24k-Mile 1958 Studebaker Silver Hawk

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I hope I’m not alone when I mention that I have a room in my house devoted to cars. If there’s a physical manifestation of the inside of my brain, it’s my car room: Advertisements hang from the walls with no visible consideration to geometric norms, diecast cars are more or less categorized by brand or genre, books are organized based on where they fit. It’s a neat mess, and within those four walls is a smattering of toy Studebakers, one of which is a white-on-white Golden Hawk. While this 1:1 scale Silver Hawk listed on eBay for $19,000 (or best) is a step down the model lineup from its auric brother, it’s still rare, it’s still beautiful, and it still makes me want a real Studebaker of my own.

This one wouldn’t be a bad choice at all. A dealer is handling the sale and claims that the present owner bought the Hawk from its original owner in 1981, and it has covered a mere 24,022 miles in its lifetime. Thus, it hasn’t traveled far; it’s currently located about 180 miles from its ancestral home of South Bend, Indiana. It’s not a completely original car; the interior has been very nicely redone by a “Studebaker Guy” in Nashville who was able to match the original materials. Perhaps a Studebaker concours judge can verify that for us. The only thing missing inside is the clock, and the seller and owner are on its trail…no luck finding it yet. The column shifted “Flightomatic” chooses gears for you automatically, although you could order an overdrive in addition to the standard three speed if you preferred to accomplish that task on your own.

Under the hood is Studebaker’s trusty 289, with what appears to be a Stromberg two-barrel carburetor. If that’s true, it’s the 210-horsepower version with 300 lb.-ft. of torque – basically the same engine powering Studebakers until the end of South Bend production in late ’63. There’s still plenty of parts support for ’50s and ’60s Studebakers, and the 289 is well-known as a robust powerplant.

Aside from some floor repair on the driver’s side, the car is advertised as solid, with some paint work having been done at some point in the past. It’s represented as a nice driver and not a show car, and the flaws in the paintwork are shown in several closeups in the ad.

There are few cars whose basic bodies lived out as many personas as the ’53 Studebaker, the basis for this Silver Hawk. It was a smooth, vaguely European sedan upon its introduction, a finned glamourmobile as the Silver and Golden Hawks, and an understated, jazzy personal luxury coupe by 1962. Along the way, it also became an economy compact. It’s tough to say which one I prefer (that’s a lie – it’s the GT Hawk), but the Silver Hawk has to be somewhere near the top of the list. This one looks very clean – do you think the price is right?

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Comments

  1. Driveinstile DriveinstileMember

    Great write up Aaron. I’d love to see your “Car Room”. I think I’m jealous. Not only that but now I’ve just added having a Car Room on my Bucket list.
    As for this Studebaker it sure looks great. The floor patch wouldnt scare me away if its done right. And the interior looks great too. It looks like an honest fairly solid Studebaker.

    Like 16
    • David

      Great write up! Thanks! Many car folks I know would have to trade in their wife for a car room.

      Like 1
      • Aaron TothAuthor

        Thank you to both! She’s a keeper. :)

        Like 1
    • Robert Starinsky

      A car room? Sounds like a great name for the home office that I’m putting together in my new home’s basement. I have several hundred die cast to display and lots of Studebaker stuff. Nice write up.

      Like 0
  2. bobhess bobhessMember

    And the beat goes on. Good condition cars for Christmas. While I’m not a fan of the big fins this Studebaker goes back to my ’53 as part of the best looking cars ever built by an American car builder. Also, my “car room”is my garage where you can’t see the walls for the pictures and trophies. I even have parts boxes with Studebaker pictures on them on display.

    Like 14
    • JoeBob

      Bob, I agree with you about the fins, but if your cars didn’t have fins in the late 50s, your cars were out of style. The first car I drove was my mom’s 56 Power Hawk, which was without fins. I believe Studebaker made the update by just bolting the fins onto the original fenders and covered the seams with trim.

      Like 3
    • Fred W

      I would prefer a ’53 or ’54 to my Silver Hawk styling wise, but the 232 V8 (which I experienced in a Conestoga) just doesn’t have the “ooomph” I need. If I ever run across a ’53 or ’54 with a 289 added, might decide to change. Somewhere I have a photo of me sanding one one at age 17!

      Like 1
  3. fred

    I have a ’57 in the garage. Couple of notes 1) interior appears correct and 2) not sure why they are looking for a clock, the vacant space holds a gauge . Price looks fair IF mileage can be confirmed correct

    Like 6
  4. Todd J. Todd J.Member

    I owned a ’57 with the 289, Carter 4-barrel and dual exhausts, a nice runner and conversation-starter. I’m not sure about the mileage claim for the featured car, “back it up or pack it up,” I say.

    Like 9
  5. Terry M

    The 53 coupes were an awesome design, a family friend from Montana had one in Cambell’s tomato soup kinda pink (not sure what Studebaker called the color but that’s how we described it). Mentally we were locked into the Ford/GM/Mopar transfixation and didn’t really consider Studebakers an option until the 56 Hawk, that was a game changer. This appears to be a nice 57 and the fins were trendy at the time and in today’s world take away from the excellent styling of the 56s. If ever have the chance to buy a Hawk will either be a 56 or the Gran Tourismo (62-64) which I lusted over when seeing my first one in the showroom.

    Like 11
    • Russell Smith

      My fav. is the 1950-51 bullet nose Starlite coupe with the Commander V8.

      Like 3
  6. Loving my 'viar!

    “I hope I’m not alone when I mention that I have a room in my house devoted to cars.”

    I completely understand. I have a bookcase devoted to Corvair toys, books, and models…and a ’67 Monza in my garage.

    Like 4
  7. Russell Smith

    Styling was way ahead of the Big Three back then. IMHO, of course.

    Like 4
  8. UDTFROG

    WOW I also have a room for cars including a couple of engines. SAD time though. My book publisher puled quite a scam om me owing me $27K. I’m selling my 1954 Buick Century Withall the goodies , military pension wont allow me to keep it MAN am I bummed may have to sell it for what I owe.

    Like 3
  9. Henry DavisMember

    The “Nashville guy” he talks about is probably Southeast Studebaker, which is actually just outside Knoxville. All they do is Stude interiors, and they are the best! I’ve got a complete new interior for my 62 GT Hawk sitting in my living room, waiting for the paint shop to finish…hope it doesn’t take the 2 yrs it’s taken to get my Nova painted.

    Like 4
    • Poppy

      Rene (probably who was being referred to as the “Nashville guy”), unfortunately passed away a year or so ago. It’s good to know you were able to get your GT Hawk interior from him before he passed. I’m in a similar good situation that I ordered my ’54 Starliner interior long before I was ready for it. He was a great craftsman.

      Like 1
      • Henry DavisMember

        He was indeed a great craftsman. He called me and said he had my interior done except for the seats…he was waiting for me proper material to be manufactured. He also said he didn’t have a pattern for the package tray for 64 GT. I had one, drove to Knoxville (from Spartanburg) and gave it to him. Picked up all the interior except for the seats and tray. He died before he was able to finish.
        Studebaker Intl. now has seat upholstery and package tray. Both look good, but not “Rene-good”!

        Like 1
  10. Kirk D

    Missing gauge is water temp. Nice solid looking car. The coupes such as this benefitted from the extra body pillar and rattled less than the hardtops such as the Golden Hawk. Upholstery looks to be correct. This would be fun car to own.

    Like 4
    • Henry DavisMember

      If one of the folks that check this website were to buy this Stude, I’ve got a 64 GT parts car. If the temp gauges are the same, I’ll give you the one from my junker.

      Like 0
  11. Brakeservo

    Original 24,000 miles? Look closely at the Ebay photos – you can see the paint overspray on the window moldings, the obvious bondo work on the quarter panels and it doesn’t take an expert to look at the underhood photos. While it’s a shame people so blatantly lie about their cars, it’s a good thing they do – now we all know we can’t trust or believe anything this seller says!

    Like 3
    • Kirk D

      The mileage may be correct. Body work and touch up can happen at any time. As far as the under hood view, the car is 67 years old. I see nothing that screams 124k miles.

      Like 3
    • Bunky

      As Kirk D noted, paint and bodywork can occur at any mileage. I’ve had two different friends take delivery of new cars that they ordered, which had paint and body work- and not well executed.
      You may have suspicions, but saying you know someone is lying, and claiming nothing they say can be trusted, is extremely negative, and unsupported. How ‘bout we have pleasant comments/conversations?
      Merry Christmas.

      Like 3
      • Fred W

        Examples can be found by looking no farther than the vintage Chevrolet dealership that was auctioned off a few years back. There were multiple vehicles with zero to 500 miles that had been outside for years and needed all kinds of cosmetic attention.

        Like 1
  12. Billyboy

    My friends father had a 59 or 60, 6 cyl, 3 on a tree. Nice looking car, 2 tone blue I think. Blower always froze up in winter at drive in with dates. Had to get out, pop hood and beat blower motor with snow brush to get it working.
    19k seems wishful.

    Like 3
    • Dave

      I checked late today and it is sold but may have gone for less as offer. Seemed to be worth a somewhat lower price.

      Like 1
  13. Bali Blue 504

    The understated trim on white actually seems more pleasing to me and less flamboyant. Having that interior look this well done helps offset the price IMO.

    Like 3
  14. lou

    page 272 of this months hemmings has 1.5 column of stude parts

    Like 1
    • Henry DavisMember

      Studebaker Intl is the go-to place for parts. They saw the writing on the wall when company headed downhill and bought everything they could by way of factory parts. They have repro parts also, and helpful, friendly folks that know Studes inside and out.

      Like 0
  15. chrlsful

    these all ways remind me of the initial 3 yr valiant. Both shooting for the stars w/the rocket fever, NASA, “Uh-oh they did sputnick !” etc. I see it on the caddy rear & more but these 2 go all out. Another channel (no, not BaT, I swore off them quickly) is featuring a valiant wagon. What an anachronism in today’s world (they gettin back to it? the vette, asian imports?)

    Like 1
  16. Jeff Williams Jeff WilliamsMember

    I like! Prefer my Studies with a SC. A manual would make it more fun to drive.
    At any car show you will be asked plenty of questions.

    Like 1
  17. Annabigbananas

    I remember in the day how long a speedo cable lasted(about 25k miles). Which makes me want to assume no one ever to take the time or money to replace one.

    Like 0
  18. Annabigbananas

    I remember in the day how long a speedo cable lasted(about 25k miles). Which makes me want to assume no one ever took the time or money to replace this one.

    Like 0

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