This 1958 Studebaker Golden Hawk is an unfinished restoration project that originally came with the desirable McCulloch supercharger. These were impressive vehicles when new with high-end features, loads of power and striking styling. The seller has already restored the chrome and stainless trim and the supercharger has been rebuilt. There’s plenty of finish work to be done but it looks like an excellent base for a project. Find it here on eBay with an opening bid of $18,999 and no action yet.
Interestingly, the Golden Hawk is referred to as a barn find, so our guess it the car was simply parked for an extended period of time after the latest restoration work commenced. The previous owner went through great pains it seems to keep the car largely intact while the supercharger was rebuilt, going so far as to fit a temporary dash panel from a Silver Hawk while the supercharger was removed, as the original panel will have the correct speedometer and boost gauge incorporated.
The seller confirms all electronic features still work, and the interior looks quite good as well. No word if this was included as part of an earlier restoration phase, but the Studebaker gives off a good vibe as most cars mid-way through restoration are never this complete. The carpets and lighter colored sections of the interior show very well, and the seller says that any trim missing in the photos is likely included with the car – just removed for refurbishment.
The Golden Hawk incorporated a fair amount of luxury, like this padded dash cover. Other details, like the original hubcaps, remain in excellent condition. The seller claims that when restored, a Golden Hawk could be worth upwards of $95,000, and while there have been some high water mark auction sales, it’s hard to tell if every example will achieve that number. Still, it looks like some of the heavy lifting has already been done with this Golden Hawk, but the question on my mind is whether the opening bid is scaring potential buyers away.
I own a 57 Golden Hawk which by no means makes me an expert on them but 2 things jump out at me. First, this car has buckets seats, they didn’t offer bucket seats. Second it has a floor shift transmission. They were offered with automatic column shift and 3 speed manual column shift with OD only. It makes me wonder what else isn’t quite right on this car
Hi There Sir In 1971 My Father Found Stainless Steel. Needed Transmission And Titius little care. It was supercharged and A/C ice Cold dessert air like Rambler. Thanks for sharing. Tim King
Wha…?
And didn’t Studebaker use Paxton Super Chargers exclusively?
Jud , to my knowledge they were all McCulloch
Robert Paxton McCulloch began producting superchargers in 1937 and sold them under the McCulloch. In 1958 he formed a separate Paxton division, and shortly thereafter, sold it, I think to Andy Granitelli (STP).. The superchargers he sold to Studebaker under the McCulloch name.
Looks like JJS cleared the supercharger issue up clearly , all I can attest to is that my GH engine had a factory McCulloch on it.
Again I still wish i’d kept that gutsy baby lol
You are right! I have one of these I am now restoring, I am doing my best to make it into what it was when new and right, no bucket seats!
I saw a reference on the Internet (so it must be true) that bucket seats and floor shift were introduced in 1962.
I agree all things on the internet are true ;-)) But this is a Golden Hawk, 1956-58 the GT hawk had buckets and floor shift
Actually the 4-speed and bucket seats were first made an available option for the 1961 model year. Approx 400 were equipped that way. Last year for the fins, but first year for the 4-speed. One of my favorite Studebakers.
Unfinished restoration projects are unfinished restoration projects for good reason.
I agree Ike I owned an early Studebaker coup , put the supercharged Golden Hawk engine in and consistently blew off 57 Chevy’s with the 287 in them . The car was one of the best ( and best looking i’ve ever owned and Stud had a lot of features far ahead of the competition. I sold the car when I went in the Army and looked for a decent one since and have never found one that was restoration friendly that i could afford and I’m now told parts are near impossible to locate.
Join the Studebaker Driver’s Club. Parts are readily available– probably the best availability for ANY 50’s era car, save the tri-5 Chevys. Try studebakervendors.com– lots of vendors with anything you can think of available.
Why leave 60 thousand on the table if it is so close to completion and starting bid is only 18999.
I love this car,but might have to agree with Ike(above).Two troubling things for me;first is not too big a deal,but why no pic. of the engine bay,that’s not as difficult as an undercarriage shot(which would be nice too)? The right side of the car concerns me; from the door back looks to be a different shade,and the only picture of the trunk compartment,is taken of the left side,do I see mud on the trunk floor toward the right,possibly from damage or poor panel replacement? Add to that the door doesn’t line up or does it simply need adjustment? Or is the right front of the car the problem?I’m no expert,just asking/hoping a pro chimes in.I’d have to be more confident at least about this area before bidding.
No Engine Pic?? SB Chevy?
In 1968 I bought a totally stock 1956 Power Hawk 289/Auto that I drove the Family to SoCal to start a new life. It came with bucket seats.
Ummm– No. The car in your picture is not stock. Bucket seats WERE NOT AVAILABLE UNTIL 1961. Nor were the Column-mounted Tachometer or aftermarket steering wheel in your photo “totally stock”. Looks like it was a nice, fun car– but not “stock”.
Seller says “this car is appraised at over 95K when restored.” That’s an optimistic number for even a correct, #1 condition Golden Hawk from what I’ve seen sold at auctions over the last couple years. This car could make a nice driver if you get it sorted out but it’s a long way from a top dollar GH in its present condition.
There are a lot of Studebaker vendors and the forum is also an excellent way to locate parts. Every region has active Studebaker clubs. Buy one and you’ll see how easy they are to own
Honestly with respect to its size, styling, engine trans. specs, and build quality the car is something special.
This is a genuine example;
Correct hood overlay with V. all emblems in gold color
quills in overlay and on fins missing.
Agree wit other comments as I had a1957 GH with the 1964 white leather seating configuration – but with original automatic drive, supercharger, Twin Traction, and !!!!! original sliding sunroof. wheels & covers were 1958. All emblems were 18K gold plated.
This was a frameoff restauration. Do not know where car ended up.
Original blue /white. More pics if interested
I am interested! Please send them to marielayjuanchi@gmail.com
Thank you!
Seller claims “no rust” and provided under body pictures show heaps of it.
It’s not a 58 Hawk but their is a very nice 62 GT for sale at Volo Village in Illinois and it’s a really nice, bronze collar l think their got around 25k on it and parts are available I saw it today
Jud , to my knowledge they were all McCulloch
I stand corrected. The Paxton was introduced in ’63 for the Avanti, Super Lark, and Super Hawk. 289.5 CID 4bbl
4 some reason I like the earlier Golden & the final Grand Tourisimo the best (on body style).
The Larks were on the rd when I wuz lill. Now?
An ol fatman 8^0
Chris , I had the 53 Stud coupe , check it out and I think you’ll see some real style appeal. I wish I’d never sold it lol
First year for Factory offering for 4 Speed and Bucket seats was 1961 and the last year for the small bodied finned Hawks. The first year for the GT Hawk with the Formal roof was 1962 and had several optional engines and seating. Any Haw with buckets of any year prior to 61 have been converted by the owner over the years. Not a factory option even though Studebake was famous for making pretty much anything you wanted with up front order. Great thing is they maintain until this day for a fee the original Build sheets in the Studebaker Museum. Great Club
Could be a later 4 speed was installed, they used T-10’s..shifter looks like it…
Good luck to the new owner
I love these comments u could have orded any thing if u had enough mone the body was always the same from 53 the fins were added with popriverts I just got into a case with a guy from j leno said the fins were fiber glass ive owned several super charged and non just like my dad bought a brand new 61 buick electa 225 conv for my moms birthday 401 nail head two 4/s 4 speed buckets consol every one said that buick never made that car I got my driver lic on that car we taped a hocky puck to the clutch so my mom could push it in when gas got to be 27 cents a gallon my dad took off the 2 4s and put on one four wish I had that car today but saltand rust it went to traduces junk yard back in the 70s when I was in the army
All those pic’s ,but not one of the engine compartment? Odd.
Several statements made that need correcting; The first year for true bucket seats in any Studebaker was 1962. In 1961, the front seats were individual seats that were wider than the later buckets, and there was no center console until 62. Maybe not true buckets but very comfortable. 1961 was also the first year for the 4 speed T-10 transmission, again available in the Hawk only. On the 1956 Golden Hawk with the small fins, they were fibreglass, but the larger fins used from 57 thru 61 were metal. The supercharger used on the 58 and 58 Golden Hawks and 57 Packards were McCullough branded, but all of the Superchargers used in the 63 and 64 model years were branded Paxton. They were basically the same thing except the McCulloch had a variable speed pulley on the front, but internals are the same. Andy Granatelli bought the Paxton Company, but then Studebaker bought Paxton with Andy included. With the Paxton division, Studebaker was able to improve the Studebaker V-8 into the sweet running R-1 and R-2’s, but to also to make the awesome R-3’s and the extremely rare R-4, plus they developed the R-5 which went 196 mph at Bonneville. Not bad for a basically antique engine that first came out in 1951.
hi wayne//that is the most accurate rendition of HAWK history and supercharger information that i have read in a long time.we.would like you to join our ”FOREVER STUDEBAKER” group on Facebook to see how studebakers were admired and loved in markets like southern/central Africa.
Geoffrey, thanx for the invite. It’s done.
Thanks for the great Info, Wayne—buddy of mine has an all original 57 Golden Hawk awaiting resto..everything there and the blower works!!
Good luck to the new owner—this one was way ahead of its time1!!
The Raliegh Classic Auction , June 22-23, has a ’57 Golden Hawk listed. If it sells, we will have some idea of the current market.
I need to know what size white wall tires came from the factoru on the 1958 Golden Hawk
1958 was a one year only deal. 14” wheels were standard, for that year only. 15” were optional, and almost all other Studebakers made after WW2 we’re rolling on 15” wheels. Why they had 14’s in 1958 I’ll never know.
In any case, the tire size on most models in ‘58 was 7.50/14, although I once saw a service bulletin that indicated the C-K models (Hawks) had 8.00/14’s. That may be a hard size to find nowadays.
Coker Tires has the 7.50/14’s, but I sure would rather have radials… I think they offer a “Bais-Look” radial whitewall called “American Classic”
1956 hawk available w 352 Packard motor, no super charger