Counting '55 President Speedsters

[SN-60]

To: Don Kelstrom,----- Thanks for taking the time to send this information Don. Your President Speedster, #7807410 is indeed listed in the 1993 Roster. The body tag # should be 6HK7-1291. At the time,
it was owned by Mr. Kellogg, who purchased it on 3/17/86. In 1993 it had approx. 83,000 miles under it's belt! I do not have a '55 Speedster listed under the name 'Hallett' though. Is there any chance that
You could mention this Roster to Mr Hallett? Perhaps He could send in His vehicle's numbers.

[8E45E]

I don't know if you have this one on your list or not. Of all the Speedster photos I have, its the only one I've ever taken showing the body number:







Craig

[SN-60]

To:8E45E,----------Thanks for posting the info, and those really spectacular photos, of this Pimlico Grey/Shasta White President Speedster. This car is indeed listed in Bob Johannessen's 1993 Roster. It is serial#7168507. The Owner
of the car, (in 1993), purchased it in 1973. It's fully restored. Like My own Speedster, during production a somewhat rare 'SPEEDSTER' Streamer was installed on it. Take care

[BobPalma]

OK, everyone, here is what I've been able to glean about the cars no longer in the open area north of Bloomington IN where all the trash remains; photos in my several posts earlier.

This in from Bloomington SDCer Tim Lloyd. Tim is primarily into Hudsons as his Uncle (last name Hansen, IIRC) was the Hudson dealer in Bloomington IN in the early 50s, jumping ship to Pontiac circa 1953/1954. "Christmasy" picture of Tim and grandkids late last year:



I will refer to the subject used-car dealer as DTD; Dick The Dealer. Tim had many experiences with DTD through the years and from what I gather, would have little argument of my assessment as to DTD's personality and such -ahem- described at the end of Post #37 in this thread...<GGG>

Tim says:

1. DTD is still alive and owns I believe about a half dozen Studebakers. I know there is a large teens or twenties touring car, a Speedster, and a 62 GT they purchased new. It may be that all were purchased new by family members. DTD's family came about their money by being in the Limestone business, allowing him to play and rarely sell cars. [Limestone quarrying is a big industry in that part of Indiana, especially south of Bloomington in Bedford. When you hear of "Indiana Limestone," that's where it came from.]

2. All the cars in your pictures are, of course, now gone.

3. I know the black and white 56 I believe went to someone in the northern part of the state who was going to put it back on the road.

4. The green one [56J] did get back on the road here in Bloomington for a short time.

5. The 300D was sold on ebay for a stupid number. Maybe near six thousand...

Tim had a lot more to say about DTD and experiences, but lacking his permission to repeat same, I'll not do so! If I hear back from him on that, I'll post more later.

His reply didn't mention the black and white overdrive Speedster, so I replied, asking specifically about that. Tim added:

Bob,

Maybe that was the car the made it to northern Indiana. IIRC, which I might not...

The more I thought about it the more I think it was though. I'm pretty sure DTD still has at least one Speedster too.

The cars he has are all very nice.

Tim

Bottom Line: If anyone in the northern part of Indiana knows of a black & white '56 Golden Hawk OR a black & white Speedster that arrived maybe three years ago from down south in Bloomington, DTD's cleared-out junk stash is where it came from. (And if you do and are reading this, please post a follow-up so we know the dispostition of either the B&W 56J or B&W overdrive Speedster. Thanks.)

That's all for now. More later if something surfaces or Tim digs up more information. BP

[SN-60]

If the Studebaker Drivers Club ever needs the services of a private investigator, (Like Philip Marlow or Mike Hammer), I would like to hereby nominate Bob Palma. Nice follow-up Bob!!

[8E45E]

To: Bob Palma,------ Your costing Me money Bob! I went through a box of kleenex reading You LAST post (Overdrive Speedster). Now I have to run out and buy another one!! Seriously , I don't know how rusty the twin '56 Golden Hawks
were, but in the photo they really don't look bad at all. Gee--crushed??? WHERE'S THAT BOX OF KLEENEX???...and the Chrysler 300? I have to go now Bob, I can no longer see the keyboard.----Sad in Massachusetts

I think Bob owes you a couple of boxes of Kleenex now....

Craig

[BobPalma]

I think Bob owes you a couple of boxes of Kleenex now.... Craig

Hey, Craig; I offered to send Ed some cents-off coupons I had! <GGG> BP

[SN-60]

Another LA (Vernon) Speedster for sale on e-bay. (7808352 6HK7-1785). Looks to be all there and 'yard' driveable. Certainly much worse examples have been 'brought back'. Considering everything involved, a
President Speedster is definitely one of the more expensive restoration projects a Studebaker enthusiast can take on. This car, in the original black/white/black color scheme, would be quite striking though!
This Speedster falls between Roster #'s 7808335 6HK7-1782 and 7808357 6HK7-?, which is also a black/white/black car.

[stall]

Hi Welcome, I'm assuming that your list of updates to the 1993 Johannsson list includes the latest owner. I actually own Bob's car (Black-white-Black and std. w/OD) If thats the case let me know and I'll send you my info for your list. At the end of this exercise would it be possible to see the list?
Regards, Murray

Just PM'd you with that Speedster owner's info. You can take it from there!

[SN-60]

To: stall,----Hi Murray, Yes, Your President Speedster is listed in the roster index (serial#7170147 6HK7-2062 Final Assy-9/12/55). A complete list will definitely be made available. New #'s are still being posted by Forum readers,
and the Editors of 'Turning Wheels' will run an ad about this in possibly the very next issue, so I'm guessing that it wouldn't be till July-August before You'd see a somewhat accurate accounting of what's 'out there'. (Also, there's a
fellow named Eric West who has been collecting data, and I hope to eventually, (that means soon), merge the material. Take care of Your beautiful Speedster!

[8E45E]

Are you able to help this person locate his as of yet?

http://forum.studebakerdriversclub.c...ht=thunderbird

Craig

[SN-60]

To: 8E45E,---- Craig, It would be nice to have that particular Speedster surface, but it hasn't as yet. Not that it has any real bearing on this car's existence, but the President Speedster that was built three units before, (6HK7-1131), is
listed in the index and definitely still exists, and the Speedster built directly after the car in question, (6HK7-1135), is in the index and definitely still exists. So one never knows.... (THE SPEEDSTER WE'RE LOOKING FOR IS #7162908 6HK7-1134)-
Hialeah Green / SunValley Yellow. Any info on that particular Speedster, or leads on any stored away / abandoned '55 President Speedsters would be much appreciated. Thanks!

[SN-60]

Hello all!, The response to this thread has been excellent, however, not every Studebaker enthusiast browses this Forum. (I didn't up to about eight months ago). So I've requested the Editors of
'Turning Wheels' to run an ad mentioning this updated roster. I believe the ad will start in the May issue, and hopefully will help produce a more accurate accounting of these very special Studebakers!

[Welcome]

>>>So I've requested the Editors of 'Turning Wheels' to run an ad mentioning this updated roster. I believe the ad will start in the May issue, and hopefully will help produce a more accurate accounting of these very special Studebakers!

Kool idea!!! Thanks for stepping up!

[SN-60]

To: Welcome,......Thanks,......It should be interesting!