This 1949 Studebaker 2R-5 was a part of the 2R series. Studebaker debuted its new 2R-Series truck line in mid-1948 to much fanfare. The 2R’s styling was penned by Studebaker designer Robert Bourke, who later designed the 1953 Studebaker Starliner hardtop.
The 2R was offered in a wide variety of models from the standard pickup to heavy duty 2-ton units, and included such modern features as concealed running boards and a double-wall pickup beds. The 2R line remained in production through 1953, and was Studebaker’s best selling truck series.
1949 STUDEBAKER 2R-5 STATS
ORIGIN |
ENGINE |
HORSEPOWER |
NUMBER BUILT |
| South Bend | 170 cu. in. (2.8L) L-head inline 6 | 85 | 117,500 (1949-53) |
Gift of Bill Steinmetz, Lakeville, Indiana.
DID YOU KNOW…?
2R-Series trucks were built at Studebaker’s Chippewa Avenue plant, which still stands today.
ABOUT THIS SERIES
Keep on Truckin’: The American Pickup Truck was on display at the Museum from 2017-2018. This series of articles comes for the displays from that exhibition.
