1928 Studebaker President Limousine

This extraordinary car is thought to be one of just 5 or 6 President 8 Limousines in existence and probably the only one that is in full working condition.

It was one of the last cars bought by collector Gerry Wheeler for his classic and vintage car hire business (weddings, events, etc) and it was in partly restored condition when it came to him.

He completed the restoration, to what is evidently a superb standard.

He sourced a reconditioned gearbox through the Studebaker Club of America, and it was they who alerted him to the car’s exceptional rarity.

We understand that this LHD car first came to the UK in 2008, having spent all of its life up to that point in Canada.

It is in very good condition - aesthetically, mechanically and dynamically - and entirely belies its near century of existence.
 

This fabulous 1928 car is as pretty as a picture from every angle and has defied the inexorable passage of time with truly commendable stoicism and resilience.

It has clearly been well looked-after throughout its life, as only a light restoration was carried out Gerry Wheeler after the car was found to be solid, sound and robust.

The panel and gaps and shut-lines are even and consistent, and the bodywork is devoid of any significant dinks, dents or creases that we can discern.

The warm and inviting cream-over-maroon paintwork is similarly beyond reproach and the finish has plenty of shine and lustre wherever you choose to rest your gaze.

The coach lines are crisp, the door handles gleam.

The black roof is excellent, although some of the paint around the edge has the odd crack and ripple in it.

You’ll find a light scratch here and a minor scuff there, but they’re more notable for their absence than their presence.

We noticed that a little rust is starting to show itself on and around the door hinges.

There are some minor signs of age and wear in places on the bright-work, the bumpers have some spots of tarnishing and foxing that might need a little attention, and the radiator grille has one or two little ripples and crimps to it.  

The wire wheels are in decent fettle, save for a little surface rust on the spares, and the tyres have plenty of tread on them, although the white sidewalls have started to discolour.  

As for the lights, lenses, badging, straps, buckles and other exterior fixtures and fittings, they are all in far better condition than items of their age have any right to be.

The wooden trunk at the rear is decent on the outside, slightly shabbier on the inside, and there’s surface rust present on the buckles. 
 

The rear cabin interior, with its polished dark wood, acres of plush velour upholstery and tasselled silk rope-pulls, has a part-gentlemen’s club, part-boudoir aesthetic.

It is, for the most part, in first-class condition.

The seats are in very good order, including the two pop-up occasional seats ahead of the quilted rear bench.

The brown upholstery is following the same script in terms of quality and condition.

The wood and veneers, although clearly old, have held up well, as have the splendidly Art Deco dials and gauges.

The carpets are good, as are the roof lining, window blinds and pull sashes.

One of the strands of the silk rope beneath the central dividing screen has come loose.

The black leather front bench seat is decent. The matching leather on the front door cards and pockets is scuffed and holed in a few places.

As far as we can tell, the near century-old switches, buttons, knobs, dials and instruments still do what they were designed to do.
 

The engine bay is filled with a clean and gleaming 5.4-litre straight-eight engine that was good for a remarkable 100hp back in the day.

It looks very well preserved and maintained to us and everything appears to be present and correct.

The undersides seem very solid and secure. The suspension arms and linkage look to be in great condition and nothing we’ve seen has given us any cause to doubt the car’s structural or engineering integrity.

We don’t know much about the car’s life in Canada, but we do know that it came to the UK in 2008 and only needed recommissioning and light restoration by its UK owners.

It has spent the few years gently going about its wedding and events business, keeping warm and dry as part of a collection, and generally staying out of trouble.

It comes with various manuals, catalogues, guides and handbooks, a few letters, a recent HPI report and a V5C.
 

This majestic car oozes class and breeding from every metallic pore of its sumptuous body.

Built right in the middle of the Prohibition era, it speaks to time and place like few cars we’ve encountered, and you can almost imagine gangsters dressed like the Ant Hill Mob manning the running boards with their Thompson sub-machine guns.

It is in excellent condition and is a fully functioning, mechanically sorted, eminently useable vehicle.

We like it a great deal.

We are happy to offer this car for auction with an estimate in the range of £12,000 - £16,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays between 10am - 12pm or 2pm - 4pm. To make a booking, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.