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1933 Studebaker President Speedway

The Studebaker Company was formed in 1852 as a wagon manufacturer, and by the late twenties, it had become a successful manufacturer of mid-market cars that offered comfort, luxury, and stylish designs at an attractive price. As the 1920s were coming to a close, the company made a bold attempt to move upmarket with a high-end car dubbed the President, powered by a new high-output engine. Studebaker marketed the President as 'finds a parallel in sustained speed only in the light of comets, meteors, and other heavenly bodies.'

The engine demonstrated its durability and performance in 1928 when three Presidents circled the Atlantic City board track for 25,000 miles, averaging 68mph. In 1931, the engine was upgraded to nine main bearing construction, and a modified Preisdent won the Pike's Peak hillclimb. Additionally, Studebakers always finished in the top ten at the Indy 500.

The 1933 Studebaker

As the early 1930s brought financial devastation due to the Great Depression, Studebaker soldiered on with both six- and eight-cylinder models. All models were offered in a variety of body styles, in both open and closed configurations.

The company's 'entry-level' six-cylinder Series 56 rested on a 117-inch wheelbase and was priced from $915 to $1,120 depending on body style. The L-head inline six-cylinder unit displaced 230 cubic inches and had four main bearings, solid valve lifters, a Stromberg two-barrel carburetor, and delivered 85 horsepower at 3,200 RPM. It had Delco-Remy ignition, mechanical brakes, an automatic starter, an automatic choke, and ball-bearing spring shackles. The styling was similar to the previous year, with oval-shaped headlights, flowing contours, and streamlined shapes. All 1933 Studebaker models received updated vertical grille bars that extended further downward and formed a rounded 'vee' at the bottom (cow catcher style - as seen on trains of the era).

The 'Dictator' Series of 1932 did not return for 1933, partially due to the company's financial trouble.

The 'entry-level' eight-cylinder Studebaker model was the Series 73 'Commander' resting on a 117-inch wheelbase platform that it shared with its six-cylinder sibling. Its L-head inline eight-cylinder engine displaced 235 cubic inches and had solid valve lifters, nine main bearings, a Stromberg two-barrel carburetor, and delivered 100 horsepower at 3,800 RPM. Body styles were similar to the six-cylinder model and prices ranged from $1,095 to $1,300.

Both the Series 56 and Series 73 were offered as a Regal sedan, sedan, Regal convertible sedan, convertible sedan, Regal St. Regis Brougham, Regal Sport Coupe, sports coupe, Regal coupe, coupe, Regal roadster convertible, and convertible. The Series 73 had skirted fenders, more sweeping rooflines, and a sloped grille.

The Studebaker President

Studebaker offered two 'Presidents' in 1933, the Series 82 resting on a 125-inch wheelbase and the Series 92 'President Speedway' on a 135-inch wheelbase platform. The Series 82 was powered by a 250 cubic-inch L-head inline-8 with nine main bearings, solid valve lifters, and a Stromberg two-barrel carburetor and produced 110 horsepower. The 337 CID inline-8 in the Series 92 produced 132 bhp at 3,400 RPM. All Studebakers received a three-speed synchromesh transmission with floor-mounted gearshift controls and a single dry disc clutch. Vacuum-boosted power mechanical brakes provided the stopping power.

The Series 82 President had similar body styles as its larger sibling, with prices that ranged from $1,325 to $1,490.

The Series 92 President Speedway was the most expensive model in the lineup, with prices that exceeded $2,000. They wore slanted 'vee' radiators, skirted fenders, and beavertail rear ends.

The least expensive Series 92 body style was the State Coupe at $1,730, followed by the State Roadster Convertible and State St. Regal Brougham at $1,790. The five-passenger sedan was priced at $1,685 and the seven-passenger version at $1,835. The two-door state convertible sedan costs $1,960, and the five-passenger state sedan at $1,790. The seven-passenger state sedan listed at $1,940. The most expensive body style was the seven-passenger state limousine at $2,040.

Production (November 1932 to July 1933)

Series 56 Six: 6,861

Series 73 Commander: 3,841

Series 82 President: 1,194

Series 92 President Speedway: 635

1933 and Beyond

Studebaker would continue to use the 'President' name from 1926 until 1942, and from 1955 until the end of the 1958 model year. 1933 was the final year for the 'first generation' of the President, as Studebaker created a new body for 1934 - the Land Cruiser - which was offered on the Dictator, Commander and President. These streamlined models were modern and sleek, with fully fender skirts on the rear of the vehicle and an unusual four-piece rear window. The 1934 Presidents were smaller and less expensive than the 1933 models, but were still fine automobiles.

by Dan Vaughan

Sedan

The President came in two models for 1933 - the President, which was essentially the previous year's Commander, and the Speedway President, which was based on its 1932 namesake. The 'Speedway' name refers to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where Studebaker actively campaigned factory-backed teams in 1932 and 1933. Just over 600 1933 Speedway Presidents were built in all body styles.

The engine is an inline eight-cylinder unit displacing 337 cubic inches and offered 132 horsepower.

The Speedway President was the company's most expensive model in the company's lineup. In the front was a slanting 'V' radiator, and in the back was a Beaver tail rear end. Standard features included double inside sun visors, a Stromberg carburetor, mechanical power brakes, automatic ride control, ball bearing spring shackles, Delco Remy ignition, free-wheeling, and an automatic starter.

Roadster Convertible
Chassis number: 6027783

Studebaker acquired Pierce-Arrow in 1928, and this 1933 Roadster Convertible is a nostalgic nod to the famous Pierce Silver Arrow styling. At a time when the boxy profile of luxury automobiles was losing favor, the exquisite Studebaker was launched, exhibiting voluptuous curves.

This 1933 Studebaker Roadster runs the impressive 337 cubic-inch, straight-eight President engine - the same engine used by Studebaker's Indianapolis 500 race cars. The current owner purchased this car without its original engine, and went in search of one. A seven-year odyssey of research and restoration followed. This car now possesses a correct 1933 President engine and is one of only two remaining authentic examples.

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 named 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.

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 to 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 in 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 resorted to a 'pod' design where the lights bulged out slightly on the sides of the car.

by Dan Vaughan