Here’s one you won’t see every day, a 1957 Studebaker President. Most ’57 Studebakers that we cover here on BF are usually Hawks; a President sedan? Not so much so. It appears to be in mostly original condition and is free from damage and rust. Times were tough for the independent from South Bend in ’57, Ford and Chevrolet were pretty much hoggin’ the entire new car market, and it was hard for a small manufacturer like Studebaker to persevere, yet they managed. Let’s take a close look at this Chief Executive and see what made Stude tick so many long years ago. Claremont, California, is where you’ll find this stylish two-tone sedan, and it’s available here on craigslist for $9,500.

To my eyes, this Studebaker looks like it truly belongs in 1957. I see an amalgam of other manufacturers’ styling cues inherent in this President’s exterior. And the President wasn’t Studebaker’s only trick; they also built the aforementioned Hawk, along with the Commander and Champion series, but the President, offered in two or four-door sedan, was perched at the top of the totem pole. Studebaker came in thirteenth place in the ’57 production race with just 74,000 units. Of that total, only 10,700 were President four-door sedans. So rare? Not really, but definitely not common either. The seller states, “I had the original paint clear-coated and it looks great,” and I’d agree, it’s decent, though the clear-coat has been applied over some paint-faded panels. I’m generally not a fan of brown, except maybe on nice shoes or a belt, but that shade, and the contrasting tan hue of the roof and coves, works well. The chrome bits are strong, and as mentioned earlier, there’s no indication of rust or even minor parking lot friction.

While not stated in the listing, research indicates that all President models were equipped with a 289 CI, V8 engine generating either 210 or 225 gross HP (the carburetor is the difference). The powerplant in this car has been modified with an aftermarket four-barrel carburetor and an open-element air cleaner, but other than that, it appears to be stock. Power, in this case, is channeled by a Flight-O-Matic automatic transmission. With 97K miles on its clock, the seller claims, “Runs and drives well.”

The interior is a mixed bag.  The two-tone vinyl upholstery is in great shape, so good that I’d suggest it’s a redo. The dash, the top surface in particular, looks like it was in a fire. My thought is that this is what one sees when a long-stuck-on dashpad is removed. There’s no carpet or mat on the floor, but the surface looks sound and has probably been coated with a rust preservative or just ordinary paint. The headliner is fine, but the rear package shelf has been removed – as I suggested, it’s a mixed bag.

All in all, I’d rate this President as a solid specimen; the exterior has no needs, and the interior’s are relatively minor. What this Studebaker really needs is a new owner, and that could be a challenge – the additional rear doors likely not helping with that matter. But, if independents are your thing, this is as nice an example as you’ll find, wouldn’t you agree?