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| | View more photos Four Seasons Roadster Chassis Num: 91R121 |
In 1931, Studebaker enhanced the engine further with a nine bearing construction. A modified version of the President won the Pike's Peak hill climb. At the Indianapolis 500, the cars further proved their potential and sporty characteristics by continually finishing in the top ten.
By the early 1930s, Studebaker had captured 114 records with 35 of them remaining for 35 years.
For 1932, the Studebaker was visually modified and given a new grille and suicide doors. Around 200 roadsters were constructed and about 54 surviving for 1931 and nine from 1932.
This 1932 Studebaker President Four Seasons Roadster was offered for sale at the 2007 RM Auctions held in Amelia Island, Florida. It was estimated to sell between $150,000 - $200,000. Under the long and graceful bonnet was a 337 cubic-inch side valve engine with nine main bears. It produced 122 horsepower and had a three-speed synchromesh gearbox.
This car has been treated to a complete restoration which took four years to complete. It has won numerous awards and been judged Junior and Senior awards at AACA Hershey meetings. It was awarded Firs in Class and the Most Elegant Open Car at the Cincinnati Concours d'Elegance. It won Primary and Senior Awards at the CCCA Grand Classic. The vehicle was invited to the 1995 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, an honor just to attend.
At auction, the car did find a new owner with a selling price that met the estimated value. Though the restoration is a little dated, the car is in wonderful condition. The selling price of $176,000 is a fair price for a car this elegant.
| 91 St. Regis Brougham |
Albert R. Erskine, Studebaker's president, spared no expense in funding the President; his intent was to make the President the finest automobile on the American road. Presidents produced from1 1928 to 1933 established numerous land speed records, some of which went unbroken for ten or more years.
In 1932, Studebaker introduced 'Ovaloid' headlights which were oblong in shape and made it easy to identify the President and other 'senior' Studebaker models. Presidents manufactured in this era were considered to be nearly on par with more exclusive marques such as Cadillac, Packard and Chrysler's Imperial model range.
Studebaker went into receivership during 1933, and the era of the big impressive President came to an abrupt end. The Classic Car Club of America regarded as the American authority on granting 'classic car' status, recognizes the 38,403 Studebaker Presidents produced in 1928 (8-cylinder FA & FB models only) and between 1929 and 1933 as a 'Full Classic.'
The Studebaker Company was formed in 1852 as a wagon manufacturer and eventually changed to automotive production, making them one of the oldest names in the automobile industry. They were in the automotive business from 1902 through 1966, a total of 64 years. They produced electric powered cars for the first two years and introduced gasoline power in 1904. During the 1920's they produced vehicles in the mid-priced range and showed great promise during the late 1920s. In 1927 Studebaker moved up-market and into the luxury car segment with their President model line. The President was given a powerful eight-cylinder engine that was worthy of the elegant coachwork that it carried. The engine earned Studebaker a reputation in power, performance and endurance. In 1931 a Studebaker President outfitted with a nine-bearing engine won the Pikes Peak hillclimb.
The Studebaker President stayed in production until 1942 and later reappeared in 1955 and discontinued again in 1958. The first Studebaker was built on July 23rd, 1926 and was given the internal named the ES. The goal of the President was to be the finest, most powerful, dependable, and luxurious car on the American market. By establishing land speed records in the late 1920's and early 1930's, the President cemented its name in the performance department. The powerful nine-bearing eight-cylinder engine captured 114 records, 35 of which would stand for 35 years. The long bodies meant there was plenty of interior room for the passengers and no expense was spared when creating these automotive marvels.
In 1935 the Studebakers could be purchased with a steel sliding roof allowing passengers to enjoy the open air and picturesque views. Sales reached 2305 examples most with a selling price of around $1,529. Some of the optional equipment included exterior mounted chrome salon horns, chrome radiator mascot, two side mounted spare tires, foot hassocks in the rear compartment, Startix automatic starting system, full automatic spark control and chock, overdrive with synchronized shifting, full cushioned power seats, special 4-spoke phantom type steering wheel.
The suspension was improved in 1936 with all Studebakers being equipped with the Startix suspension system. In 1937 a semi-automatic 'Miracle-Shift' transmission was offered, which featured a dashboard mounted shifter. In 1939 the shift lever was moved the steering wheel column and the 'Miracle-Shift' unit was discontinued.
Raymond Loewy joined Studebaker as a design consultant near the close of the 1930's. His influence and designs can be seen on the later 1930 model Presidents.
In 1941 Studebaker offered a premium trim level President, named the Skyway President. This automobile had full fender skirts that enclosed the cars rear wheels, adding a unique styling and improving aerodynamics. These examples were only offered for a short time, as the President line was discontinued in 1942.
The President name reappeared in 1955 and stayed in production until 1958.
The President Speedster was a one-year special edition car based on the 1953 Starliner. Ironically, the 1953 car had virtually no chrome, while the Speedster had chrome virtually everywhere. Three-toning was optional on the Speedster. It was the predecessor to the 1956 Hawk series.
In 1956 the Loewy Euro-style Studebaker was reskinned to look more American. The dashboard was totally redesigned with a 'Cyclops Eye' speedometer sitting atop it. The President Classic had a longer wheelbase than the standard President line and it also had a more powerful engine. Despite the improvements, 1956 was a disastrous sales year for Studebaker.
The President Starlight hardtop was produced for only one year, 1958. The Starlight was complete with chrome and fins, but it was still based on the old 1953 body shell. The narrowness of the body prevented the use of conventional quad headlights, so Studebaker resorted to a 'pod' design where the lights bulged out slightly on the sides of the car.
The Studebaker President stayed in production until 1942 and later reappeared in 1955 and discontinued again in 1958. The first Studebaker was built on July 23rd, 1926 and was given the internal named the ES. The goal of the President was to be the finest, most powerful, dependable, and luxurious car on the American market. By establishing land speed records in the late 1920's and early 1930's, the President cemented its name in the performance department. The powerful nine-bearing eight-cylinder engine captured 114 records, 35 of which would stand for 35 years. The long bodies meant there was plenty of interior room for the passengers and no expense was spared when creating these automotive marvels.
In 1935 the Studebakers could be purchased with a steel sliding roof allowing passengers to enjoy the open air and picturesque views. Sales reached 2305 examples most with a selling price of around $1,529. Some of the optional equipment included exterior mounted chrome salon horns, chrome radiator mascot, two side mounted spare tires, foot hassocks in the rear compartment, Startix automatic starting system, full automatic spark control and chock, overdrive with synchronized shifting, full cushioned power seats, special 4-spoke phantom type steering wheel.
The suspension was improved in 1936 with all Studebakers being equipped with the Startix suspension system. In 1937 a semi-automatic 'Miracle-Shift' transmission was offered, which featured a dashboard mounted shifter. In 1939 the shift lever was moved the steering wheel column and the 'Miracle-Shift' unit was discontinued.
Raymond Loewy joined Studebaker as a design consultant near the close of the 1930's. His influence and designs can be seen on the later 1930 model Presidents.
In 1941 Studebaker offered a premium trim level President, named the Skyway President. This automobile had full fender skirts that enclosed the cars rear wheels, adding a unique styling and improving aerodynamics. These examples were only offered for a short time, as the President line was discontinued in 1942.
The President name reappeared in 1955 and stayed in production until 1958.
The President Speedster was a one-year special edition car based on the 1953 Starliner. Ironically, the 1953 car had virtually no chrome, while the Speedster had chrome virtually everywhere. Three-toning was optional on the Speedster. It was the predecessor to the 1956 Hawk series.
In 1956 the Loewy Euro-style Studebaker was reskinned to look more American. The dashboard was totally redesigned with a 'Cyclops Eye' speedometer sitting atop it. The President Classic had a longer wheelbase than the standard President line and it also had a more powerful engine. Despite the improvements, 1956 was a disastrous sales year for Studebaker.
The President Starlight hardtop was produced for only one year, 1958. The Starlight was complete with chrome and fins, but it was still based on the old 1953 body shell. The narrowness of the body prevented the use of conventional quad headlights, so Studebaker resorted to a 'pod' design where the lights bulged out slightly on the sides of the car.
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Automobile information, history, and statistics from concept to production. | © 1998-2008 Conceptcarz.com
Automobile information, history, and statistics from concept to production. | © 1998-2008 Conceptcarz.com