Counting '55 President Speedsters

[K-Hawk]

page 46 April 2012 turning wheels 1955 speedster for sale 908-391-0920

[SN-60]

To: K-Hawk,---- Thanks for the tip. I saw that for sale ad, but didn't call (I hate to bother the seller for His car's numbers when I'm really not an interested buyer) but I now see His e-mail address, so I believe
I'll e-mail Him tomorrow for the info and see what happens. Thanks again

[SN-60]

If anyone happens to know the owner(s) of that beautiful tri-tone '55 President Speedster that was shown at the New Zealand National meet, would You please them know about this roster?...Thanks

[SN-60]

Another '55 President Speedster surfaces! Well, sort of. There's a Pro Street '55 Speedster that has just came up on e-bay. (serial #7169064 6HK7-1847). This car was listed in Bob Johannessen's 1993 roster, but with the
exception of a small block Chevy install, it was all stock back then. Originally, it was Pimlico Grey/Coraltone. And the then owner purchased it in 1991.

[CHIEF BLAZE]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1955-...item2ebd6e1b8c

Hi SN 60

You may already have this one. But, duplication is better than no information. Here, on E Bay Studebakers, is a 55 Speedster. Mostly not
Studebaker from the description. But the ID # is 7169064 and that sounds Studebaker to me. Anyway, for whatever use you may have the link above takes you to the E bay listing. Interesting off-salmon color.

Best Regards Chief Blaze

[SN-60]

To: CHIEF BLAZE,----I do have that info, but I really appreciate Your sending it anyway. Like You say, "Duplication is better than no information" Thanks again!

[SN-60]

Just heard from a Gent from Madison, Wisconsin who owns a Pimlico Grey/Coraltone President Speedster. Originally a solid California car, His car has been the subject of an exhaustive restoration. Working with
an area of virgin paint on one of the wheels, it took quite some time to 'nail down' the correct formula for the Pimlico Grey. The fact that He had all the original Stewart Warner Speedster gauges restored to 'as new'
condition tells Me this must be some car. Unfortunately, He can't get the car to the South Bend Meet this year. He's sending Me His car's numbers for the roster.

[5brown1]

I read somewhere that there were only about 10 single color speedsters produced and all were black. Assuming that is correct, anyone know what the interior color was for those cars?

Hey! I just noticed that I am a "Speedster Member" now. I have also found that being one is somewhat costly.

[BobPalma]

I read somewhere that there were only about 10 single color speedsters produced and all were black. Assuming that is correct, anyone know what the interior color was for those cars?

Steve: Dick Quinn's September 1998 Turning Wheels Speedster report confirms that only 13 Speedsters were painted a solid color (monotone). All 13 were solid black.

However, Dick also reviewed 5 of the 7 experimental or unknown Speedsters, which were known to be multi-colored.

That leaves two unaccounted for, so there is a possibility that 15 Speedsters were monotone, and either or both of the "other" two could have been a color other than black, but that simply isn't known....or they could have been multi-colored, as were the five experimental color combinations that are known! BP

[SN-60]

To 5brown1,----- The thirteen all black Speedsters would have the white leather seats and headliner, with Pimlico Grey door panel trim. As these thirteen seem to have been somewhat spread out in production from spring '55

to the end of the model year, earlier cars came with red carpeting and later production cars had grey carpeting installed. As far as I know, all thirteen Velvet Black President Speedsters were specially ordered, as black (or

any other solid color) was never listed as an option.

[SN-60]

Beautiful '55 President Speedster just listed on e-bay out of Chicago. This vehicle (serial#7161565 6HK7 954) was listed by Bob Johannessen in His 1993 roster. It was owned by a Gent from Ohio at that time,
who found it stored away in a barn for twenty years.

[SN-60]

Of the fourteen 1955 President Speedster Factory Showcars, two are known to still exist. (so far!) I spoke with the owner of car#2 last month, a Gent from Canada. Last night I had the pleasure of speaking with the
owner of the other, (car#5). This Speedster, which He's owned since 1984, is in final stages of a full 'body off' restoration. It's with Rene Harger now for final interior work. The owner wisely bought all the NOS pieces
He could find back when He bought the car, and most all the parts that needed replacement during the retoration process are original Studebaker NOS items! This Speedster's serial # is 7150005 6HK5-5. All 14
Showcars were designated 6HK5 on their cowl tags (as opposed to normal production models 6HK7 designation). The owner feels these Showcars actually started life as 1954 Commander Hardtops, and were converted
by hand into 1955 President Speedsters. He told Me that under the 'Butterknife' 1/4 panel moulding, He found the two factory holes used for mounting the '54 V8 1/4 panel emblem! The 'Speedster' nameplate on the
butterknife is obviously hand fabricated, and the door trim panels and armrests were all leather. (Leather used only on seats in production models). The President engine, original to the car, is engine number eight... (P-108).

[cdevan]

Summer fun and the Speedster

It's that time of the year to load up the ice chest, picnic basket, blanket and enjoy the weather. What better way than in your '55 Speedster.

[SN-60]

I recieved a call the other day asking about the hand fabricated 'SPEEDSTER' nameplates on the 1/4 panel side mouldings of President Speedster #7100005, one of the original fourteen factory showcars.
As described by the car's owner, the outer edges of these pre-production nameplates are a bit uneven. Also, the normally open loops of the letters p,e,e,d, and small s, as found on regular production
SPEEDSTER' nameplates, are solid, fully closed blanks on the prototype nameplates.

[HAWK64]

To: HAWK64,---- Thanks for sending the info on this Speedster. The car was not listed on Bob Johannessen's 1993 list, nor My newer list, so I'll add it. (Adding 7808022 (LA) 6HK71672). My numbers jump from 7807943 6HK71652 to
7808088 6HK71708. By the way, I really like Your '64 GT Hawk. Beautiful color. And I understand You actually helped assemble the car when new!! How many people can say THAT about the cars they own? Take care

To SN-60. I just sent a copy to the owner, Phil Smith, of the Speedster article written by Dick Quinn back in Sept 1998 in the Almanac column of Turning Wheels. Phil rang & thanked me at the same time querying the lower serial numbers listed by Dick in his paint colors box starting 7150001 to 7170667 inclusive. Phil's is 7808022. I could not give him an answer so I went through all the postings on your thread & found mention of 21 Speedster serial numbers starting 715**** to 716**** plus 16 starting 780****. Do you have an answer where these higher list of numbers fit into Dick's color listing? Thanks, Jim.