The Silver Hawk was one of several iterations of the Studebaker Hawk series built between 1956 and 1964. It was cheaper to buy than the Golden Hawk, which came as a pillarless hardtop vs. the sedan-coupe. This ’57 example looks like a barn find as the limited photos show it on a trailer with flat tires. But it’s said to be mostly complete and original and waiting to be restored. Located in St. Francis, Minnesota, this vintage Stude is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $5,500. Thanks for the nifty tip, NW Iowa Kevin!
Silver Hawks were in production from 1957-59. All the Hawks were derived from the 1953 Starliner coupes and hardtops developed by designer Raymond Loewy. Standard in the Silver Hawk was a 185 cubic inch inline-6, but you could also order a 259 V8. We don’t know which engine is in the seller’s car, but the mention of it having posi-traction suggests an eight-cylinder lurks under the hood. The Silver Hawk was the economy version of the Hawk series and was plainer in appearance and trim.
Some 15,300 Silver Hawks were built in 1957, which was probably not a huge number even by Studebaker standards. The seller provides little to no details as they may not even be known by him/her. The body may be solid though a lot of surface rust is present (which often leads to more). We hope this car was stored on a concrete rather than a dirt floor or the chassis could need attention. No engine or interior photos are provided, making the decision to buy a little harder.
It goes without saying that this would be a screamin’ deal-if it were found in a dryer state that has gotten away from salt on their roadways years ago..
But no inside/underside/trunk/engine compartment photos makes it a crap shoot at best.
And depending on what you find you may want to go into a screamin’ run from the scene.
It’d be cool to rebuild this if it was possible!
I totally agree with Nevada Half Track. This would be nice restored. But I’m almost afraid that the reason why theres no photos of the floors is possibly because theres no floors to take photos of. I have a soft spot for old Studebakers especially from this vintage. Hopefully its not that bad and can be resurrected.
Like usual, another vagabond junk person that scored an oldie looking for the big payout. I learned years ago not to even bother when cars are being sold like this. It’s a posi because both rear drums are froze from when they drug it onto the trailer. Yeah, bring your own equipment and crew to get it off of the trailer…..A….no..scroll on. There is one of these local, a golden hawk. That unit spent 6 months sitting on the trailer with the big “for sale..rare sign” on it with some ridiculous price. Now 5 or so years later it resides in the grass peppered around some other junk that has settled in the 10k collection.
I was given a 1957Silver Hawk by my sisters boyfriend. It had a 289 c.i engine and 2 speed automatic with phillco radio. I believe they were from ford motor company. It was pink and white. My dad said get it out of the carport or we will back into it. Too many drivers in this household. Drove it to the nearest junkyard for free. Wish I would have kept it now. Btw my sister did not stay with the boyfriend
Gotta love a Studebaker great cars. This car restored would be a real eye catcher. That said I agree with the others pictures on a trailer no info on the engine or trans no pics of the underside. Do they not know how to sell a car or are they just hoping to sell to a local buyer who will go and look it over before buying. I hope that it is restorable and the buyer does just that and enjoys it. GLWTS
It is a 58
Agreed.
Studebaker did not have posi traction, but twin traction..And it was not necessary to have a v-8 to have this feature..I once owned a ’62 Studebaker Lark with the 170 OHV six .and was equipped with Od and twin traction…I was a former Nipsco gas company car…Being in South Bend, Indiana .the twin traction was for better maneuvering in the snow .
The emblem on the L side of the deck lid indicates “Twin Traction”
I missed the “L”-too busy looking at the beautiful bat wings‼️
It’s a deal. The hawks were sooo ahead of their time. They could’ve been dropped by a ufo. Listen to Capt Memphis. Buy this car.
I heard that Studbaker was allowed to copy GM’s Caddilac and Olds V-8’S and that the 259-289 were the results of this on a smaller cheaper scale.
JB@1025
By the time the new Cadillac and Oldsmobile V8 engines were available, Studebaker was already deeply involved in designing their new V8 that made it’s debut in 1950 for the ’51 model year I’ve had all 3 of those V8 engines sitting in a storage building, and while there is a passing resemblance, the same can be said of other V8 makes as well.
I’ve delved deeply into the history of Studebaker [and Packard], but have never seen info on the company basing their engine off the GM engines. In the immediate post world war era, Studebaker had a very impressive selection of engineers and plenty of financial means to produce their V8 without GM’s assistance.
I found more support that Studebaker did copy some of the features of the Old’s 303 & the Cadillac 331 V-8’S so being that was some 75 or so year’s ago hard to say what is the real truth. A good story if nothing else Studebaker had cash problem’s and most company’s that are cash short take short cut’s or maybe beg borrow or steal to keep a float.
Wrong ! Studebaker engine design is different than the caddy and Olds upon closer inspection it’s a deep skirted block, steel crank, no timing chain ( gear driven ) solid lifters and small valves. You can say it weighs the same as a caddy which god awful heavy.
The price is little high on this one, I have a 61 and they get rust in all kinds of places. Somebody will have a lot of work and no return on the $$.
The grill looks like a 1958
Side grilled under headlights look like 58 too.
I have a 57 Golden Hawk. They are fun drives!
Hey everyone, just stopped by to see if anyone is interested in a couple of these 1957 Silverhawk’s . Ones complete no cancer, running 289 motor and transmission. Needs brakes it has a new exhaust system. . Dash is in tact, seats need upholstery and paint to make it a daily.The other one is all there except the motor and trans.Use it for parts.please contact me if your interested. Thank you
@Robert – Send them in and we will auction them for you!
A lot of complaints about lack of pictures and info and assumptions about equipment and degree of rust. Doesn’t anyone want to go inspect it? I hear Minnesota is beautiful this time of year.
Studes were rust prone , so I’d check it over carefully. I’d love to own one of these coupes, preferably a 53 or 54. Second choice would be one of these with the big grille.