1947 Studebaker M-5 Coupe Express

The 1947 Studebaker M-5 Coupe Express held its own against rivals from Ford, Chevrolet, and Dodge. Unlike the car-pickup hybrids of 1937-1939, the 1947 M-5 Coupe Express (without a hyphen) was derived from a lineage of authentic trucks.

In 1941, Studebaker made a strong comeback into the truck industry after a brief hiatus. They launched the M5 series, a versatile range of trucks from 1/2- to 1 1/2-ton capacities. With wheelbases ranging from 113 to 195 inches, these models catered to 90 percent of the truck market.

Classic Truck Image Gallery

The revival of the truck line was funded by the profits from the Studebaker Champion car, which had saved the company starting in 1939.

The half-ton M-5 pickup was named the Coupe Express. Unlike the car-derived Coupe-Express models of 1937-1939, it was a true truck. However, through ingenious design, the Studebaker M-5 Coupe Express shared numerous parts with Studebaker's passenger cars, significantly cutting down on manufacturing expenses.

Under the hood was the Champion's 170-cubic-inch L-head six-cylinder engine, delivering 80 horsepower. The dashboard, certain body panels, headlamp rims, and the steering wheel were borrowed from the Champion. The hubcaps were taken from the Commander.

The base model of the Studebaker M-5 Coupe Express pickup was fairly basic, typical of trucks at the time. However, for an additional $25, the DeLuxe Equipment Group offered chrome accents on the grille and hood, a chrome driver's mirror, a hood ornament, body-colored fenders instead of black, and an interior light.

Additional options included bumper guards, a grille guard, a chrome rear bumper, a spotlight, fog lamps, a radio, and even whitewall tires.

Civilian truck manufacturing paused during the war but resumed vigorously by 1947. That year, the 1947 Studebaker M-5 Coupe Express saw over 23,000 units produced, with total M-series production exceeding 52,000.

Priced at $1,082, the 1947 Studebaker M-5 Coupe Express featured only slight modifications from its prewar counterparts. A spare tire became standard, and the options list grew slightly. By mid-1947, a hood ornament was included at no extra cost, whereas it previously added $4.75 to the price.

The Studebaker M-5 Coupe Express remained largely unchanged in 1948, as it was set to be replaced by a new postwar design later that March.

Collectible Pluses of the 1947 Studebaker M-5 Coupe-Express

Collectible Minuses of the 1947 Studebaker M-5 Coupe-Express

For more great articles and pictures on new and classic trucks, see: