Yes, it’s confusing and I’m confused. The listing tells us that this car is a 1954 Studebaker Commander, but then elaborates further and states that it’s a Golden Hawk with a Commander front clip substituted for the original piece. The side trim does, in fact, resemble that of a Golden Hawk, but that exalted model was produced from ’56 to ’58 – there was no ’54 version. And that’s not all…there’s more to this story, so stay tuned. Looking very out of sorts in Lansing, Michigan, this Stude is available here on eBay for $2,000, OBO.
The obvious go-to in this case should be the VIN, but according to the Studebaker Drivers’ Club forum, the seven-digit number (6032580) is meaningless unless you have a build sheet. So, as stated earlier, we know the Golden Hawk was produced between ’56 and ’58, while the post-war Commander name-badge had a long career run adorning models produced between 1947 and 1966. The taillights look like those employed on the ’56 Golden Hawk, but considering this car may have a 1954 Commander clip affixed to its front, that could be the reason and the confusion behind the 1954 model year designation. One thing obvious about that Commander grille is the lack of “teeth”. Beyond that, the exterior is a mess. The off-putting pea green finish, what’s left of it is marred by Liberian tanker style streaming rust, as well as rot and perhaps some poorly applied Bondo. Note the six-spoke rear wheels – where have I seen those before?
OK, let’s now really mix it up! Under the hood is one of at least 110 million Chevrolet small-block V8 engines produced over the years. Which one of the multitude of permutations available is not stated. And it doesn’t matter as it’s mostly apart and missing some critical components – it appears to be in boat anchor status now. The seller adds, “Transmission and Hurst shifter were stolen while it was in a storage lot.”
The blue bucket seat interior (with a green exterior?) may be one of the worst environments I’ve ever spied -it’s just a disaster. The upholstery and door panels are gone, and there’s so much undescribable detritus littering the floor that the pan condition is unclear. It would likely need to be gutted entirely before any restoration attempt could be undertaken.
The seller concludes the listing with, “Obviously, it will need to be towed,” which could be the understatement of the year! Assuming that the guts of this car are a 1956 Golden Hawk, it would be one of only 4K produced and quite a find. In this deleterious condition, well, I’d be concerned about having it parked on the street on trash pickup day – that might be the end of it! What do you think, slavageable or fuggetaboutit?
Ouch! Anyone looking to mess with this mess would likely want to get paid to haul it away. Anyway, I wish I could mess with it. Love that front end on whatever the backend is.
It’s a Golden Hawk with a earlier Commander front end…..pretty much what most did to the hardtops 1955 up….
Now hold on you young Whippersnappers! Quit Pickin on MY car! ANYONE can see it’s already been picked and kicked around. Lord sakes! Someone SAVE it! Yours Truly, STU D. BAKER. 😉
From reading this car’s write up….I guess the owner is trying to make a quick buck selling it!! Maybe, literally a buck ….instead of junking it…..lol From the pics in this write up the car looks a mess. Why can’t sellers take time to clean up their cars? It makes me wonder if they hiding the fact that the cars are really alot worse then the pics appear it as. Also why sellers not make effort to give all details of what it is or whats been changed. As with this car. without details….I get impression the changes were a butchered up attempt that failed….not a start to cool customized car to what they started with…….Sorry, messy pics and lack of details make me wonder what much bigger, unknown problems a buyer would get stuck with.
It’s kind of cool and kind of a disaster all rolled into one. If I Was 16 again instead of 70 and had a garage to work on it I might have tried taking it on.
There is some value in the sheet metal from cowling to the rear. And I’m sure the chrome would be useful. Granted the car is a mess however anyone looking for parts for their Golden Hawk restoration maybe interested. I would flash $1k under the sellers nose and I’m sure they would take it. If parted out you could recover that $1k investment and then some. This thing may be a mess but there is still some value here to the Studebaker community.
Crush it and get it out of everyone’s sight. Nobody should have to look at that!
Lansing, Michigan….to paraphrase, the buckle on the rust belt (C.K. Hornbeck aka H.L. Mencken – “Inherit The Wind”).
What would be the reason for attaching a 1956 Golden Hawk body, to a 1953 Studebaker front hood/fenders and grill.
The 1953 Studebaker Coupe is my all time favorite vintage car, save the front end,and frame/suspension parts, take the time to find a 1553-54 body/interior. If your spending money and time at least build something attractive.
The 1953-54 Studebaker cars were raced extensively at Bonniville, and other dry lakes,they set many speed records,mostly due to the aerodymic
body on the car,and a big 400 cubic inch engine, I know because I owned a 1955 Packard 400 coupe, they were bought by Studebaker, engine had loads of torque and torque is what wins drag,and stop light races.
Really enjoyed those times !
Packard never had 400 cubic inch V8. 374 was as big as it got but the ’56 Golden Hawk used the 352. The 400 in the name of the Packard 400 is not referring to the engine size.
You may be one of the few people who don’t consider the 1953 Starliner front clip one of the most elegant, European-inspired designs of the 1950s era. I mean, c’mon, it came from Raymond Loewy’s pen! What came after is what hurt most of our eyes.
Actually I think that Bob Bourke penned the 53-54 Starliner with Loewy getting credit.
In this case, if all you have is a 56 body and you have a 53-54 front clip, I’d do it too. Wouldn’t put an SBC in it though.
Eric, you are correct about Bourke.
As for the front clip, the fenders are the same for the C & K 2-door cars, so they can remain, but the Hawk hood is different, and since it’s a one year only hood [hood scoop is different from the 1957-61 hoods] good ones are VERY hard to find.
Important note about Studebaker front clips from 1953 thru 1955: The 4-door front ends are shorter, and they cannot interchange with the coupes. This is also why the sedans look “frumpier” than the sleeker coupe and hardtop models.
No Packard bought Studebaker ! and the biggest parkard engine was a 374ci.with an optional dual quad setup equaled 310 HP might have been under rated tho,,like Stude did with the R3 engine.
What a real mess. I’d offer 500 at most. Granted there are nice stud parts on it and the golden hawk chassis … but what a mess to have to tow away & cleanup just to get to parting it out.
I too love those 53-54 bonneville/dry lakes cars! And would love to have one, but not this mess.
Just an obversation from an old man of 83 years. The 1956 Golden and Silver Hawk had tail fins that curved slightly out, while these are straight up, with a fake inlet at the front which were never on a Studebaker. These must have been grafted on from some other car, but I can’t think of any car with these tail fins.
The fins on the ’56 Golden Hawk did not curve out and were different from the ’57-up fins, which were slightly angled. The straight-up fins on this car, the remains of the “check mark” side trim and the chrome trim around the rear window indicate ’56 Golden Hawk.
Memory fails you, Boyd. All Hawks had the metal curved fins from 1957 thru 1961 . . . . . but the 1956 Golden Hawk (only) had the stubby fiberglass fins with the fake inlet at the front. This is a 1956 Golden Hawk with a ’53 or ’54 front clip (can’t tell as the grill inserts have been removed). Who knows if it was owners choice, wrecked or the original front fenders rusted off. It was born with a Packard 352 engine. If it were a 100% mint example, it could be worth $35 to $50,000. As is, not much and few parts rare enough to bring much, other than the little fins which are unique to that year & model (they didn’t make a Silver Hawk in ’56: the line-up was Golden Hawk (pillar less coupe with fins and Packard 352)…..Sky Hawk (pillar less coupe with no fins and Stude 289)……Power Hawk (pillared coupe with no fins and Stude 259)……..Flight Hawk (pillared coupe with no fins and Stude 185 I6).
I too have aged out of restoring cars,they are always more money and take longer than estimated. Found old motorbikes to be more my advanced age skill level. Have a good day !
Looks more like a power hawk side trim
The fins are 56 hawk and the dash is too,,looks rough but hows the floor and frame,,and that “engine” has to go,,I would consoder a bid on it but not 2K
Damnation! Still Pickin and Grinnin on This dinged and damaged lonely wreck. Yeah somebody’s got a HAWK eye for them fins. Please don’t destroy!Don’t DASH off? Save my poor baby! Again. STU D. BAKER .
As a rod, I can see it. Not a fan of rat rods, but this could be a cool Frankenstude.
Heck – it’s only $2000 you arm chair restorers !!!!
This must have been quite beautiful when it was a new red Studebaker Hawk, driving off the dealership lot. Wonder why metallic green was chosen after the earlier nose was added? Obviously not a thorough “glass out,” door jam/trunk/under hood repaint when it became FrankenStude!