- The Grateful Dead's band equipment truck
- Affectionately named by band members as 'The Dred'
- Formerly owned by Owsley Stanley
- Featured in Rolling Stone magazine and various other publications
- A true piece of rock and roll history
LOT 667
Selling on Saturday Evening
1949 Studebaker M5 ‘Grateful Dead’ Pickup
An American band formed in 1965 in Palo Alto, California, the Grateful Dead left a lasting impression on the globe, especially among teens and young adults that grew up in the era. In a time when America was in a social society shift, it's hard to quite describe what the Grateful Dead's genre was, as they were known for their eclectic style that infused elements of quite literally everything from rock, folk, bluegrass, blues, reggae, country, jazz, psychedelia, and space rock.
Owned by Owsley Stanley, the Grateful Dead's original sound man and a man that influenced an entire generation with his "outside-the-box" thoughts, this 1949 Studebaker was used as the band's equipment hauler in the 1960s. Known as 'The Dred', it was often seen parked outside the Dead's studio in Novato, California or the party house at Olympia; 'The Dred' became a living legend of its own. A slow gas guzzler, this truck actually hauled the band's equipment to Los Angeles when they recorded their first album, "The Grateful Dead". As time went on, 'The Dred' would be replaced by larger, more modern trucks as it could not haul the Wall of Sound. Featured in various publications and magazines that have been printed and issued around the world, 'The Dred' was mentioned by name in a Rolling Stone magazine feature article on Owsley Stanley in the November 25th, 1982, issue.
Today, 'The Dred' is presented in its original psychedelic livery. Though this truck has seen better days, the patina is truly a part of its character and help tell the long and historic story that this truck has to offer. On the rear of the truck are various California registrations from the '80s documenting where 'The Dred' most likely spent most of its time after retiring from being the band's equipment hauler. The bench seat has been well-kept thanks to a clear cover. Under the hood is a straight six-cylinder motor that is paired with a manual transmission.
The Grateful Dead's impact on music, culture, and live performance remains significant, securing their place as one of the most iconic and influential bands. Truly a piece of rock and roll history, 'The Dred' would make for a wonderful addition to any pop culture collection.
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