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Supercharged! 1957 Studebaker Golden Hawk

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!

Comments

  1. Avatar jmolsn Member

    Looks like a nice solid dry car!! Too bad the supercharger appears to be missing. I own a 57 and the SC makes all the difference in performance!!

    Like 6
  2. Avatar bobk

    If I had enough money to maintain a stable, a Golden Hawk would be on the list.

    Like 4
  3. Avatar Bill

    It’s listed as a 3-speed manual, but the clutch pedal is missing!

    Like 0
  4. Avatar Chuck Simons

    The Bidfastandlast ad is misleading as it doesn’t mention the missing sc. The high bid is upwards of 15k.

    Like 0
  5. Avatar Ntenna Member

    Yes, it does indeed whine wonderfully. But you’ll have to find or fix one for this car!

    Like 1
  6. Avatar Vince H

    Ad says 3speed o/d but it is a automatic. It Does have a roll up antenna.

    Like 1
  7. Avatar Solosolo Member

    Now we’re talking! Back in the day I had a 1957 Silver Hawk and heard of a Golden Hawk in a small town about 130 miles away. The following weekend I was off to see if I could source it but to my surprise as I was driving down the main street the Golden Hawk was coming towards me. We both slowed down and waved at each other to stop. We spent about half an hour discussing each others cars before we exchanged casr for a spin out on the open road. To say that I fell in love with the Golden Hawk is an understatement and the other guy was impressed with my Silver Hawk but said that he would never sell his Stude at any price. Mine ran it’s big end bearings twice before I swapped it for a ’56 Mercury Monterey.

    Like 1
  8. Avatar Cain

    I don’t think the Studebaker had ever a 352 cid engine in 56 or anytime for that matter, but I may be wrong. Please correct me if I am wrong as I am always willing to learn new things.

    Cain

    Like 0
    • Avatar Jmolsn Member

      The 56 Golden Hawk did have the Packard 352. 57 and 58 had the 289 super charged engine.

      Like 4

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