I want to be able to tie both of my hobbies together! I want a Studebaker Zip Van!
A little background….
In 1852 Henry and Clem Studebaker opened their business in South Bend Indiana with some blacksmith tools, a forge, and $68. At first they built wagons and carriages, including the familiar 'Conestoga' wagon used by many to move West, but by 1860 they had hired 14 workmen. By 1868 they had formed a corporation and had over 190 production workers.
In 1897 the minutes of the Board of Directors meeting reveals that an engineer was assigned to look into developing a new 'horseless carriage' but it was not until the spring of 1902 that Studebaker launched its first automobile (a total of 20 were sold). This beginning lead to well over a century of vehicle manufacturing until they finally closed their doors in 1966.
The years after WW2 saw a large paradigm shift in the way vehicles were being sold in the USA and this ultimately spelled doom for independent automobile manufacturers like Studebaker. After the war the 'Big Three' changed their relationships with the dealers, dealer were no longer allowed to order the makes and models they desired. Instead the Big Three told the dealers which makes and model they were to receive and sell; if cars remained on the lot from the previous shipment that was too bad for the dealer. This applied huge financial pressure on the dealersand they followed by dropping margins and prices to move the excess inventory off the lot. This in turn meant that the independent auto dealers, who already were selling higher cost vehicles, had even more competition and slower sales.
By the late 1950s Studebaker was barely holding on and was desperately seeking any opportunities that might generate income. They had success when the economy turned south in 1959 but Studebaker happened to have an economy car, the Lark. But by 1963 this market had also played out and Studebaker was again seeking income opportunities. Although many rural mail carriers had used Studebaker vehicles for deliveries these were privately owned, Studebaker received an invitation for bids on a new postal vehicle on Feb 1, 1963. Unfortunately the bids were due by March 6; giving Studebaker engineers only about 30 days to come up with a solution. Additionally the Postal Service required a working pilot vehicle by May. A 'fast track' development would be required! Studebaker got their bid in for the amount of $6,386,066.84 for a 'Zip Van' mail truck ($1883.24 each). Studebaker offered the Postal Service a discount of $5 per Zip Van if they paid within 20 days of delivery; they delivered 3390 Zip vans by 1963.
The Postal Service had taken the lead in safety with their specifications on this new vehicle. Studebaker met or exceeded these specs and included; large, oversized windshield for better visibility, electric windshield wipers, 4-way flashers, seat belts, screen behind driver to prevent distraction from flying packages, and a beeper/buzzer on backup to warn pedestrians. The Zip van was powered by the Studebaker OHV six cylinder engine and sported right hand control. The Postal Service spec did not require a spare tire the Zip Van had none onboard.
The Postal Service like the vehicle enough to exercise the contact option for an additional 848 Zip Vans; this brought the total Studebaker Zip Vans manufacturer to 4238. The mailmen loved them; they spoke often of the easy steering, the visability, the stand/sit drivers position, and good cold weather performance.
Although you can still find a few of these around they are getting rare. Few were restored because their gearing makes them 'wind out' at highway speeds. There is a fine example in the Studebaker National Museum and some in the hands of a few of the members of the Studebaker Drivers Club.
I am keeping my eyes open and would like to own/restore one, wonder if I could include it as part of a exhibit in a stamp show!
Posted 08/08/2013 11:50 pm
