The 1958 Studebaker President, a car often relegated to the shadows of automotive history, has recently been thrust into the spotlight. Eugenia Akhim, a writer for Hotcars.com, argues that the negative reception this car received is unjustified, boldly claiming that the 1958 President was “ahead of its time.” This begs the question: was the 1958 Studebaker President truly a visionary masterpiece or simply an example of misguided design?
The 1958 Studebaker President: A Controversial Design
While beauty is subjective, the 1958 Studebaker President’s aesthetic has been a point of contention since its debut. Akhim argues that the car’s unique look wasn’t “hideous,” but rather possessed a “futuristic aesthetic.” To understand this perspective, we need to delve into the car’s design elements.
1958 Studebaker two-door hardtop side view
The 1958 Studebaker President’s side profile showcased its long body and unique tail fin design, a departure from the era’s conventional styling.
One of the most striking features of the 1958 President was its tail fins. These outward-canting fins, reminiscent of the previous year’s Ford, housed dual-pod taillights in an unusual configuration – one inside the fin and one outside. This design, while distinctive, created a somewhat disharmonious aesthetic.
The front end, like many American cars of the time, featured quad headlights. However, the 1958 Studebaker’s implementation was rather peculiar. The headlights protruded from the bodywork, giving the car an almost bug-eyed appearance. Even Studebaker’s own head designer, Duncan McRae, admitted that the headlight treatment looked “ridiculous,” a clear indication that the company was struggling to keep up with design trends.
Futuristic Features or Design Flaws?
Akhim points to the 1958 President’s speedometer as evidence of its forward-thinking design. The rotating ribbon speedometer, which changed color with the car’s speed, was indeed a novel feature for its time. However, the speedometer’s placement within a rectangular instrument cluster in 1958 arguably made the dashboard look more dated rather than futuristic.
The 1958 Studebaker President’s dashboard featured a unique ribbon speedometer, but its overall design lacked the cohesiveness and sophistication of its competitors.
Compared to the sleek and integrated dashboards found in competing vehicles from Chevrolet and Ford, the 1958 Studebaker’s design felt more like an afterthought.
While the 1958 President might have had a few interesting features, its overall design language lacked the cohesiveness and sophistication to be considered truly futuristic. The car’s proportions, with its tall greenhouse and thick pillars, felt outdated compared to the lower, sleeker, and more integrated designs emerging from other American automakers.
A Closer Look at the 1958 Studebaker President’s Place in History
Akhim’s comparison of the 1958 Studebaker President to the Volkswagen Beetle, while intriguing, feels somewhat misplaced. A more apt comparison would have been to the President’s direct domestic competitors – the top-of-the-line offerings from Chevrolet, Ford, Plymouth, and Rambler.
These competitors boasted more modern styling, larger interiors, and a wider array of engine and transmission options. The 1958 Chevrolet Impala, for instance, offered a stylish hardtop coupe body style, powerful V8 engines, and a luxurious interior that far surpassed the President in terms of design and refinement.
The Chevrolet Impala’s interior, with its wraparound dashboard and more luxurious appointments, exemplified the design trends of the late 1950s, leaving the Studebaker President feeling outdated.
Perhaps the most compelling argument for the 1958 President being “ahead of its time” lies in its size and positioning in the market. The President, while technically a full-size car, was considerably smaller than its Chevrolet and Ford counterparts. In a way, it foreshadowed the trend towards smaller, more efficient luxury cars that emerged in the 1970s with models like the Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme.
However, this argument is ultimately weakened by the fact that the 1958 President lacked the refinement, features, and performance to truly compete with the luxury cars of its time.
The 1958 Studebaker President: A Legacy of What Could Have Been
While the 1958 Studebaker President may not have been the futuristic masterpiece some claim it to be, it remains an interesting footnote in automotive history. Its unique blend of styling cues, innovative features, and flawed execution serves as a reminder that innovation doesn’t always equal success.
The 1958 President represents a pivotal moment for Studebaker, a company desperately trying to stay afloat in an increasingly competitive market. Despite its bold design and innovative features, the 1958 President failed to capture the hearts and minds of American car buyers, ultimately contributing to the company’s demise just a few years later.
Looking Ahead: What Does the Future Hold for Classic Car Enthusiasts?
The debate surrounding the 1958 Studebaker President raises intriguing questions about automotive design, consumer preferences, and the enduring appeal of classic cars. What constitutes a “futuristic” design, and how do those perceptions change over time? What factors contribute to a car’s collectible status, and why are some cars embraced by enthusiasts while others fade into obscurity?
These questions will continue to spark debate and discussion among car enthusiasts for generations to come. As we look to the future of the automotive industry, it’s essential to remember the lessons learned from the past. The story of the 1958 Studebaker President serves as a reminder that even the most innovative and daring designs must resonate with consumers to achieve lasting success.