Studebaker Speedster

The Speedster was a member of the President series, and was based on 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.[5]

An initial run of twenty Speedsters was made to be displayed at car shows for the 1955 model year.[5][6] 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,[5] after which it was replaced by the previously planned Hawk series.[1][2] It allowed the company to offer a competitor to the Ford Thunderbird.

Power came from Studebaker's 259 cubic inches (4.2 L) V8 engine producing 185 horsepower (138 kW) and 258 pound-feet (350 N⋅m) of torque.[4]

The Speedster's list price started at $3,346,[1] 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 8,000 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,[3] tubeless whitewall tires, simulated wire wheel covers[5][3] and fog-light bumperettes.[3][4]

There was also Speedster-specific trim including a hood-length hood ornament,[3] stainless roof band,[1] Speedster nameplates and checkered emblems as well as chrome-plated ashtrays, rear-view mirror, moldings and tailpipe extensions.[3] They also came in 2- and 3-tone paint jobs,[6] the most famous of which was Hialeah Green & Sun Valley Yellow, called "lemon/lime" by the public.[5][6] The green was a gold flake metallic.

Studebaker produced 2,215 Speedsters during the 1955 model year.[1][3]

• Bonsall, Thomas E. (2000). "The Packard Operation". More Than They Promised: The Studebaker Story. Stanford, CA US: Stanford University Press. pp. 277–312. ISBN 0-8047-3586-7. LCCN 00-063564. Retrieved 2014-11-23.
• Ebert, Roger R. (2013). "2. Erskines, Rocknes, Champions, Weasels and Merger". Champion of the Lark: Harold E. Churchill and the Presidency of Studebaker-Packard, 1956-1961. Jefferson, NC US: McFarland. p. 25. ISBN 978-0-7864-7420-2. Retrieved 2014-11-23.
• Koch, Jeff (March 2006). "1955 Studebaker President Speedster". Hemmings. American City Business Journals. Archived from the original on 29 July 2012. Retrieved 23 November 2014.
• Lyons, Dan (2005). "1955 Studebaker President Speedster". Cars of the Fantastic '50s. Iola, WI US: KP Books. pp. 89–91. ISBN 0873499263. LCCN 2004116450.