1956 Studebaker President

Studebaker emerged from World War II, boasting it was ''First by Far with a Postwar Car,' introducing their new Starlight coupe in 1947. The new model wore styling courtesy of Virgil Exner while at Raymond Loewy Studios. Sales surged steadily upward to levels not seen before the war, bringing the company into eighth place in sales for 1949. As other automakers continued to catch up, Studebaker settled into a steady ninth. Studebaker continued to compete, introducing its own automatic transmission design for 1950, developed in conjunction with Borg-Warner. During that same year, their cars received styling updates that included an aircraft-inspired 'bullet nose' design (which would prove to be a controversial design). In 1958, a modern V-8 engine was introduced, featuring an overhead-valve design that would remain in production for over a decade.

The 'bullet nose' styling theme was dropped from Studebaker's line-up in 1952. For 1953, Raymond Loewy Studios' Robert E. Bourke designed the Starliner hardtop, which would form the cornerstone of Studebaker body designs through 1961. In 1956, the styling was updated with a raised trunk lid and a square, egg-crate grille.

This particular 1956 Studebaker President is finished in a black and white two-tone paint scheme. It is powered by a 289 cubic-inch V-8 engine mated to a standard transmission with overdrive. It has the original floors, trunk, and sheet metal. It has remained essentially stock in overall appearance, though it has been given replacement parts as needed.

By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2015

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 1920s, 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 name the ES. The goal of the President was to be the finest, most powerful, dependable, and most 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.

Raymond Loewy joined Studebaker as a design consultant near the close of the 1930s. 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 car's rear wheels, adding 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 restored to a 'pod' design where the lights bulged out slightly on the sides of the car.

By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2006