1955 Studebaker president speedster Speedster

The Studebaker Speedster was an ONE YEAR ONLY model produced by the Studebaker Corporation of South Bend. Indiana during the 1955 model year. The vehicle is considered Studebaker's halo model for the 1955 season. Studebaker had previously used the Speedster name in the early 1920s.

The Speedster was a member of the Studebaker President series. and was based on Studebaker's President hardtop coupe. For 1955. the company heavily restyled its models to incorporate a larger front bumper and a massive chrome grille more in keeping with American cars of the era.

An initial run of twenty Speedsters was made to be displayed at car shows for the 1955 model year. Reaction to the show cars caused Studebaker's management to put the car into production mid-year and offer it for the rest of the model year. after which it was replaced by the previously planned Hawk series.

The Speedster's list price started at $3. 46. or about $800 more than a base 1955 President State hardtop. The reason was the 1955 President Speedster was loaded with standard equipment including: choice of Studebaker Automatic Drive or overdrive transmissions. power steering. power brakes. four-barrel carburetor. dual exhaust. "Shoemaker-stitched" diamond-quilted genuine top-grain leather seating. carpeting front and rear. a map pocket (but no glove box) an eight-tube push-button radio. an engine-turned dashboard with a Stewart-Warner 160 mph (260 km/h) speedometer and an 8. 00 rpm tachometer. turn signals. electric clock. tinted glass. cigarette lighter. oil filter and oil bath air cleaner. dual backup lamps. triple horns. two-speed electric wipers. tubeless whitewall tires. simulated wire wheel covers[4][3] and fog-light bumperettes.

There was also Speedster-specific trim including a hood-length hood ornament. stainless roof band. Speedster nameplates and checkered emblems as well as chrome-plated ashtrays. rear-view mirror. moldings and tailpipe extensions. They also came in 2- and 3-tone paint jobs. the most famous of which was Hialeah Green & Sun Valley Yellow. called "lemon/lime" by the public. The green was a gold flake metallic.

Studebaker produced 2. 15 Speedsters during the 1955 model year.  This particular Speedster has its original engine and drive train and has had a total nut and bolt restoration completed in 2010 of which there is extensive photos of what was done. The car was purchased by the current owner in 2012 and has been the veteran of two Copperstate 1000 rallies in Arizona where it performed flawlessly. The car is in truly concours level condition inside and out and everything on the car works as the day it was new. This is a turn key classic automobile that is truly unique and very rare and in what is considered by many to be he most attractive “tuxedo” paint scheme available to the Speedster in 1955.

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