What is it about this 1957 Studebaker Golden Hawk that I find so attractive? Perhaps it’s the slightly dirty look; this car actually looks like a barn find! Maybe the wide whitewalls and original hubcaps? Regardless, it’s listed for sale here on bidfastandlast.com and the auction is also in our own classifieds. Bidding is currently up to $11,250 and the car is located in Perris, California. The 1957 Golden Hawk was penned by stylist Bob Bourke and it was his last Studebaker design–I think he went out on a high note!

Golden Hawks were a special, top-of-the-line car for Studebaker. The Hawk line debuted in 1956 with four levels of trim: Flight Hawk, Power Hawk, Sky Hawk, and finally, the Golden Hawk. For 1957 the line was rationalized to just Silver Hawk and Golden Hawk, with both cars featuring Studebaker’s 289-cubic-inch V-8 (the 1956 Golden Hawk had a 352-cubic-inch Packard V-8) that in the case of the Golden Hawk was supercharged! This gave the 1957 Golden Hawk the same 275 horsepower that the 1956 model had. The fins were enlarged over the 1956 model and a louvered fiberglass hood bulge was added to cover the hole necessary for the McCulloch supercharger to fit.

Unfortunately, we don’t know much about this car in particular, although we are told that the ignition is “not functional” in the auction listing. I wasn’t sure what that meant until I saw the close-up of the dashboard where the ignition switch (on the far left of the dash) is completely missing. You can call the auction house at their listed phone number if you’re curious as to why; I know I would before I bid.

Other than the missing ignition switch, the interior looks quite presentable, if a bit dusty and dirty. The back seat looks as nice as the front one. One thing you can do if you purchase this car is to purchase the original production sheet information from the Studebaker National Museum. Seriously cool, and you can make sure that the car is equipped as it was from new.

One thing I find particularly attractive about this era of Studebaker Hawks is the engine-turned dashboard. I’m guessing the odometer is either reading 104,005 miles or it was reset after a restoration. Again, the seller may know more details. Don’t you love that boost gauge!

As with the rest of the car, the engine looks to be in decent but dirty condition. I read that the 289, even with the supercharger, was over 100 pounds lighter than the previous 352, so the ’57 models were said to handle better than the ’56 machines. I know I’d love to hear that supercharger whine (at least I guess it whines–anyone driven one to know for sure?) and go driving in this Golden Hawk. Does anyone else feel that way too? Note: commenter jmolsn correctly noted the supercharger appears to be missing–thanks for your expertise!