1938 Studebaker K15M38

1938 Studebaker K15M38 Cab Over

For consignment, a very carefully executed restoration that spanned over a 19 year time period. We have a 1938 cab over version of the K15M38 truck which in 1938 was ahead of its time. This concept of cab over or cab forward was especially useful in tight alleys and streets of a city where it could be easily maneuvered, (the M is for Metro). It has been completely rebuilt to exacting factory specifications both interior and exterior as well as all mechanicals. You will have a rare example that runs and drives like new. 19 years is a long time, but in the end it shows!

Exterior
A very tall shield shaped horizontal ribbed grille leads the way for this cab over truck. Black painted fenders grow out of the bottom of this grille, and splay in curvaceous outward design, housing a single headlight on top in a black casing with a secondary light out the back of the casing. A shiny simple chromed bar bumper frames the bottom of the truck. Hood, side panels, cab and the remaining steel bodywork are bathed in mustard yellow color and for the cab it has a black stripe around the belt line and some nifty art-deco designed Studebaker badges in either door sill. A black side step aids the driver in their climb to the cab and the rear bed has a rounded tall \"stall\" if you will upfront and the remainder of the bed is lower with side mustard painted steel panels and aero looking fender skirts. A low stake body rail is growing out of the top of the steel side panels and is a topper for a wood lined plank bed. In the \"stall\" front there is also an oak lining stained a wonderful mahogany color and housing milk cans strapped into the stall area. This is appropriate to the side sign on the truck which denoted Whitney Farms of Northboro, Mass, and depicts a dairy cow. The truck has several chrome accents like the badge in the door sill and a neat wisp of chrome in the fender skirts. Overall, the design with its rounded steel bed panels shows attention to the aerodynamic thought process that went into this truck. The truck has red painted 20-inch bolt on wheels with front single and rear dual tires of the 6.50-20 variety.

Interior
As I climb into the cab we pass gray shiny steel door panels all utilitarian and very nicely restored. Inside we perch on deep padded and sprung, (for the ride), low back buckets all in gray leather and in perfect condition with no dirt. A shift lever is between the seats and this panel gently moves forward and rises to cover the engine and eventually meets the dash. This panel is painted black. The dash is all steel and painted gray with the instruments in the center and show off nicely with their art deco influence symmetrical in their design, white faces and chromed bezels with some horizontal ribs for accenting. A large clean bakelite steering wheel is fronting the dash and it has a big signal box to drivers left. Down low the floors are covered with rubber and these have a thin layer of ribbed carpeting on their tops. The toe kicks and all else is painted in gray and the interior is just simple and beautiful in its presentation.

Drivetrain
This truck uses a 226ci L-headed inline 6 cylinder engine to move and haul. It has a 1-barrel carburetor and a 4-speed manual transmission on the back. The consignor states that during the rebuild new rings, bearings, and valves, were put into the mill. The transmission and differential bearing have also been replaced.

Undercarriage
The undercarriage has been completely restored with new brake linings, hoses and fuel lines. It is all rust free and very structurally sound. Noted is leaf spring suspension and drum brakes with a stock single exhaust.

Drive-Ability
It\'s always fun to take one of these babies as it gives me a different perspective in the world. The vehicle drove beautifully, shifted smoothly and has some power for the 226 cubes. The braking was solid and bias free and the padded seats take up some of the truck ride. Functionality was spot on and the outside and inside of the cab is just beautiful in its design and presentation.

Let\'s just say the 19 years was well worth it and it truly shows a passionate task that was taken very seriously. It is a real glimpse in the time machine on how business got around and I\'d say this truck definitely delivers the goods in many ways! I need to mention it has won several awards such as 2019 AACA Jr. 1st, 2109 Best of Division Studebaker National Meet, and 2020 Hershey AACA Sr. 1st. A photo album documents the restoration.

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display. This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Tur

Read More

Read Less