was running when parked. It would be cool to hook up to one of your projects and take it to the car show. It would be cool for any auto related business, tow rig, push truck, advertising vehicle or ? Thanks, and happy bidding. I have more pics I can send also.
Note: If you have a pic or can send a pic of a similar studebaker tow truck, I would like to see it. Thanks.

MECHANICAL

The stude appears to have the original drivetrain. Manual 4-speed transmission and flathead six cylinder. The engine turns over by hand. I think the key is in it, but I haven't put a battery in it or anything to try it. The previous owner said it was running when parked but the exhaust manifold was cracked. The rear tires are NOS (new old stock) bias plies. Good shape. The pic on the trailer shows it with the rotten tires, but they have been changed. Fronts are bias ply too. They probably don't drive good but if your just going to tool around town to car shows, I'm sure they are worthy. Replacements are available in this size and I personally would try radials on the front and it will probably drive ok. This has an old style PTO HD winch. I'm sure it will work when the motor is running. I've had several and they are pretty durable and not much there to go wrong. I don't know anything about the electrical system but I'm sure it should be re-wired with a painless or similar wiring harness. It probably has the old style insulated wires, and the insulation is usually bad. The truck rolls, steers, and I believe the parking brake works. The regular brakes most likely need work. Transmission holds it in gear well.

BODY

The body on the truck is original, and really pretty straight with very little rust. It's surprisingly dry, but it came from eastern Washington, which is a dry area. The floorpan has minor rust in the foot area. The wrecker bed has some rust in the flat floor metal. This is an easy repair. No bondo. Solid, thick old metal truck. You could use it as it, but the rust would be pretty basic to repair. I personally think it would be blasphemy to paint it, but to each his own. Doors open and close properly. I believe some of the windows are cracked but I can double check that. It's all flat glass, so easy to replace. I am getting another front clip and cab and any parts that are needed for this truck, I will include. I don't know if any are needed, but spares are good. No Frame rust. No roof or jam rust. No fender rust. The patina makes it appear rough, but it's not, just crusty.

INTERIOR

There is not much to cover here really. The seats are some buckets from a sixties era car. The dash isn't cut up. The doors shut. No carpet or floormat. No headliner and I'm not sure that it ever had one. It looks

OVERALL

I personally like to see unique things at car shows. I like all the rods and musclecars, but I've never seen an old tow truck at a car show and I've been to many shows. You can look at this truck and know there is a lot of history there and it's a survivor. Thanks for your interest and happy bidding. If your interested in doing something early on it, let me know.

Used, and sold as-is.