To promote its freshened 1955 lineup—an evolution of the famous design by Bob Bourke with direction from Raymond Loewy that debuted in 1953—Studebaker constructed 14 special President “hardtop” coupes for the auto show circuit. Each was finished in tri-tone paint schemes with leather upholstery and full instrumentation, including an 8,000-rpm tachometer and 160-mph speedometer, mounted in a reinforced plastic dashboard with engine-turned metal fascia. The cars also sported dual exhausts, a wide decorative chrome trim over the rear of the roof, a special hood ornament, fog light “bumperettes,” and chrome wire wheel covers.

Studebaker announced that if response to the unusually sporty coupes was favorable, the design would be put into limited production—and so it was. Launched in January of 1955, the President Speedster came standard with all the above features, as well as power steering and brakes, an automatic or manual transmission with overdrive, a clock, an eight-tube radio, turn signals, triple horns, dual mirrors, and whitewall tires. It was the most lavishly equipped car Studebaker had built in two decades. As it turned out, it was offered only for one year, and just 2,215 were made, largely on account of a price tag approaching Cadillac territory.

The President Speedster offered here is finished in the most iconic color scheme used on the model, known officially as Hialeah Green and Sun Valley Yellow, but long referred to by Studebaker connoisseurs as “Lemon and Lime.” A charming older restoration upgraded with a 12-volt electrical system, it was acquired in 2012 by the Vehicle Vault Collection, where it has been exhibited since. Accompanying are a selection of photographs taken during its restoration, as well as an instruction book and shop manual. At the time of cataloguing, the Speedster’s odometer displayed 4,020 miles.

In an era when Studebaker built some of its most memorable automobiles, the President Speedster surely ranks at the top—especially in “Lemon and Lime,” such as the unforgettable example offered here.