A nice grouping of Studebaker R-Series trucks is seen at Ed James Studebaker, at 1901 E. Anaheim Street in Long Beach. These light-duty trucks were built by Studebaker from 1948 to 1954, and have made a few appearances at CC. Still, not many.
So, for fans of these trucks, I hope this bunch will make up for their limited exposure at CC so far.
Related CC reading:
Curbside Classic: 1949 Studebaker 2R-5 – Two All-New Trucks In One (Studebaker’s First And Last)
Auto-Biography/CC Outtake: Studebaker R Series Pickup (1949-1953) – The Near Death Experience
That is an impressive array of these, including 1/2 ton, 3/4 ton and 1 ton pickups in front, from left to right.
I had many memorable rides in the Iowa countryside standing in the bed behind the cab of one of these, including very nearly getting thrown out of it; I see Rich has included that link in the post above.
I find it interesting that a Studebaker dealer had a separate facility for selling trucks. I can think of several reasons why they might have done this, but I’m curious what other folks think the reason was.
Possibly because truck buyers and car buyers were disjunct groups of people back then. Farmers and businesses bought trucks. City people bought cars.
Ed James was the country’s highest-volume Studebaker dealer in those years, so it was probably one of the few Studebaker dealers that could pull that off. I believe this lot (about a mile away from the main dealership) also served as the dealership’s used-car lot as well.
That was extremely common back then; a separate lot for trucks. Just like with used cars.
Nice staging by the dealer. It almost has a Broadway musical set-like appearance. Even ensuring the layout is symmetrical. lol
Studebaker seemed so full of promise in the late ’40s. Just a few years later they were on the ropes.
Very nice .
-Nate
I love looking at this display! Ed James must have been able to move quite a few of the heavier duty models.
Where are the extended and crew cabs???