When it comes to project candidates, some vehicles require more skills to achieve a decent result than others. This 1955 Studebaker President could be ideal for a novice, as life in a dry climate has allowed it to avoid the rust issues that often plague classics of this vintage. It appears complete, with no missing major components. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Curvette for spotting the Studebaker listed here on eBay in Las Vegas, Nevada. The seller set their auction to open at $5,500, but has received no bids. However, with No Reserve to cloud the situation, someone could become the President’s new owner with a single mouse click.
Studebaker performed a badge revival in 1955. It had discontinued the President in 1942, but reintroduced it thirteen years later as the marque’s premium offering. This first-year example looks tired, with the sun having baked its Velvet Black paint. However, the seller indicates that it has spent its entire life in California and Nevada and remains rust-free. Therefore, any restoration will not require extensive cutting and welding. The panels have a few bumps and bruises, none severe enough to warrant steel replacement. It appears that every piece of trim is present, and anything that won’t respond to a polish cloth is a prime candidate for a trip to the platers. The tinted glass looks acceptable for a driver-grade restoration, and the wheels retain their original hubcaps.
California and Nevada may be excellent locations for steel preservation, but the sun in those states can wreak havoc on interior trim. This President is no exception, although it isn’t as bad as some classics from the region previously featured at Barn Finds. The seatcovers are toast, the remaining upholstered surfaces exhibit deterioration, and the wheel is cracked. However, the dash and pad look surprisingly good, and there appear to be no missing items. The factory radio is intact, as is the clock.
Powering this Studebaker is a 259ci V8, with factory-rated power and torque of 175hp and 250 ft-lb. Although buyers could equip their new purchase with a manual transmission, this car features the optional three-speed automatic unit. Performance wouldn’t have been spectacular, but cruising on the open road at 70mph wouldn’t have caused this car much stress. The motor’s appearance indicates it hasn’t been in use for many years. The seller states that the V8 doesn’t turn, but it is unclear whether a dose of Mystery Oil might alleviate the issue. However, it would be prudent to include the cost of mechanical refurbishment in the restoration budget.
The 1955 Studebaker President will probably never make the list of America’s ten most desirable classics, nor is it likely to become a mega-bucks long-term investment. However, it emerged at a time when Studebaker teetered on the brink of bankruptcy. The situation was beyond salvation, with the company limping along gamely until the mid-1960s. Therefore, if you wish to preserve a vehicle from a marque that was unable to compete with the “Big Three,” and has since disappeared into the dusty pages of history, returning this President to its factory form could be a viable option.
OMG, I’ve longed for one for year, love these Studebakers. Too Old now, but it’s on my list for my next life.
Pretty sure I saw this guy do a youtube video on this car. Look it up to see what he thinks is wrong with it.
I would install the front clip from a 53-54 and paint it light yellow. A non- post hardtop in this condition is a rare find.
Save that hood !!!!
Assuming parts are available, this would make an awesome resto project. 1955 is my favourite year for Studebaker until the 1959-61 Lark.
PArts are available.
Love this car! I owned and drove Studebakers since 1957…started with a used ’50 Champ, ($50) ’52 Champ 2dr hardtop, several ’53 & ’54 Commander hardtops and finally a ’55 Commander 4 door sedan (3 speed w/overdrive) sold about 4 years ago. If I wasn’t so doggone old I’d love to buy this car and restore it to appear as a ’55 Speedster…the one Stude dream I never got to realize over 70 years of driving!
Bob Bourke, Raymond Loewy’s “Man in South Bend,” designed the ’53 Studie redo, specifically the Starlight Coupes. Don’t know who did the “design warp” to come up with the rather ungainly “regular” cars but it didn’t come from Bob’s sketch pad; he told me so. When I knew him he still had the Bonneville record speed coupe that had concrete poured in the trunk wells to keep the rear end on the ground at better than a hundred. If I remember correctly, it was white/black. Oh, he was driving a Series 1 Ford Fiesta at the time.
I almost jumped, but then I saw it doesn’t run. Along with the i nterior? THis guy is dreaming. 2500-3000 maybe.
This is one of my bucket list cars, the price not too bad, but far too far away from me, oh well!
Slightly off topic, but I was a long time fan of Marvel Mystery Oil. I took a plastic quart off the shelf to use in my tractor and bottle disintegrated in my hand. Oil everywhere. I called them three times and they were very polite and apologetic and said they would send me a coupon for a replacement. Never heard from them again. Very disappointed. P.S. Nice Studie and good write-up from Adam. I had a 60 Lark and loved it until the block cracked in an unexpected freeze.
nice western piece but it will cost a pretty penny to bring it back but would look good done
There’s louvers on the hood. Is this factory? I don’t remember seeing others with this. Im not a fan. From my perspective it’s going to cost more to revive the vehicle than what the seller is looking for in all likelihood. Maybe it’d work out if you can do a lot of the work yourself. Sadly I don’t have a lot of confidence that this Studie will be back on the road. I’m of mixed feelings about the styling. I really like the rear design and there are a lot of unique features too. The front not so much. Hopefully the car will find a way back to driveability. GLWTS.
The louvers aren’t factory, maybe someone’s effort to reduce under hood temps in the south west. IMHO the earlier cars simply looked so much better. As the car aged they kept slathering on chrome and fins to try to make it look more like what Detroit was selling and the basic car was so much better proportioned that anything the big 3 did for the next dozen years. If the front clip from a 53 or 54 actually fits and getting rid of the side chrome you could make something that looks stunning. These weren’t particularly good handling and weren’t known for having good brakes so the best thing would be to swap in an aluminum LS and the put different running gear under it and go more to a restomod. The thing is the bones are good and other than paint you’re not doing a lot of body work.
Sorce a Studie engine – good ones are cheap due to all the SBC’s being dropped in….or do a SBC and the brakes to have some fun as is……rust free ones are hard to come by…..mose came from the factory with rust….
The front bumper on these are absolutely hideous!!! Love the rest of the car. Studes of this era are definitely unique vehicles. Loewy and Bourke were masters in design during this time. I think it’s funny how many people say they always wanted one but never owned one. Maybe that’s why Studebaker went under, people thought about buying one but never did.
Ended with 0 bids.