Photo: rlsedillo/eBay
While it's not the most iconic Studebaker ever produced, the President was an important nameplate for the company. The President debuted in 1926 to replace the Big Six, the firm's premium model. It was one of the finest American automobiles at the time. Additionally, Presidents built through 1933 established land speed records that stood for decades.
Redesigned with a streamlined body in 1934, the second-generation President soldiered on until 1940. That's when Studebaker unveiled a revised variant, which was short-lived due to the US joining World War II. While most nameplates returned after the war, the President was dropped and did not return until 1955.
The fourth and final generation was also a premium-trimmed vehicle. But unlike its predecessor, it was now available in no fewer than six body styles, including station wagons. The fourth-gen President was also short-lived. Studebaker discontinued the badge again in 1958 to focus on the compact Lark.
It's also worth noting that the 1955 President spawned a limited-edition model called the Speedster. Aimed at the personal luxury car market, the Speedster was offered as a two-door hardtop with a two-tone paint job and V8 power. A one-year wonder, the Speedster inspired Studebaker to create the more iconic Golden Hawk.
The hardtop you see here is not a Speedster, but it's just as beautiful. Or at least it was before it was abandoned in a field in Santa Fe sometime in the early 1990s. But even though it spent around 30 years under total exposure to the elements, this President is still in one piece. Amazingly enough, it still shows vivid traces of its factory pink paint and two-tone interior.
And don't let the weathered appearance and the rust holes fool you; this Studebaker still runs and drives. According to the owner, the 259-cubic-inch (4.2-liter) V8 engine fired right up with a bit of tinkering. And once he changed the master cylinder, battery, and tires and rebuilt the starter and the fuel pump, it became drivable too. Not only that, but it runs off the gas tank, a rare feat for classics that have been sitting for this long.
This President is also a relatively rare rig. Studebaker built 24,665 units in 1955, but this figure includes all body styles. This two-door hardtop is one of only 3,468 examples that left the factory in this configuration that year. And given the low survival rate of Studebakers, it's probably one of fewer than 1,000 that are still around and one of just a few that still run and drive.
The owner rescued this President because "my dad had one similar when I was young and wanted to relive the glory days," but he now wants to sell so he can work on other projects. If you want to turn this cool survivor into a fully restored gem, the President is being auctioned off as we speak. Bidding has reached $1,875, which is a bargain, but the auction will be up for five more days. For reference, restored 1955 Presidents can fetch as much as $25,000.
The fourth and final generation was also a premium-trimmed vehicle. But unlike its predecessor, it was now available in no fewer than six body styles, including station wagons. The fourth-gen President was also short-lived. Studebaker discontinued the badge again in 1958 to focus on the compact Lark.
It's also worth noting that the 1955 President spawned a limited-edition model called the Speedster. Aimed at the personal luxury car market, the Speedster was offered as a two-door hardtop with a two-tone paint job and V8 power. A one-year wonder, the Speedster inspired Studebaker to create the more iconic Golden Hawk.
The hardtop you see here is not a Speedster, but it's just as beautiful. Or at least it was before it was abandoned in a field in Santa Fe sometime in the early 1990s. But even though it spent around 30 years under total exposure to the elements, this President is still in one piece. Amazingly enough, it still shows vivid traces of its factory pink paint and two-tone interior.
And don't let the weathered appearance and the rust holes fool you; this Studebaker still runs and drives. According to the owner, the 259-cubic-inch (4.2-liter) V8 engine fired right up with a bit of tinkering. And once he changed the master cylinder, battery, and tires and rebuilt the starter and the fuel pump, it became drivable too. Not only that, but it runs off the gas tank, a rare feat for classics that have been sitting for this long.
This President is also a relatively rare rig. Studebaker built 24,665 units in 1955, but this figure includes all body styles. This two-door hardtop is one of only 3,468 examples that left the factory in this configuration that year. And given the low survival rate of Studebakers, it's probably one of fewer than 1,000 that are still around and one of just a few that still run and drive.
The owner rescued this President because "my dad had one similar when I was young and wanted to relive the glory days," but he now wants to sell so he can work on other projects. If you want to turn this cool survivor into a fully restored gem, the President is being auctioned off as we speak. Bidding has reached $1,875, which is a bargain, but the auction will be up for five more days. For reference, restored 1955 Presidents can fetch as much as $25,000.
Google News