Studebaker and Packard merged in 1954, just before the start of the 1955 model year. So, the cars that both companies built weren’t impacted until the 1957 model year. The plan to resurrect the President nameplate as Studebaker’s top-of-the-line car in 1955 was already in the books. The seller’s auto is one of just 3,468 President hardtops built in 1955, excluding the swanky Speedster. So, it’s a rare find today in any condition and this one yard runs but needs a lot of work. Located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, this Stude is available here on eBay where the reserve is unmet with a bid of $1,875.
Budget-minded buyers who visited Studebaker showrooms in 1955 probably went home with a Champion. But if you wanted some amenities like those that came with a Chevy Bel Air or Ford Fairlane, the President was your car. Out of 116,333 Studebakers to get assembled in 1955, 24,665 of them were badged as Presidents. Though the seller’s car is not one of them, the President Speedster would be similar with an even higher level of trim and offered just in 1955, to be replaced by the Hawk the following year.
As the story goes, this ’55 President was sold new in Albuquerque and has no doubt stayed in the area all its life. The license plate was last replaced in 1972 and – since the annual update sticker is hard to read – that could be the last time this vehicle was in circulation. The seller found it in a field in Sante Fe and went about bringing it back to life, at least to the extent you see here today. After replacing the fuel pump and the coil, the 259 cubic inch V8 runs off the gas in the tank, which is said to be clean. The brake master cylinder is new, the starter rebuilt, and the tires replaced.
As you might expect for being nearly 70 years old, the Studebaker does have some body issues in terms of rust. To help with repairs, the President will go to its next home with spare rear fenders and one front fender. There is a big hole in the floorboard that will have to be repaired (maybe even the whole floor pan). Interesting is that the automobile’s production order document has survived all these years. What a nifty car this is to serve as a project – with a new coat of “Pima” paint added (sort of like coral or pink).
Little rough around the edges. They sure loused up the front end with that chrome catfish look. Too bad. The original ’53 was a killer looking car.
Indeed, except for the monstrosity in front, they were stunning cars, especially if you find a ’55 President in three-tone. They also had one of the nicest dashes you’ll find inside of any car of that era.
The new owner did a marvelous job bringing it back … looks pristine.
One year older than Iam ! Those ’55 Studebakers were durable automobiles and very reliable for many miles . My neighbor back home owned a 1955 Studebaker , and he claimed it was one of his ” best cars !” As I recall , Studebakers were somewhat scarce especially on the used car lots as late as the mid seventies . The very first Studebaker I was ever in was a 1963 . Today they are all prized and worth a premium ! The last cars produced were the 1966 models , and the rest is history ! Happy Motoring
That design was at least 10 years ahead of its time. It looks like an early ‘60s car. A ‘57 Chevy looks bloated by comparison.
That’s not the original production order but a reproduction sold by the Studebaker Museum based off actual records for that car’s VIN. A nice piece of documentation available for many of the Studebakers still in existence.
“Yard Running” Does that mean you can use it to mow the lawn?
Hate, hate, hate that front bumper! Totally destroyed the beautiful lines of the car. This design was way ahead of its time and still looks good today. If one of the big 3 would have came out with this design the product and sale numbers would have been in the hundreds of thousands. Hope someone steps up and saves this beast.
And speaking of bloated, park a ’55 President next to a ’55-57 Chevy (or similar model year Ford) and it almost looks like George Barris chopped the top on the Stude, because its Loewy designed roofline is so much lower
I was a studebaker freak, i had 7 of them. Only one 51 two 53 models and 4- 55 year models. I had the 55 speedster with a supercharger. I put in a 426 hemi and built a fiberglass tilt front end.
It was street legal and i won 11 cars with it,pink slips. I moved to Florida from New York and it was stolen. I was 4 miles from Don Garlits speed world. Sure do miss it.