Speedster 1955 exported

[Olivier]

I know that 81 Speedster were sold outside USA but I wonder how many were sold in Europa and North Africa . Does anybody know where I could find these infos ?
Also I would be pleased to be contacted by european Speedster owners and even by somebody wanting to sell a Speedster sold new Europe.
I am a french Studebaker owner (Golden Hawk 1958, Daytona 64 convertible, Commander Starliner 1955).
Any help will be greatly appreciated.

[warrlaw1]

Greetings, Olivier. There are some very dedicated historians in the club that might just be able to help. There is a Speedster registry, as well. I'm sort of partial to those Commander "Starliners". After 54 I think they were just called Hardtops, but a rose by any other name is still a rose. Cheers.

[Swiss-Goldenhawk]

Welcome here, Olivier

You have a nice collection then. Here in Switzerland I know of one or two Studebaker Speedsters 1955.

Regards

Rudy

[8E45E]

I am a french Studebaker owner (Golden Hawk 1958, Daytona 64 convertible, Commander Starliner 1955).
Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Your answer may be here: http://forum.studebakerdriversclub.c...eedster+france ; but no idea if those three were sold new there.

Did you attend this meet by chance? http://forum.studebakerdriversclub.c...n-France-today

Craig

[55studeman]

Olivier,
Here's some info you asked for
FACTORY EXPORT SHIPPED SPEEDSTERS, way back in 1955...who knows where they are now.

Africa 5 (3 Morocco, 1 Egypt, 1 Congo)

Asia 1 (japan)

Europe 52 (10 Paris, France, 31 Switzerland *winning country for most exported Speedsters, 4 Portugal)

N. America 15 (Most to Canada)

S. America 7 (6 to Venezeula)

Unknown 1

Please send me message for any known European Speedsters to add to registry (include picture if possible). Thanks.

(This info and much more will be put up on Speedster website in the next year or so -long, long, long project).

[avantilover]

There are some in Australia, including one converted to RHD just before the owner died.

[Swiss-Goldenhawk]

Wow, didn't know that Switzerland imported that many Speedsters.

Cool facts.

[warrlaw1]

The Swiss have excellent taste. Took the North Americans a little longer to warm to the "European" styling of the coupes.

[8E45E]

N. America 15 (Most to Canada)

I suspect a good many of those 15 went to Cuba.

Craig

[Swiss-Goldenhawk]

Here in Switzerland a lot of people love Studebakers. At most big shows there is at least one.

[warrlaw1]

Well, Craig, I know at least 2 that stayed in Canada. There was no embargo on Cuba in 55. It started after 1958. If they were produced after the embargo, I'm sure we be smoking a lot better cigar

[SN-60]

One of the nicest Hialeah Green/Sun Valley Yellow '55 Speedsters on the planet was owned by a fellow from Laterriere, Quebec, Canada (serial # 7154514...6HK7 52) but it was subsequently sold to a fellow from Switzerland. These cars sure get around!

[8E45E]

Well, Craig, I know at least 2 that stayed in Canada. There was no embargo on Cuba in 55. It started after 1958. If they were produced after the embargo, I'm sure we be smoking a lot better cigar

There were MORE '58 Packard Hawks sold in Cuba than in Canada. (5 in Cuba vs. 3 in Canada)

Craig

[55studeman]

I suspect a good many of those 15 went to Cuba.

Craig

Since you asked, here's breakdown:
N. America: 15 total Speedsters
12 to Canada
2 to Cuba
1 to Guam

[8E45E]

Thanks for the info, though I figured there would be more than just two that went to Cuba. There were a number of affluent households on that island who would have bought fancier model like a Speedster at the time. Of course that all changed in 1959.

It would be interesting to know the destinations of those 12 Speedsters that came to Canada.

Craig