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The history of automobiles in the United States finds many names of automobile manufacturers that, for one reason or another, are no longer a part of that industry. In the early 1900’s, when most automobiles were little more than motorized buggies, hundreds of small town machine shops were putting their skills to the test make horseless carriages. Many of those were short-lived efforts and abandoned after making just a few of these new-fangled objects.
The name “Studebaker” was already well known in the transportation industry, as they made wagons that were part of the country’s effort to settle the western frontier. In the late 1800’s the family-owned company began researching the horseless carriages that were coming onto the scene and soon the family resources were being allocated to this emerging market.
The company managed to survive The Great Depression and into the sixth decade of the 20th century before exiting the automotive industry at the end of the 1966 model year. Now, the name is just another of the many who no longer make new cars and trucks.
Following WWII, there were a few coachbuilders who built station wagon styled vehicles on Studebaker M5 truck chassis. These could accurately be considered as the forerunner of the SUV’s we know today. These were very rare vehicles at the time and are virtually extinct today.
While it is impossible to track these vehicles through factory records, it is believed that one of those M5-chassied vehicles was shipped to the Netherlands, where it was finished and used to ferry passengers from the train station to a mountain ski resort. This 1948 Studebaker woody wagon is believed to be that vehicle.
Purchased by the present owner in 2004, the vehicle was restored just prior to his acquisition and despite the passage of 20-plus years it still presents very nicely today. The wood trim both inside the vehicle and on the outside are in excellent condition. The vibrant red paint shines nicely and the brown vinyl interior features three-row seating just like today’s large SUVs.
Power comes from the standard Studebaker M5 drivetrain, with an inline 6-cylinder engine utilizing a floor-shifted manual transmission to transmit power to the rear differential. Wood accents abound on the interior including the vehicle’s headliner, a testament to the quality of craftsmen involved with the build.
Evergreen Digital Showroom offers this exceptionally rare, one-of-a-kind 1958 Studebaker woody wagon for sale at a price of $94,900 USD. Pre-purchase inspection is both welcomed and advised. We will gladly arrange transportation for this vehicle at buyer’s expense or will work with the shipping company of buyer’s choice to facilitate the transaction. For additional information on this vehicle or to make an offer call sales manager Steve Russell at 417-532-8000.