Studebaker Speedster

The Studebaker Speedster was an automobile produced by the Studebaker Corporation of South Bend, Indiana during the 1955 model year. The vehicle is considered Studebaker’s halo model for the 1955 season. Studebaker had previously used the Speedster name in the early 1920s. The Speedster was a member of the Studebaker President series, and was based on Studebaker’s 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. An initial run of twenty Speedsters was made to be displayed at car shows for the 1955 model year. 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, after which it was replaced by the previously planned Hawk series. The Speedster's list price started at $3,346, or about $800 more than a base 1955 President State hardtop.