The 1955 Studebaker Speedster was part of the President line, State series, new for 1955 and ended up being a one-year-only offering with only 2,215 being produced, according to reliable sources. A single page advertisement proclaimed the Speedster as “Something new and very special.”

Further promotion followed with it being “Styled and built by Studebaker-Packard Corporation….world’s largest producer of sports cars.” And sporty it remains; low-slung, road-hugging, exciting in styling and performance. The performance is delivered from the President line V-8 engine that was given the “Passmaster” name. It is a 259.2-cid with 185-hp that carries a four-barrel carburetor and runs with dual exhaust. The transmission is a column-shift automatic.

“The Speedster is a full-bodied fully weather-protected, five-passenger masterpiece of brilliance and brawn – lightning fast on take-off – surging and sustained 'go' – the smoothest cornering sports model anyone ever drove.” The interior keeps the sporty, yet elegant theme alive with aircraft cockpit-style instrument grouping that includes a tachometer and “high speed” speedometer set in an engine-turned dashboard fascia. Studebaker offered the Speedster in “limited quantities for those who want something very special.”

Fully restored and presented in excellent condition, this Speedster features a black and white two-tone exterior. The interior features similar shades with the seats and headliner in white, while the dash surround, door panels and carpet is black. The seats have been redone in the same diamond-type pattern that the factory offered when new. According to the Standards catalog almost every conceivable option available at the time was standard on the Speedster. Exterior trims, details and brightwork show the beautiful degree of specialness that this car espoused, including the noteworthy and distinctive “butter knife” side trim.

Among these features on the car being offered are factory wirewheel hubcaps, whitewall tires, bumper-integrated foglights, power steering, rear center armrest, clock, Studebaker AM radio with power antenna, spare and trunk liner. The Studebaker has been converted from 6-volt to a 12-volt system.

Studebaker concluded that “It’s strictly a special for the special few in every community who always want the newest and smartest in automobiles.”