Studebaker President

Studebaker President
1931 Studebaker President Series 90X Eight 7-Passenger Sedan
Overview
Manufacturer	Studebaker
Production	1926-1942 1955-1958
Assembly	South Bend, Indiana
Body and chassis
Class	Full-size (1926-1942) Compact (1955-58)
Layout	FR layout
Chronology
Predecessor	Studebaker Big Six (1926)
Successor	Studebaker Lark (1958)

First generation
1931 Studebaker President four seasons roadster
Overview
Production	1926-1933
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door roadster 4-door sedan
Powertrain
Engine	354 cu in (5,800 cc) I6 312.5 cu in (5,121 cc) I8

Second generation
1940 Studebaker President Club Sedan
Overview
Production	1934-1940
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door roadster 2-door sedan 4-door sedan

Fourth generation
1956 Studebaker President 4-Door Sedan
Overview
Production	1955-1958
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door sedan 4-door sedan 2-door coupe 2-door hardtop 2-door station wagon 4-door station wagon
Related	Studebaker Scotsman
Dimensions
Wheelbase	120.5 inches

The Studebaker President was the premier automobile model manufactured by the Studebaker Corporation of South Bend, Indiana (US) from 1926-1942. The nameplate was reintroduced in 1955 and used until the end of the 1958 model when the name was retired.

Prior to mid-1926, Studebaker’s premium model was the Studebaker Big Six. The first automobile bearing the name President was unveiled on July 23, 1926, designated as the ES model in internal Studebaker memos. It was powered by a 354 cu in (5,800 cc) six-cylinder engine until the appearance in January 1928 of the smaller and smoother straight-eight engine of 312.5 cu in (5,121 cc).Albert Russel Erskine, Studebaker’s president, spared no expense in his goal of making the President the finest automobile on the American road. Presidents produced from 1928-1933 established land speed records, some of which went unbroken for 35 years.

The primary advances of the 1931 engine was the increase in displacement to 337 cu in (5,520 cc) and the crankshaft was drilled for oil passage to each of its nine large main bearings. At this time, the straight-eight engines of many other firms had only five bearings; connecting the crank throws of every pair of cylinders between said bearings, their crankshafts had a heavy diagonal beam to take the stress, and the lubrication of the bearings was not as effective. Other advances for performance were that the valves had spring dampers and the muffler was a straight-through type. With these improvements the engine achieved 122 hp (91 kW). It also had modern filters for air, oil, and fuel, an improved thermostat, and a Lanchester vibration damper.

In 1931, Studebaker introduced "Ovaloid" headlights which were oblong in shape and made identification of the President and other "senior" Studebaker models easier. Presidents manufactured in this era were considered to rival more expensive marques such as Cadillac, Packard, Lincoln, and Chrysler’s Imperial model range. Studebaker went into receivership during 1933-34, Albert Erskine committed suicide, and the era of the big, impressive President came to an abrupt end.