1955 Studebaker Speedster

Personal luxury powered by 1955 Studebaker President Speedster 259-cid V8.

Exact-year stock-presenting view retained for body, trim, glazing, lamp, bumper, and wheel context; restoration details remain specific to the photographed car.

Model President Speedster 6H-K7

Body Two-door five-passenger hardtop

Engine 259.2-cid four-barrel V8

Output 185 gross hp and 258 lb-ft

Reported production 2,215

Story

1955 Studebaker President Speedster

The President Speedster was Studebaker's limited-production 1955 hardtop, combining the low-roof coupe body with a four-barrel V8, full instruments, leather trim, and distinctive finish. This page separates those factory features from equipment that can be added to another President.

Engine and transmission

The 259.2-cubic-inch V8 was rated at 185 gross horsepower and 258 lb-ft with Carter WCFB four-barrel induction. Three-speed manual, overdrive, and Automatic Drive paths require their matching controls, axle ratio, cooling, dates, and records.

Chassis and cabin

Independent coil-spring front suspension, a leaf-sprung live rear axle, and four-wheel drums supported the hardtop. The engine-turned panel, 160-mph speedometer, 8,000-rpm tachometer, leather seating, paint, brightwork, wheels, and accessories remain model- and build-specific.

Identity

Start with the 6H-K7 model identity, serial, body, title, and ownership history. Then reconcile the engine, transmission, axle, chassis, protected finish, instruments, upholstery, and dated components. Trim or appearance alone cannot convert a President hardtop into a Speedster.

**Exact-year stock-presenting view retained for body, trim, glazing, lamp, bumper, and wheel context; restoration details remain specific to the photographed car.**Rex Gray via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0

Price history

Values

Nominal dollars from original price sheets, auction archives, and approved value references.

Original Price

A verified original price is not yet available for this car.

Values move with paperwork, originality, options, condition, venue, and body style. High bids and guide values are labeled separately from completed sales.

Reference records

Options, Colors & Components

Source-backed details for trim, chassis, production, and authenticity.

Engine Details

259 V8 259.2 cu in; four-barrel; 185 gross hp; 258 lb-ft · 1955 President Speedster · engine assembly / specification
Carter WCFB induction Four-barrel carburetor, intake, linkage, air cleaner, and calibration · 1955 President Speedster 259 · carburetor / specification

Transmission

Factory transmission Three-speed manual
Factory transmission Three-speed manual with overdrive
Factory transmission Automatic Drive

Options

Engines and Induction summarized from reviewed factory and marque references.Classic Muscle · Reference illustration

OVERDRIVE Manual transmission with overdrive factory · performance · Gearbox, control, axle ratio, and dates must agree.
AUTOMATIC-DRIVE Automatic Drive factory · comfort · Transmission, controls, cooling, and axle ratio are configuration-specific.
POWER-STEERING Power steering factory · comfort · Factory equipment and surviving hardware require inspection.
POWER-BRAKES Power brake assist factory · safety · Assist hardware does not imply a different drum-brake system.
DUAL-EXHAUST Dual exhaust factory · performance · Manifolds, pipes, routing, hangers, and records must agree.

Production

Transmissions summarized from reviewed factory and marque references.Classic Muscle · Reference illustration

1955 Studebaker President Speedster model 6H-K7 total · 2,215 · reported

Authenticity

Rear Axle and Ratios summarized from reviewed factory and marque references.Classic Muscle · Reference illustration

Model-year identity 1955 President Speedster model 6H-K7 serial and body identity consistent with the hardtop shell, engine, instruments, trim, and production date · VIN or serial plate, body or trim plate, chassis, title, build records, and ownership history · fraud detection
Engine and transmission Configuration-correct engine, induction, transmission, controls, stampings, castings, and dates · Engine, induction, gearbox, shifter, pedals, stamp pads, castings, dates, and records · numbers matching
Axle, brakes, and suspension Application-correct axle, ratio, brake system, steering, springs, links, and dampers · Axle housing and carrier, brakes, steering, suspension, dates, service records, and build evidence · date correctness
Paint, exterior trim, and cabin Plate- and record-supported finish, moldings, badges, wheels, upholstery, instruments, and controls · Body and trim plates, protected paint, upholstery, hardware, dashboard, and restoration records · trim correctness

Still Researching

production Public summaries differ in how plant and export figures overlap and do not provide a complete engine, transmission, paint, trim, option, destination, or survivor ledger.
paint colors Reviewed references establish representative factory colors but not a complete body, trim, stripe, special-order, plant, and build-date compatibility matrix.
interior Broad cabin equipment is documented, but the complete upholstery color, material, body, option, and production-date matrix is not publicly reconciled.
authenticity markers Public model references cannot prove one survivor's born-with shell, drivetrain, chassis components, paint, trim, options, or component dates.