1955 Studebaker Speedster

hardtop

259 cubic inch V-8

Automatic

7807944

Clear

Gasoline

Blah blah History: A one year only halo car for Studebaker. As is the case with most limited-run cars, top-of-the-line models and one-year-only models, they are seen by collectors as the most desirable of a given year; low production numbers only bolster desirability in the long-term. As you probably know only a few of these cars were manufactured in South Bend and Los Angeles. Studebaker produced 2,215 Speedsters during the 1955 model year. The 1955 President Speedster was loaded with standard equipment including: choice of Studebaker Automatic Drive or overdrive transmissions, power steering and brakes, dual exhaust, four-barrel carburetor, “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, a Stewart-Warner 160 mph (260 km/h) speedometer and 8,000 rpm tachometer in a simulated engine-turned facing, turn signals, electric clock, tinted glass, cigarette lighter, oil filter and oil bath air cleaner, dual backup lamps, triple horns, two-speed electric wipers, tubeless whitewall tires, simulated wire wheel covers This particular car: It runs, drives and stops. I got the car running and now drive it about twice a week. Sold on an open title. This car has an automatic transmission and power steering and power brakes, dual exhaust,and a four-barrel carburetor. This is a Los Angeles manufactured car. It is essentially a one owner car. The original owner purchased it new kept it over 45 years then passed on, then his son inherited it but never drove it. It seems the older gentleman didn’t want anyone to drive it so he disabled it by taking out the rotor in the distributor. I purchased it from the son and got it running. The son told me it was not the original engine, but it is a date code 1955 Studebaker 259 cubic inch V-8. It runs very smoothly. I can see no repairs made or body filler any place on the body. It might be original paint, I can’t tell, but it has its original colors. This is a real time capsule and it would be a straight forward restoration or leave it alone and have it as a fun driver. The original owner had some upholstery work done but it seems he just covered over the original upholstery with the seat covers that are currently in it. The floors have never been painted and are perfect. To be perfect the car will need a restoration but very minimal body work, because there is virtually no rust just a small dent in the trunk. I don't have fog-lights for the car. Replacement parts are available for the car through many sources, there is a good network of suppliers and many parts are reproduced. This has been a California and Arizona car its whole life. The transmission works but it shifts into high gear early and the brakes work but need to be adjusted. This is one of the few cars you could buy and spruce up and make a profit, check the values on 1955 speedsters at the Haggerty insurance website which says the high value is $69,500.00 and the average value is $38,423.00 and the low is $22,700.00. I don't have space for the car any longer so I am selling. I used to live in Utah 10 years ago, I now live in Arizona but kept my cell number from Utah so I have a Utah area code. I have had the car about a year. The car for sale locally, so you know what that means, I reserve the right to sell it outside of ebay.More info: serial #7807944, body #1653, date shipped August 8th, 1955 I have the records from Studebaker and the engine is not the original born with engine but it is a 1955 Studebaker 259 cubic inch V-8 so it is 1955 correct. The lights work, the speedo works. The tach and radio are not currently working but are there.. The front parking light sockets will need to be replaced, they have current to them but are not working, they are available at reasonable prices.The back brake lights and turn signals work fine.The current upholstery coverings are over the diamond leather, but I'm sure the diamond leather will need to be replaced because of age, The dash is in good shape but has a very small faded area by the headlight switch from use.The car has not been switched over to 12 volt, it is still the original 6 volt with a new optima battery that starts the car up immediately. The glass seems to be all original factory tinted glass in good shape with a very small star (blemish chip) on the windshield, which I think could be filled.The The front windows work fine, the back ones seem jammed, probably from lack of use.If you look at the pictures closely you will notice the front chrome parking light bezel (or housing) is damaged on the right side close to the front passenger tire. The left rear chrome turn signal housing is missing the inside bottom corner. There are 2 small holes in the hood, it seems this hood had a president hood ornament at one time and the small holes would need to be welded up. Missing one Speedster script emblem. Needs a new trunk lock.The lack of rust on this car is really amazing every one I have seen is rusty or had rust repair but not this one. That is pretty much it that I can think of, I want you to have no surprises, but it is a 59 year old car and I might have missed something. I am proud of my 100% positive feedback and want to keep it that way. Any further questions I will gladly answer, I want you to be happy with this rare car. I am driving and working on the car so I may have some of these things fixed by the time the sale ends. If you are interested in purchasing the car you can call me on my cell phone or email me through eBay, I work odd hours as a caregiver so if I don't pick up please leave a message and I'll return your call. (801) 808-8360. Richard Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE