The President
1937 STUDEBAKER PRESIDENT COUPE
The name President was an apropos choice for Studebaker’s new range topping cars. These were automobiles with a commanding presence; ones that company boss Albert Russel Erskine envisioned would demonstrate Studebaker’s ability to build the finest cars on American roads. First introduced in 1926, the President featured a 354 cubic inch “big six”, but was quickly refined to a smaller but smoother and more modern 312 cubic inch inline-eight cylinder. The more prestigious eight cylinder became synonymous with the President through the rest of its original lifespan – which lasted through 1942 (though revived in 1955, it was a very different car by that time). Studebaker used the President as a showpiece for its engineering and design talents, successfully campaigning the engine in racing and record breaking cars around the world.
Studebakers wore fresh styling for 1937 courtesy of the legendary designer Raymond Loewy, who began his long and fruitful relationship with Studebaker just one year earlier. Interior furnishings were penned by the equally great Helen Dryden, who worked closely with Loewy’s design firm. Dryden was a prolific illustrator and industrial designer contracted by Loewy to help him with styling Studebaker interiors. The involvement of these two famous designers just adds another degree of interest to this already fascinating automobile. Lowey’s signature touch is found all over this magnificent design; from the linear grille, which flows into the hood, the unadorned body sides, and finishing off in a clean rounded tail punctuated by a distinct and extremely cool triangular split rear window.
Approximately 130 President Coupes were produced in 1937, and according to experts within the Studebaker club, only 5 are known to exist.
In the comfortable and well-appointed cabin, you are met with a magnificent Art Deco instrument panel and a rare, period correct banjo steering wheel. One look at the dash is enough to understand why Helen Dryden was the highest paid woman in America in 1937. Her talents created a dash that is worthy of hanging on a museum wall.
Lifting the hood reveals what makes a President a President – the silky smooth 250 cubic-inch L-head inline 8-cylinder engine. The engine is mated to a 3-speed manual transmission with overdrive.
The President
1937 STUDEBAKER PRESIDENT COUPE
The name President was an apropos choice for Studebaker’s new range topping cars. These were automobiles with a commanding presence; ones that company boss Albert Russel Erskine envisioned would demonstrate Studebaker’s ability to build the finest cars on American roads. First introduced in 1926, the President featured a 354 cubic inch “big six”, but was quickly refined to a smaller but smoother and more modern 312 cubic inch inline-eight cylinder. The more prestigious eight cylinder became synonymous with the President through the rest of its original lifespan – which lasted through 1942 (though revived in 1955, it was a very different car by that time). Studebaker used the President as a showpiece for its engineering and design talents, successfully campaigning the engine in racing and record breaking cars around the world.
Studebakers wore fresh styling for 1937 courtesy of the legendary designer Raymond Loewy, who began his long and fruitful relationship with Studebaker just one year earlier. Interior furnishings were penned by the equally great Helen Dryden, who worked closely with Loewy’s design firm. Dryden was a prolific illustrator and industrial designer contracted by Loewy to help him with styling Studebaker interiors. The involvement of these two famous designers just adds another degree of interest to this already fascinating automobile. Lowey’s signature touch is found all over this magnificent design; from the linear grille, which flows into the hood, the unadorned body sides, and finishing off in a clean rounded tail punctuated by a distinct and extremely cool triangular split rear window.
Approximately 130 President Coupes were produced in 1937, and according to experts within the Studebaker club, only 5 are known to exist.
In the comfortable and well-appointed cabin, you are met with a magnificent Art Deco instrument panel and a rare, period correct banjo steering wheel. One look at the dash is enough to understand why Helen Dryden was the highest paid woman in America in 1937. Her talents created a dash that is worthy of hanging on a museum wall.
Lifting the hood reveals what makes a President a President – the silky smooth 250 cubic-inch L-head inline 8-cylinder engine. The engine is mated to a 3-speed manual transmission with overdrive.