The Studebaker Hawk, produced between 1956 and 1964, must get the award for the most models derived from a single design. Eight iterations of the sedans and hardtops were offered, though no more than four were fielded during the same year. The seller has a refreshed 1960 Hawk with a V8 engine that we’re told only needs a “few things” completed to have been fully restored over time. Located in Spokane, Washington, this two-tone winged Stude is available here on craigslist for $20,000.
In chronological order, the eight models of the Hawk were: Flight Hawk, Power Hawk, and Sky Hawk (1956), Golden Hawk (1956-58), Silver Hawk (1957-59), Packard Hawk (1958), Hawk (1960-61), and Gran Turismo Hawk (1962-64). Gotta have a scorecard to keep track of the players! Some were sedans, some were hardtops, some had sixes and eights, while others were strictly V8s (with or without superchargers). The end of the line came for the Hawk in 1964 when Studebaker ceased building automobiles in the U.S.
This car may have been in the making for 10 years, as that’s when the white/red paint was applied. And the use of the white doesn’t seem correct to me, as the insides of the fins and trunk lid are white. It has a V8 engine (259 or 289 cubic inches?), which we’re told is freshly rebuilt and paired with an automatic transmission. But the combination runs great, though the seller says a few things are needed for completion (and what would those few things be? Don’t say that without providing a list).
The odometer reading is 300, and it’s broken (maybe that’s one of the to-dos on the list). So, the before and after mileage on the vehicle isn’t reported. The interior looks quite good, but it may be missing a knob or two (that darn list again). If you don’t mind a car that’s one percent away from no longer being a project, would this winged Studebaker fit the bill (BTW, the fins would bow out after 1961)? Thanks to “Curvette” for another tip down memory lane.
When you compare this car’s styling to the offerings from Chevy and Ford in 1960? No wonder poor Studebaker was on the skids. Now? It looks quaint. But I can imagine the salesman back then, cringing when the saw a new Impala drive by.
I don’t know about that. We have a white ‘61 Hawk with wire wheels, wide whites, and red interior. A lady shouted at us at a
Red Light: “That is THE MOST BEAUTIFUL CAR I HAVE EVER SEEN!!!”
So there’s that…
This basic body shell was introduced in ’53 and used for the Champion and Commander too. They definitely got their moneys worth out of that tooling.
I wouldn’t really call the non-hardtop Hawks “Sedans.” They were “coupes” or “post coupes.”
SAfety Hardtop
Had one
I know my memory is poor, but I don’t remember the white fins.
And those yellow valve covers? Ugh!
Yellow valve covers were on ‘62-‘64 Studes (not 1960, they were red), except the high performance engines. They were chrome.
Paint the fins body color if you want it to be complete!
I was once told that the Golden Hawk had “the best engine ever built”. I guess that wasn’t true.
Studebaker had some issues, but in my opinion engines weren’t one of them… The 232 259 289 304 V8s were well built modern design engines. They’re very reliable with strong bottom ends and 5 main bearings; the short stroke design was (is) a good revver, with good torque and, for the time, good economy…😀
Didn’t the 56 Golden Hawk have the bigger Packard engine?
Yes. ‘56 only, and only the Golden Hawk. Packard 352.
I love these cars… but I can’t even hear about one without thinking back to Frank Zappa and The Mothers Of Invention, and listening to “Billy The Mountain” while cruising Van Nuys Blvd.
(you’d have to know the song to understand) 😎
Thanks, Kenny & OldsMan. I always learn something from you guys.
Beautiful looking car. I hope it goes to a good owner. 🙂