This 1957 Studebaker Golden Hawk retains its barn find look, but under the skin, it is one healthy car. The next owner could choose to undertake a cosmetic restoration, or they could just choose to drive it as it currently stands. It is located in Hagerstown, Maryland, and has been listed for sale here at Hemmings. The owner has set the price for the Studebaker at $24,500 OBO.
The Golden Hawk wears what appears to be its original coating of Midnight Black and Arctic White paint. The paint itself is looking quite dilapidated, but the good news seems to surround rust. There are plenty of areas of surface corrosion visible on the car, but I don’t see any signs of penetrating rust. The owner makes no mention of rust in the floors, so this might need to be checked. The external chrome and trim is all present, but as with the paint, it is showing its age. The glass looks to be in good condition, including that beautifully curved rear window.
It’s when we delve into the engine bay that we find good news aplenty. The original supercharged 289ci V8 has been pulled, and it has been treated to a full rebuild. It was slotted back in, and with the supercharger working as it should, that engine should be producing something close to its original 275hp. The Golden Hawk was originally equipped with an automatic transmission, but the previous owner swapped this out for a 4-speed manual unit. There is no doubt that this action will have resulted in some noticeable improvements to vehicle performance. The owner says that the car now runs straight and true, and cruises happily on the freeway.
Generally speaking, the interior of the Studebaker doesn’t look to be too bad. The most obvious flaw is the fact that the previous owner didn’t do a great job finishing around where the Hurst shifter for the transmission pokes through the floor. The upholstery on the seats and door trims look good, while the dash pad appears to be free of any cracks. Interestingly, this car was originally fitted with a bench seat, but the previous owner removed that in favor of a pair of buckets out of a Hawk GT. Thankfully, that engine-turned dash is in good condition, as that is one of the highlights of a Golden Hawk interior. According to the owner, everything inside the vehicle is functional, with the exception of the radio.
I have a real soft spot for the Golden Hawk, simply because its release was a brave move by a car company that was in its death throes. In 1957, Studebaker managed to shift 4,356 examples of the car, but this total really hurt when compared to the car’s direct competition. That year, the most obvious competition was provided by the Thunderbird, and Ford managed to sell 21,380 of those. Finding a solid ’57 Golden Hawk is getting more difficult, but this car would seem to prove that it isn’t impossible. When you couple that fact to a recent growth in popularity for this model, I tend to think that this Studebaker might sell pretty quickly.
Here’s a rough diamond for ya’. My favorite car too, ( except the color) Again, and again, why not paint the old gal? I mean, it’s one of the most fantastic cars made, and it looks like a beater. Sure stuck the change in the motor, probably nothing left for the body work, and that’s a shame. The puffer adds value today, but the rest of the car kills it. If I may, in ’57 Studebaker hadn’t entered the “death throes” just yet. The Lark spruced things up a bit, and they still had the truck line. ’60’s was the kiss of death for Studebaker. And watch out for that guillotine hood!!
While I’m not a 50’s cars kind of person I always likes the lines of the Hawk. Real shame the owner spent time rebuilding the engine only to stuff it back into a dingy engine bay. Kind of like taking a shower and putting your dirty underwear back on.
Hi Howard A, thanks for mentioning me in your post ha ha. I love the lines of the 1957 Golden Hawks. Regarding the automatic to manual transmission conversion, either the Owner/Seller did not care or know that a true factory 4-speed transmission was not available in 1957, only a 3-speed manual with overdrive. If I wanted a rare factory 4-speed I would hold out for the right ’61 GH, the first year a true factory 4-speed was made available.
The PO did the best things that can be done: UPGRADING the car with factory bits! The other improvements could be the installation of the FACTORY rear ARB and adjustable shockers available in 62! of course any bits from the R-8 engine (I recall) would also be good I did these to my 56 GH along with the three speed OD box and it transformed the car: It showed it’s tailites to the then new tri year chebbys often! not to mention the T Birds etc. and the then BIG 352 engine weight problem was solved for neutral steering.
Not sure about your reference to R8 motor?
R2 and R3 were the different tunes of SC motor. Also a 56 had the one year only 352 Packard motor not the Supercharged Studebaker.
Not sure about your reference to R8 motor?
R2 and R3 were the different tunes of SC motor. Also a 56 had the one year only 352 Packard motor not the Supercharged Studebaker.
True– not R-8 it’s been a long time since I played with a Stude tho I have a 58 GH and a 62GT with all the options and the 56 had as I said the “big” 352 and the 374 with two 4bbls could be had and SHOULD HAVE BEEN OFFERED AS AN OPTION but typically screwed up and didn’t –like putting the rear anti roll bar in ALL the Hawks–at least either! Management seems to develop this stupidity–think of all the BIG goofs like Sears having once been a family name and now dying! then there’s Kragens that most of us grew up with and POOF! I bought my first part from PEP boys and they’re STILL HERE! Management grows senile I guess!
Seems pricey for one of these. Even with eng work and 4 speed, althought it would be a blast to drive. If you like it and inspection turns out ok, go for it nobody here is getting any younger,good luck to the new owner. If its not rusty and the mill is good, might be worth the coin.
Cheers
GPC
The R-2 (3?) four speed combo should make this one fun to drive! I would prefer the powertrain in a Lark though, still a neat car!
The Hawks were fun cars to drive… surprisingly light, they scooted on down the road quite well. I had a Black ’59 Silver Hawk for many years. It was quick & nimble. If you don’t like talking to strangers, this is NOT the car you want! I’ve never had a car that attracted more attention and I mean young & old alike. Definitely a “kick myself in the butt for selling it” cars!
I really like the looks of this car. Could be a picture from the mid to late 60s when this was just a 10 year old used car.
I remeber when my uncle had one. His was gold and white.Standard shift. He ran the daylights out of it. I like them then and still do today. The price does seem high after a person would put more money and labor into making it look nice. I,d have to look it over really good. People will tell you anything to get your money. I,m working on a 78 bronco now. I,ve replaced alot of worn out parts and have about $7,000 in it and it still needs the paint (a couple of places cut out and replaced and interior work) Its being done right and I,d make sure this car frame and everything was checked out before I paid this amount. Alot of work and money to be put into this car .To make it look sharp again. Buyer beware–look around and you can find nicer ones for alot less
I like threse a lot.
But putting a 4 speed in ruins it for me.
Car is over priced.
Worth about 1/2 asking price
These seem to be crawling out of the wood works lately like the Cosworth Vega and Buick GS did. Apparently people squirrel away certain cars and all decide to pull them out when one or two start to draw attention?
Grand Turesimo Hawk wuz kinda nice, I get all the other Hawks mixed up. One hada Z chrome where the white cove is on this one. I think it had the best powerplant, suspension, etc. Not sure the Hawk model. One went to europe w/a bent 8 (attempt to save the co).
The rust on the rear fender rust might just be in the fender or it could go much deeper. Says blower is functional does not say rebuilt. They will still work even when needing a rebuild. I feel it is way over priced.
Looks tired yet all there. On the interior picture, l ook at the floor at drivers seat ,appears like rust holes.? Just noticing.
There are plenty of museum pieces out there, trailer queens, how many does the world need? So a car like this, make it pretty, and reliable, and own it to drive it. Transmission is gone, so will never be “numbers matching”, so do whatever makes it fun.
You’re making the assumption that upgrading is bad, True, stuffing a Ford engine in the car WOULD kill it’s value but installing the later Studebaker 4 speed and seats shouldn’t–as you said–there’re many concurs Studies so this doesn’t need to retain it’s originality. When I sold My Aston Martin DB-2 with a non original Vantage engine the AMOC said that was very acceptable. Conversely when I sold My MK-VIII Jag that had been in Hitchcock’s VERTIGO and the fool yanked the good original engine, transmission, leather upholstery and wilton carpeting and stuffed a chebby in, he turned a $50,000 car into a $2500 lump.
The Hawk has to be one of the best looking cars ever built.
Period.
Always liked the Hawk. My first car was a ’61 Hawk hand me down from my parents in ’65. My older brother also had a ’61 Hawk at the same time, his was white with red interior, mine was white with black interior. He later had a ’63 GT Hawk white with red interior and a 4 speed. By the time I was a senior in high school, I traded the ’61 for a ’64 Avanti R 1 and my brother was stylin’ with a ’66 Vette coupe with 427 and a 4 speed. Was back in my home town yesterday for a funeral and saw a ’57 or ’58 Golden Hawk in a driveway near my sister’s house. It was white with a gold fin stripe and was a driver needing some love. I could never tell the difference between the ’57 and ’58 Golden Hawk, is there any?