Studebaker President
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The Studebaker President was the premier automobile model manufactured by the Studebaker Corporation of South Bend, Indiana (USA) during the 1927 to 1942 model years. The nameplate was reintroduced in 1955 and used until the end of the 1958 model when the name was retired.
Previously to 1927, Studebaker’s premium model was the Studebaker Big Six. The first automobile bearing the name President was unveiled on July 23, 1926, and was designated as the ES model in internal Studebaker memos. Albert R. Erskine, Studebaker’s president and CEO spared no expense in funding the President; his intent was to make the President the finest automobile on the American road. Presidents produced from 1928 to 1933 established land speed records, some of which went unbroken for ten or more years. In 1932, Studebaker introduced "Ovaloid" headlights which were oblong in shape and made identification of the President easier. Presidents manufactured in this era were considered on par with other, more exclusive marques such as Cadillac, Packard and Chrysler’s Imperial model range.
For 1934, Studebaker began the process of streamlining its vehicles. The company issued a new body, the Land Cruiser, which became a trim level for the Dictator, Commander and President. The Land Cruiser models were easily identified by their extreme streamlining features, trunk and the full fender skirts on the rear of the vehicle.
For 1935, Presidents (and Commanders) offered an optional a steel sliding roof similar to sunroofs common on vehicles today. Also for 1936, all Studebaker cars featured the "Startix" suspension system. Vehicles manufactured after 1937 also showed the influence of industrial designer Raymond Loewy, who was hired as Studebaker’s design consultant.
In 1937 Studebaker made its Hill-Holder clutch (an anti-rollback system) standard on the President; the company also offered a semi-automatic "Miracle-Shift" transmission which featured a dashboard-mounted shifter. The unit was discontinued in 1939 when the transmission shift lever moved to the steering wheel column.
For 1941, the President received a premium trim level; once optioned, the vehicle was designated the Skyway President, which is most easily recognized by full fender skirts that covered the car's rear wheels. This option continued for the shortened 1942 model, after which the President was discontinued. The Skyway designation was however used for shortened 1946 Studebaker Champions.
Studebaker reintroduced the President nameplate in 1955 when it was applied to all premium trimmed vehicles. The most noteworthy of these later Presidents was the 1955 Studebaker Speedster. The name was discontinued after the 1958 model year, when Studebaker began focusing on the compact Studebaker Lark.
[edit] Classic car status
According to the Classic Car Club of America which is regarded as the American authority on granting "classic car" status, recognizes the 38,403 Studebaker Presidents produced in 1928 (8-cylinder engined FA & FB models only) and between 1929 and 1933 as a “Classic Car”.
[edit] Sources
Maloney, James H. Studebaker Cars, Crestline Books, 1994, ISBN 0-87938-884-6
