1956 Studebaker President

Description

We know you Studebaker guys are passionate about your cars, especially the unusual ones like this 1956 Studebaker President sedan. Wearing fantastic period colors, and a ton of chrome, this cool cruiser is sure to stand out at any car show and provides V8 power to back it up.

As far as we can tell, those are the original colors, Tangerine over Snowcap White, and if you're going to own a car from the 1950s, why not get one with the ultimate '50s color combination? Quite honestly, it works rather well with the somewhat conservative-looking bodywork, and with a great soft gloss, it looks exactly right. All four doors fit well and the gaps line up neatly, so someone invested in getting this car back into shape during the restoration. The Stude's many unique details are a big part of its appeal, many of which have been borrowed by customizers for decades; just check out the peaked taillights, the exhaust pipes poking out through the bumper ends, and the hooded headlights. And no discussion of a '50s car is complete without mentioning the chrome and stainless trim, all of which is in good shape and represents a rather sizeable investment all by itself.

The interior's mix of colors, textures, and materials looks very period-correct and the wide bench seats are a simple contrast to the high-impact bodywork. Black carpets, two-tone door panels, and a few details painted Tangerine highlight the comfortable interior. The cloth upholstery remains in good condition with only light signs of use and age while the back seat looks almost new. The instrument panel is a very cool design with the speedometer perched up high in its own pod and conventional round auxiliary gauges in the dash below; is this the first heads-up display? The original AM radio remains in the dash and while it doesn't play music, it does power up so perhaps a repair will be easy. Seat belts were added during the restoration, always a welcome safety improvement, but otherwise this Stude remains pretty much as the factory intended. As you'd expect, the trunk is truly massive and offers a correct mat, a full-sized spare on a matching fifth wheel, and even a jack assembly.

Studebaker's 289 cubic inch V8 is torquey and smooth in the big President sedan, and while it's not about performance, it moves rather well. The engine bay is very stock, complete with a factory air cleaner assembly, 2-barrel carburetor, and turquoise engine enamel. Little details like the generator, hose clamps, and wiring are factory-spec, lending this Stude a very authentic look under the hood. It starts easily and runs well with a muted V8 soundtrack from the dual exhaust system, and the 3-speed automatic transmission shifts well and generally stays out of the way. Highway-friendly gears in the rear end mean that the President cruises easily at modern speeds without working too hard and the ride is luxury car smooth. 205/70/15 whitewall radials wrapped around color-matched steel wheels and hubcaps add an air of distinction to the big President and complete the '50s look.

This car also includes a lot of Studebaker period literature and a factory build sheet, making it a great addition to any Studebaker lover's collection. Call today!