| Studebaker Speedster | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Studebaker |
| Model years | 1955 |
| Assembly | Studebaker Automotive Plant,South Bend, Indiana, United States |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Personal luxury car |
| Body style | 2-doorhardtop coupé |
| Platform | Studebaker President |
| Related | Studebaker President |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 259 cu in (4.2 L)V8[1][2] |
| Transmission |
|
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 120.5 in (3,061 mm)[3] |
| Length | 204.4 in (5,192 mm)[4] |
| Width | 70.4 in (1,788 mm)[4] |
| Height | 56.3 in (1,430 mm)[4] |
| Curb weight | 3,301 lb (1,497 kg)[3] |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Studebaker Champion Starliner |
| Successor | Studebaker Golden Hawk |
TheStudebaker Speedster was an automobile produced by theStudebaker Corporation ofSouth Bend, Indiana during the 1955 model year. The vehicle was considered Studebaker'shalo model for the 1955 season.[2] Studebaker had previously used the Speedster name in the early 1920s, and was a marketing strategy revival of thePresident during that time.
The Speedster was a member of thePresident series, and was based on President hardtop coupe. For 1955, the company heavily restyled its models to incorporate a larger front bumper and a massive chrome grille more in keeping with American cars of the era.[5]
An initial run of twenty Speedsters was made to be displayed at car shows for the 1955 model year.[5][6] Reaction to the show cars caused Studebaker's management to put the car into production mid-year and offer it for the rest of the model year,[5] after which it was replaced by the previously plannedHawk series.[1][2] It allowed the company to offer a competitor to theFord Thunderbird andChrysler 300.
Power came from Studebaker's 259 cu in (4.2 L) V8 engine producing 185 horsepower (138 kW) and 258 pound-feet (350 N⋅m) of torque.[4]
The Speedster's list price started at $3,346,[1] ($39,275 in 2024 dollars[7]) or about $800 more than a base 1955 President State hardtop. The reason was the 1955 President Speedster was loaded with standard equipment including: choice of Studebaker Automatic Drive or overdrive transmissions, power steering, power brakes, four-barrel carburetor, dual exhaust, "Shoemaker-stitched" diamond-quilted genuine top-grain leather seating, carpeting front and rear, a map pocket (but no glove box) an eight-tube push-button radio, amachine turned instrument panel with aStewart-Warner 160 mph (260 km/h) speedometer and an 8,000 rpm tachometer, turn signals, electric clock, tinted glass, cigarette lighter, oil filter and oil bath air cleaner, dual backup lamps, triple horns, two-speed electric wipers,[3] tubeless whitewall tires, simulated wire wheel covers[5][3] and fog-light bumperettes.[3][4]
There was also Speedster-specific trim including a hood-length hood ornament,[3] stainless roof band,[1] Speedster nameplates and checkered emblems as well as chrome-plated ashtrays,rear-view mirror, moldings and tailpipe extensions.[3] They also came in 2- and 3-tone paint jobs,[6] the most famous of which wasHialeah Green &Sun Valley Yellow, called "lemon/lime" by the public.[5][6] The green was a gold flake metallic.
Studebaker produced 2,215 Speedsters during the 1955 model year.[1][3]