A Wagon Builder Becomes Successful Automaker
An interesting note for automobile history is that Studebaker was the only nationally known wagon manufacturer to survive the transition from horses to motorized vehicles. Another interesting side note is that it was a Civil War surplus Studebaker wagon that was converted into the first chuckwagon in the late 1860’s by Texas rancher Charles Goodnight.
The Studebaker President Line
After Packard acquired Studebaker in 1954, the President line was added as a new top-of-the-line model for Studebaker. The President was a good choice for Studebaker.
It was a good addition to the economy Champion and the mid-priced Commander lines. The President is of the 1950’s was a revival of a model name that brought Studebaker excellent reviews back during the Great Depression years. As far back as 1928 the Studebaker President model won over 100 stock car records. In 1932 a special Studebaker President model came in third at Indianapolis.
The Studebaker President Speedster
The 1955 Studebaker President Speedster was one of those concept cars that acquired quite a bit of buyer enthusiasm when unveiled at an auto show.The Speedster is one of the most striking Studebakers of all time. Studebaker’s goal with the Speedster was to build a five passenger sports car to compete against the Big Three automakers. This was the time that sports car enthusiasm was rising in the U.S. and U.S. automakers were attempting to make inroads against the European imports.
Fourteen cars were originally built, all hardtops, for exhibition purposes only. As mentioned above, with the overwhelming public acceptance, the model was put into limited production. The production vehicles had every part and feature included on the fourteen original show cars.
The car was added mid-year in 1955 and put into limited production. The 1955 Studebaker President Speedster was the company’s entry into the sports car market and it was the highest priced model in the top tier President line. The 1955 Studebaker President Speedster sold new starting at about $3,250. This was a good $800 more than the cost of a standard President.
The Studebaker President Speedster Styling
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