1955 Studebaker President Pimlico Gray Poly / Ivory Speedster

1955 Studebaker President Speedster * Only 2,200 Produced!

1955 Studebaker President Speedster.  Only 2,200 Speedster’s produced in total, with only 420 of them made in the Los Angeles plant.  This car is one of the 420 and has the 78 series vin number (7807919). The car has had a complete restoration done on it at some point and still shows very well.  My father purchased this vehicle through a classic auto dealer in Washington approximately 15 years ago and driven less than 2,000 miles since that time. 

The car has no visible signs of rust.  Vehicle still has one of the 2 tone paint scheme that all the speedster’s came with along with gorgeous diamond stitched interior.  The paint schemes and interior designs on these cars set them apart from other manufactured cars in 1955.  Also have beautiful stainless steel dashes with full instrumentation, including tachometer (Tach is no longer original as the distributor has been changed out). 

Car has the 259 cubic inch V8 engine.  Stock Studebaker transmission has just been replaced with a built GM 700R4 overdrive transmission, adapter plate and drive shaft at a cost of $4,500.  Now has a standard shift pattern, new indicator and B&M shift controller. So much better than the stock transmission.  Power brakes and power steering came stock in these models.  Undercarriage is very clean overall. Brake lines and fuel lines replaced in prior restoration.  Just replaced both front and rear shocks, brake booster and master cylinder. Car has been converted to 12 volt negative ground system at time of transmission swap.

I do not believe the trunk lid is original.  Does not have the backup lights mounted in the lid and car does not have the lights.  The fitment of the trunk lid is also off causing some paint chipping on some edges and gaps in other areas.  Front grill has some peeling chrome and one of the front bumper guards has a dent.  I have an extra grill and side extensions where blinkers mount for replacement.  The rest of the body is still very clean and the paint still shines. Stainless trim is also in great condition.  Fog lights that mount to front bumper are in the trunk as my dad didn’t like the look. 

Car is riding on Coker white wall bias ply tires.  They have some age to them but car has always been garaged.  

Car is not perfect but is still a very nice vehicle.  Please look at all the pictures as I tried to catch both the good and bad.  Don’t hesitate asking question, I will try to answer to my best ability and passed on knowledge of the car.  My father is 84, so he may or may not remember everything from purchase of vehicle. 

Clean title in my name in the state of CA.  Car is not currently registered and or plated.   Just had the title changed from my father in Idaho to myself so I could sell it for him.