1953 Studebaker 2R custom PickupVIN: 1R144514--Ford 351-CID V8 engine--Ford C6 automatic transmission--Modified interior with newer Ford seats and center console--Iequus volt, oil pressure, fuel, odometer, water temperature gauges--Budweiser shift knob--All new wiring--Beautiful two-tone paint jobA collectable truck has been made more modern with MotoeXotica's latest addition: a custom 1953 Studebaker 2R Pickup.After World War II, America needed more pickup trucks for peacetime. Studebaker answered with its streamlined 2R series. The sleek design made the truck look modern for the time. The 2R series debuted in 1949 and ran until '53. During that phase, Studebaker sold about 170,000 pickups.On the original Studebaker 2R, the inline six-cylinder flathead "Econ-O-Miser" engine was standard. The transmission was a three-speed manual column shifter. The interiors were vinyl bench seats with metal door panels and metal dashboards. The exterior factor colors ranged from Clover Green to Chrome Yellow to Manchester Maroon and Yukon Gray. MotoeXotica Classic Cars is pleased to have this 1953 Studebaker pickup in stock. While simply having this truck in our showroom would be remarkable, MotoeXotica has an even more unique truck. An interior redesign, exterior two-tone paint job and new powerful Ford 351-CID V8 engine have helped transform this utilitarian vehicle.This Studebaker 2R truck has a Ford 351-CID V8 engine mated with a Ford C6 automatic transmission. This new engine replaces the underwhelming economizer engines which came standard on Studebaker trucks. The V8 gives the truck the needed power to keep up with current highway speeds. The steering wheel is the original, leaving a piece of history from the factory behind. However, the shift knob in the steering column has been replaced with a Budweiser beer tap. This helps add more personality and flare to the vehicle as you grip to shift the Ford C6 automatic transmission. The wipers are inoperable. The gauges are all after-mark Ieqqus, function and include: water temperature, oil pressure, fuel, volt and odometer.The interiors are usually vinyl bench seats in Studebaker trucks, but this custom has a totally upgraded interior. The metal door panels and dashboard remain, but the seats have been completely replaced. Now there are two Ford sedan bucket seats with a center console and cup holders to give a more modern sense of comfort in an older truck.The exterior is completely repainted. The body is a deep maroon, and the hood is a shiny silver. The orange pinstriping around the hood accents the fresh, modern paint job. The exterior shows no major points of imperfection. MotoeXotica's modernized '53 Studebaker 2R gives comfort to a hard-working vehicle. VIN is 1R144514 and sold on a clean Illinois title. GET OUT AND DRIVE!