Editing Studebaker Speedster

{{Infobox automobile
| name = Studebaker Speedster
| image = Green Studebaker Speedster.jpg
| manufacturer = [[Studebaker]]
| production = 
| model_years = 1955
| assembly = [[Studebaker#Studebaker Factories|Studebaker Automotive Plant]], [[South Bend, Indiana]], United States
| designer = 
| class = [[Personal luxury car]]
| body_style = 2-door [[hardtop coupé]]
| layout = 
| platform = [[Studebaker President]]
| related = [[Studebaker President]]
| engine = {{convert|259|cuin|L|1|abbr=on}} [[V8 engine|V8]]{{Sfn|Lyons|2005|p=90}}{{Sfn|Ebert|2013|p=25}}
| transmission = {{Unbulleted list | 3-speed Borg-Warner manual | 3-speed Borg-Warner DG250 automatic}}
| wheelbase = {{convert|120.5|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}{{Sfn|Koch|2006}}
| length = {{convert|204.4|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}<ref name=brochure>{{citation |title=Speedster by Studebaker (brochure) |publisher=Studebaker-Packard Corporation}}</ref>
| width = {{convert|70.4|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}<ref name=brochure/>
| height = {{convert|56.3|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}<ref name=brochure/>
| weight = {{convert|3301|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}}{{sfn|Koch|2006}}
| predecessor = [[Studebaker Champion#Fourth generation|Studebaker Champion Starliner]]
| successor = [[Studebaker Golden Hawk]]
| sp = us
}}
The '''Studebaker Speedster''' was an automobile produced by the [[Studebaker]] Corporation of [[South Bend, Indiana]] during the 1955 model year. The vehicle was considered Studebaker's [[halo model]] for the 1955 season.{{Sfn|Ebert|2013|p=25}} Studebaker had previously used the Speedster name in the early 1920s, and was a marketing strategy revival of the [[Studebaker President#First generation|President]] during that time.

==Description==
The Speedster was a member of the [[Studebaker President#Fourth generation|President]] 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.{{Sfn|Lyons|2005|p=89}}

An initial run of twenty Speedsters was made to be displayed at car shows for the 1955 model year.{{Sfn|Lyons|2005|p=89}}{{Sfn|Bonsall|2000|p=293}} 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,{{Sfn|Lyons|2005|p=89}} after which it was replaced by the previously planned [[Studebaker-Packard Hawk series|Hawk series]].{{Sfn|Lyons|2005|p=90}}{{Sfn|Ebert|2013|p=25}} It allowed the company to offer a competitor to the [[Ford Thunderbird (first generation)|Ford Thunderbird]] and [[Chrysler 300 letter series|Chrysler 300]].

Power came from Studebaker's {{convert|259|cuin|L|1|abbr=on}} V8 engine producing {{convert|185|hp|kW|0}} and {{convert|258|lbft|Nm|0}} of torque.<ref name=brochure/>

==Features==
The Speedster's list price started at $3,346,{{Sfn|Lyons|2005|p=90}} (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|3346|1955}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US}} dollars {{inflation-fn|US}}) 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, a [[Engine turning|machine turned]] instrument panel with a [[Stewart-Warner]] {{convert|160|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} speedometer and an 8,000&nbsp;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,{{Sfn|Koch|2006}} tubeless whitewall tires, simulated wire wheel covers{{Sfn|Lyons|2005|p=89}}{{Sfn|Koch|2006}} and fog-light bumperettes.{{Sfn|Koch|2006}}<ref name=brochure/>

There was also Speedster-specific trim including a hood-length hood ornament,{{Sfn|Koch|2006}} stainless roof band,{{Sfn|Lyons|2005|p=90}} Speedster nameplates and checkered emblems as well as chrome-plated ashtrays, [[rear-view mirror]], moldings and tailpipe extensions.{{Sfn|Koch|2006}} They also came in 2- and 3-tone paint jobs,{{Sfn|Bonsall|2000|p=293}} the most famous of which was [[Hialeah, Florida|Hialeah]] Green & [[Sun Valley, Idaho|Sun Valley]] Yellow, called "lemon/lime" by the public.{{Sfn|Lyons|2005|p=89}}{{Sfn|Bonsall|2000|p=293}} The green was a gold flake metallic.

Studebaker produced 2,215 Speedsters during the 1955 model year.{{Sfn|Lyons|2005|p=90}}{{Sfn|Koch|2006}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==Bibliography==
*{{cite book
|last1=Bonsall
|first1=Thomas E.
|year=2000
|chapter=The Packard Operation
|chapter-url={{Google books|w67Uhn6bpnsC|More Than They Promised: The Studebaker Story|page=293|plainurl=yes}}
|title=More Than They Promised: The Studebaker Story
|url={{Google books|w67Uhn6bpnsC|More Than They Promised: The Studebaker Story|plainurl=yes}}
|location=Stanford, CA US
|publisher=Stanford University Press
|pages=277–312
|isbn=0-8047-3586-7
|lccn=00-063564
|access-date=2014-11-23
}}
*{{Cite book
|last= Ebert
|first= Roger R.
|title= Champion of the Lark: Harold E. Churchill and the Presidency of Studebaker-Packard, 1956-1961
|year= 2013
|location= Jefferson, NC US
|publisher= McFarland
|chapter= 2. Erskines, Rocknes, Champions, Weasels and Merger
|isbn= 978-0-7864-7420-2
|page= 25
|url={{Google books|RSmXAAAAQBAJ|Champion of the Lark: Harold Churchill and the Presidency of Studebaker-Packard, 1956-1961|page=25|plainurl=yes}}
|access-date=2014-11-23
}}
*{{cite web
| url           = http://www.hemmings.com/hmn/stories/2006/03/01/hmn_feature24.html
| title         = 1955 Studebaker President Speedster
| last1         = Koch
| first1        = Jeff
| date          = March 2006
| website       = Hemmings
| publisher     = American City Business Journals
| archive-url   = https://web.archive.org/web/20120729152023/http://www.hemmings.com/hmn/stories/2006/03/01/hmn_feature24.html
| archive-date  = 29 July 2012
| url-status    = live
| access-date   = 23 November 2014
}}
*{{cite book
|last=Lyons
|first=Dan
|year=2005
|chapter=1955 Studebaker President Speedster
|chapter-url={{Google books|E3ffDZeLOQsC|Cars of the Fantastic '50s|page=89|plainurl=yes}}
|editor-last=Collins
|editor-first=Tom
|display-editors=0
|title=Cars of the Fantastic '50s
|url={{Google books|E3ffDZeLOQsC|Cars of the Fantastic '50s|plainurl=yes}}
|location=Iola, WI US
|publisher=KP Books
|pages=89–91
|isbn=0873499263
|lccn=2004116450
}}
 
{{Studebaker}}
{{Studebaker historic timeline}}
{{Studebaker-Packard_Hawk series}}
[[Category:Studebaker vehicles]]
[[Category:Coupés]]
[[Category:Cars introduced in 1955]]