Based on Studebaker’s well-known President model, the Speedster was a 2,200 copy, 1955 only model. Who knew? Well, some of you probably did but I missed this one. And, it’s claimed to have only experienced 23K miles! OK then, let’s see what happens when a President gets a little Speedster going for it. This Studebaker is located in Troy, North Carolina and is available, here on eBay for a Classified Ad price of $71,000. There is a make an offer option too.
Considered a personal luxury coupe, and appearing as a midsized hardtop, the Speedster rode on a 120″ wheelbase and stretched to a length of 17 feet which put it in company with many full-size models of the day. Upon initial glimpse, the first thing to hit you is the two-tone Hialeah Greene/Sun Valley Yellow finish. I’m not sure that I would have picked either alone, much less both together – it’s unforgettable, that’s for sure. That said, it’s in fine shape and has nice depth as does the luster of the notable number of trim pieces. The wire wheel covers could almost pass for actual wire wheels, almost – they’re impressive looking. There is nothing here that appears to need any attention.
So, how speedy is a 3,300 lb. coupe powered by a 185 gross HP, 259 CI “Passmaster” V8 engine? I don’t know for certain but the Stewart-Warner 160 MPH speedometer is probably wishful thinking. That said, period literature proclaims, “You’re king of the highway-no doubt about it-for this is the most powerful Studebaker ever built…” A three-speed automatic transmission gets the Passmaster puttin’ the pass to the rear wheels. Oh, and while one is doing all that passing, this Speedster is claimed to have front disc brakes to reign all that passin’ in. Research, however, doesn’t indicate that disc clampers were on the order sheet so I’m wondering if that claim is an error or perhaps this Studebaker has undergone a conversion.
I was convinced that the upholstery pattern was a trim shop styling, something like you’d find in a custom ’49 Merc. Nope, that’s the original diamond-tufted pattern, crafted in “Congo Ivory Top Grain Leather”. OK, it honestly looks like a hue not normally found in nature but it has held up well over the course of its 67 years. It’s showing just the right amount of age cracking but nothing more deleterious than that. Even the package shelf got the “Harlequin Stitched Leather” treatment. And as the sales brochure proclaims, “and completing the sports car theme is the Speedster’s functional ‘race car’ instrument panel” which is an engine-turned dash panel containing white on black Stewart Warner engine gauges. It is an impressive effect.
Well, I love the car, the color(s), not so much so. Yes, probably sounds petty but to really enjoy a special automobile you have to like looking at it. So, take a look at this video, and tell me, what do you think of the Hialeah Greene/Sun Valley Yellow outfit; is it a yes, a no, or a doesn’t matter?
The lemon-and-lime 2-tone seems to have been the signature color for this model.
Methinks it would be gorgeous in black.
Yes this paint combo was the most popular but yes black….and the pink of the era was also chose for these.
I’ll Take Two Please .
Yes yes and sure why not? you will have the only one.
There is one of these,same colour,in the UK.
There is one of these,same colour,in the UK.
A friend I bought a car from told me long ago, it’s not like you can go to the dealer and order the colors you want anymore so you’re stuck with what color is available. Definitely a polarizing color combo. Either you like it or hate it.
I’d take the colors on that over today’s smoke, graphite,satin, gun metal, carbon, stone, oyster……..you get the point.
…Not minding the fact that if you look at it in the sun without sunglasses, you will have burnt retinas.
Black, ebony or charcoal
My first thought was this must have been a John Deere company car.
Yes, you would have the only one at Cars ‘n Coffee. With good reason.
Disc brakes were probably fitted from a later model Studebaker. I’m pretty sure that 1963 was the first year for factory front discs. (Standard on Avanti, optional on other models.)
Cool car but the front grille and bumper treatment is hideous compared to the clean 1953 design.
Many have the Turner disc brake up grade. It is better than what Studebaker used.
Dunlap bad ?
Yes – its just basically a bolt on for those 63 up factory disk brakes.
oh that’s lovely …
Nice looking car but would like at least one down to earth, full picture of the car vs. all the drone partial picture shots. Not a real green fan but I do like the strong colors on this car.
Both I like the car as well as the colours
I like the color combo. It is very Studebakerish.
This car has been for sale in several places for a long time. As a car salesman told me once, if your car doesn’t sell over a long period of time, it probably means the price is too HIGH!
I have wanted one of these ever since I first saw one back in the fifties. It was this same color, and for a sixteen year old poor boy it was an impossible dream to even think about buying it. Life can play tricks on you sometimes, the asking price on this one is the same as what it costs me per year for my wife’s memory care home, so I still can’t buy it. No one ever said life is fair.
Thought I remembered the salmon and gray combination on these. Here’s a tri-color combination:
https://automuseumonline.com/the-dazzling-1955-studebaker-president-speedster.html#:~:text=For%20instance%2C%20standard%20two%20tone%20paint%20came%20in,the%20buyer%20seeking%20style%20rather%20than%20simply%20transportation.
“YES”
I love the color combo.
A bilious color combination. I LOVE it!
nice to see in this shape. Gives one a concept of what they were, when in numbers out on the street.
Drop a dime to the Hollywoods who rent-a-day for sets of old movies. National searches go by here often. Nother co. brokers a rent-a-drive of older cars. Huge insurance covers repairs even scratches to ur pride’n ride. Pay can be very hi by the hr and part day (depending on model).
More ways to keep ur baby runnin once U get it in good shape~
Scottymac,
That link to the tricolor Speedster is great. Very interesting color combo. I am a big fan of fender skirts, but this is one car they never should have been made for.
Never heard of seen a studebaker sppedster So being a “speedster” is that just a model or is it a no back seat like 2 seater??
It’s a special model for the President hardtop. Came with just about every option and had a Speedster specific leather interior, instrument panel, and “Speedster” scripts. They made just over 2200 of these cars in I believe 4 color combinations. The lemon-lime combination is the most common. They cost a lot in ’55 and many languished on the lots into the next model year where they had to be discounted severely to sell them next to the restyled Hawk line with updated styling and a larger 289 (or 352 Packard in some cases) engine available.
Never mind I see in the eBay add it has a back seat
If I wanted an orphan I would rather have the desirous listed today
Black, ebony or charcoal
Ooh, a lemon-lime Speedster. I love these. The colors absolutely make the car, in my opinion. It’s not for shrinking violets though. This is an extroverted car if there ever was one.
I was 14 when this came out and that is the color combo in the advertising at the time. I would think one could fit the Paxton supercharger used later by Studebaker to this engine and make it into a really fast car. Much chrome up front. The two mid back rear lights look strange to me. Add on directionals? They should have been standard equipment by then, not in 1950, but by 1955.
Those are the back-up lights!!!
Awesome colour combination. Very similar to the 1956 Chev BelAir. Colours. I don’t recall anyone complaining about it on Chevs.
Only comment is when I watched the video, I was very disappointed with the sound … the stupid music was way to loud to hear the girl describe the car!!! Just shows how poor some folks are in video production. Back when I worked in TV I would have been fired if I put out a commercial like that, where the music competed with the message.
And that factory seat……mummmmm
Was a 6-volt car not 12 so had to be changed. Not stock I’ve had three Disc brakes also mentioned not stock. There was an optional seat belt which I had in one of mine.
Dave, you are correct, I suspect the power windows are modern, the switches appear to be much later. It says in the ad the car has Am/Fm radio, but I only see an Am radio. Probably had modern radio electronics installed.
Nice car, but overpriced. I’ve owned well over 100 Studebakers over the last 50+ years, had one almost exactly like this in the 1970s, but back then everyone seemed to have a negative opinion of that color combination.
Had one girlfriend who said she hated the colors and said she wasn’t riding in it. Was easier to find a new g/f than a really nice, near mint condition rust-free Studebaker!