I always wonder how many Barn Finds readers were even born by the time that most of the vehicles shown here were made. I would guess that maybe less than half of you were born by 1960 and most likely if you weren’t, you won’t be reading about this 1960 Studebaker Hawk that’s listed on Hemmings. The seller is asking $9,900 or best offer for this great looking black over red winged wonder and it’s located in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania. Thanks to Greg S. for sending in this find!
It’s not to say that just because a person wasn’t born when a particular car was made, that a person won’t be drawn towards vehicles from that era. We all like certain vehicles from periods of time well before we were born. But, in general, we tend to gravitate towards the era of vehicle that we grew up in, or started driving in. I would think that a car as extravagantly-styled as this 1960 Hawk would be admired by young folks much more so than a four-door Plymouth sedan from the same era would be, but that’s just a guess. (counting the seconds until I’m proven wrong) (4 seconds, a new record!)
Come on, who doesn’t think that this is a cool design? The 1960 Studebaker Hawk came towards the end of the run for this unusual two-door and Studebaker was having much success with the Lark at the time. Unfortunately, steel shortages due to strikes in 1960 really hurt this relatively small company, at least compared to the Big 3 +1 (1 = AMC). Hagerty is at $12,100 for a #4 fair condition car so this one could very well be a good deal and worth checking out.
The seller gives almost no information on this car other than “1960 Studebaker Hawk. Runs strong. Solid car, ready for some TLC.” No really, that’s it. They do provide a 10-second video of the car running. There is only one overall photo of the car, too, so you’ll have to ask for a few more, or better yet a personal inspection is always a good idea if that’s an option. The interior does look good in the photos that they have provided.
There’s a lot of buffer zone ahead of this 289 V8. I don’t know which version this is but it should have either 210 or 225 hp, more than enough to drive in today’s traffic if a person is brave enough to drive a classic car with today’s “drivers” (a term used loosely here) not paying much attention to anything around them. The engine sounds good in the video that they have provided and we know that the horn works! I personally prefer the 1956 Hawks without the giant fins but I’m probably in the vast minority on that. Most people like big fins on cars from this era if given the choice. What are your thoughts on this black over red Hawk? And for the record, how many of you were alive by 1960?
I was 12 years old in 1960. I love those old Studebakers. A neighbor had a 50’s Hawk and I thought it was the coolest car I had ever seen.
Me to Roger. At 12 Dads friend had several mid 50’s of this category but at the time I had to stick to the big three. Although I still admired them. (So Vet like and cheap)
Great cars! Styling, driving, all good…….
Shame the owner offers little information
Of course, the engine is set well back in the chassis, Scotty. A quick look at one of the original Loewy coupes will explain why.
The fact that Studebaker was able to soldier on with so many variations of the original 1953 design for over a decade demonstrates how great it was. Sadly, the South Bend-based company spent years going from one crisis to the next, right up to its ultimate demise.
The stories behind Studebaker’s failure are legion. Sweetheart deals with the labor union and terrible craftsmanship were part of it. I read how on the assembly line they’d be using a long 2×4 to try and coerce a car door into position so it would close. I believe the Lark series might have been better designed and built than these however.
I read the recollection of someone who was young when these cars came out and talked his mother into taking one for a test drive. The whole experience was a disaster. I think he said when they parked the car on an uneven surface they couldn’t open the doors.
BTW I turned 4 in 1960 and for 21 years I’ve been living very close to Studebaker country (NW Indiana).
2×4 or similar have been used for door alignment in many auto plants for decades.
McDonnell Douglas adjusts their helicopter doors like that.
My Uncle Carl & Aunt Opal lived in South Bend & my Brother & Wife lived there also Uncle Carl was a Mechanic & had a midget offennhauser {#56} he used to race at the 16th.St.Speedway, which at that time was right across from Indy Speedway.
Couldn’t agree with you more. I love these Hawks!! Always wanted one. Never got to it. In 1960, I turned 17.
I like most of Studebaker designs, even the Avanti. This being the same year as I was born, that would make it a little more special.
I was 13 in 1960. I got my first car that year; a 1935 Chevy standard 4 door sedan. It didn’t run, but I spent a lot of time working on it, which helped me learn things about how cars work. Loved the Hawk, but, you know at 13 I certainly couldn’t buy a late model car.
I have a ‘57 Silver Hawk which is essentially the same car as this. When I take it out for a spin, I get more thumbs-ups, waves, and honks than I’ve gotten from any other car I’ve owned in the last 30 years. People just seem to love the looks of these.
My father purchased a 61 Hawk with 4 speed in 1966, black with red interior. Unfortunately, it was totaled in July 1968 and parted out. I want another one. A few years later, one of his coworkers gave him a 59 Silver Hawk. It was white with a red interior. It had a bad engine, so we did an engine swap with his 62 GT. I eventually sold the Silver Hawk, after acquiring a 64 Avanti 4 speed, which I still have. I inherited the 62 GT Hawk, which also had a 4 speed, however, I sold that one to help pay for college. Some of my fondest memories are sitting in the front passenger seat of the 62 Hawk and whatch my mom dice through the gears of that awesome Borg Warner T-10 transmission. About 20 years ago I purchased another 62 GT Hawk from the original owner, which was purchased new from Danyluk Motors in Glendale, California. It is the same color inside and out as our former GT Hawk albeit with an automatic.
Born in ’77, son of a greaser.
I have varying tastes and respect the classics.
Love the studes!
I’m not quite as old as this car but close. For that price a guy would be doing pretty well in my opinion, a 58 yr old car in running condition for under $10k? What’s not to like! As was already mentioned, its got the goods for the thumbs up factor and you’ll more than likely be the only guy at the car show that has one.
I ‘m taking the Fifth on how much older than this Stude I am…needless to say I would have been a tyke. I love these and would like one that is supercharged. The closest I came to a Stude was a housecleaner of ours who had a ’49…….I think.with the 2 piece rear window that looked like it was coming when it was going.
Wanted to add that Studebaker prices seem to be softening and someone should be able to score this for somewhat less than the ask – but, of course, determine what “TLC” is required before you lay down the cold hard cash. I ended up dumping almost 4 grand into mine in the first few months I owned it. Like my grandpappy always said, “Education has a price!”
Born in 98 but i still am drawn to these cars. Goes to show there will always be people ready to look after them!
I was -18 years premature in 1960 but nevertheless I am in love with Studebaker. So in love, in fact, that last year I found a piece of jwellery that I simply could not resist – a 1937 Dictator (beige) that I am trying to enjoy every weekend. The car is now more than 6000 miles away from its birth place but seems to be enjoying the warm whether in the summer although bubbling (boiling a bit when it’s too hot). I am trying to keep the car stock (still has the 6volts system) and will sure not become a hot rod for as long as I am the keeper and hopefully never :). By the way if there is anybody who knows where I can find a window regulator and maybe a fan which would work with the 6v I would really apreciate it. All the best to everyone. I am a keen visitor of the bf community
Beautiful car you have in the 37 Dictator. Loved Studebaker’s since I looked into them when I found out my Grandfather lost his President during the depression to a garage owner with no sympathy. Keep my contact, maybe your current will join my 56 Power Hawk, and 1951 2 R6 Pick Up. But not too soon, I need to finish the restor on these drivers! Born 1959.
1945
Old enough to have seen them come out and appreciate them.
I like it, it’s got character.
Tricky question to answer…if being a ’60 this car was built in late 59, I was two and not really into cars unless i was being taken somewhere by M&D.
But in ’68, we lived a block away from a fellow who must have been the (former) local Studebaker dealer; he had two Gran Turismo’s, a white one for spousal duties, and his was black with gold anodized (maybe brass) rad shell which looked incredible. Don’t remember if anything else had that treatment.
I was -39 in 1960, (b. 1999), but my mother was born that February. I like the looks of this Studebaker! A guy in my local car club has a white/red 1958, and it is one of the first classics I ever remember seeing at a show when I was in the low single digits. My favorite cars are ‘50s-‘60s Ford/Mercury/Lincolns and pre war luxury independents (Duesenberg, Cord, Packard, etc.) I also have a special place in my heart for pre 1967 Volkswagens. My daily driver currently, at 18, is a 1965 Mercury Comet Caliente with a 302 from a 1971 Torino dropped in after the 289 went belly up.
I guess I’m the old guy here…born in 1940. My first car was a 1937 Dictator I bought when I was 14 for $25.00. My second Studebaker was a 1951 Commander coupe that I bought when I was 22 years old. My last Studebaker was a 1963 Avanti with A/C which I bought 9 years ago and foolishly sold three years ago. Always liked Studebakers but don’t currently own one. Present collector cars owned are 1961 Corvette, 1963 Thunderbird Sports Roadster, 1955 Imperial Newport hardtop and a 1979 Lincoln Continental Mark V.
Wait a blinking minute; what is wrong with using a long 2×4 to spring a sprung door into closing properly?
More leverage than a short one.
First time I saw this done was by wife’s grandpa who worked at Ford Motors, his first job was pulling autos by hand station to station assembly line.
He said they used 2×4 if needed on brand new ones as last step before out the door clear into early 1950s’.
And yes his son. my father-in-law, and myself, used one of his dad’s old oak 2×4 to line up doors on his old 50 ford sedan that my wife and I bought from her grandma after gramps demise.
Awesome looking Studebaker Hawk! I’ve always preferred these over the 1962 and later Hawks.
7 years old when this came out and always loved the original 1953 and the variations it produced as the line progressed. I lived in southern Illinois for many years and in the late 90’s into 2000 always saw one of these on the raod as a daily driver in and around Marion, IL!!!! Have lusted after this body style for years-or a Packard with the supercharger!!!!!
If we could check the VIN and find out that this car was built in September 1960 then it would be my age. That’s when I rolled off of the assembly line.
Johnny. I to was rolling off the assembly line in 1960–but it was with my high school diploma in my hands rather than my birth certificate!
my first stude was a 59 Silver Hawk Six with O/D assembled in Belgium, but exactly the same with the reclining seats. It served me well. no problem with craftsmanship. Do not know it survived, sold it 40 years ago. later owned a 62 GT hawk six, 57 Silver Hawk V8, 60 Silver Hawk V8, 63 GT Hawk six, 64 GT V8 with white leather and Limited Slip differential and a 57 loaded Golden Hawk. My last car in the Netherlands was a Lark Hardtop Six 60.Due to malpractise of the guy who was supposed to restore minor flaws on this car I lost it. Only thing I have left is the dashboard, hanging on the wall of my Studebaker room.
YOU SEE A HAWK I SEE A BAD LIKE IN BATMOBILE stick a batman sticker on it and drive around with robin its cool but i like the golden hawk
Growing up in rural Britain during the 1950’s and 1960’s all American models of car were a rare sight to see on our narrow roads. But I became familiar with the Studebaker Hawk simply because Corgi Toys produced (probably) thousands of them painted gold and listed as a ‘Studebaker Golden Hawk;’
on the little blue and yellow boxes they were sold in. I loved its design and yearned to see one for real….if you google …there are plenty still about for sale ! My Corgi toy Studebaker (Golden) Hawk held pride of place on the shelf beside my bed !
I thought this had a lot of potential, and that’s why I submitted the car! Studebaker made some beautiful cars, and these always catch my eye. This would be a bargain for someone on a budget, especially if you could get the price down more. I love cars from the 50’s, 60’s and early 70’s, always been my favorite. And I was born in 1969!
Greg S.
Nice car, and nice price. If I didn’t have a garage full of projects already that I might never complete, I’d be all over this.
Well if this Hawk was made before May of 1960 then it is a touch older than me. I have always admired these cars. If I had 10K I would be driving out to go look at it and maybe buy it. I am actually running up to DC later this month. I could go check it out on the way home with empty pockets though. LOL.
My gf had one of these about 30 years ago (red) and her ex stole it out of her driveway after the divorce. The next motorhead in her life found it, and took it back from the ex one night. The ex again tracked it down, hidden and covered in a NJ backyard, and stole it yet again! She never did recover it, and she’s still mad about to this day!
I was 15 in 1960 never had a Hawk but owned a 39 President it was black and had dual side mounts, the body was flawless and the interior was nice. However a previous owner had cut the body off behind the front doors and made a wooden pickup bed. It was really a neat job of craftsmanship. Boy did that car get the looks all that chrome and beautiful front end. One day a crazy guy I knew with a Big Power Wagon rammed it sideways into the river then just laughed his head off. We settled on price and he never batted an eye just paid off and drove off. I never saw him again, those were some kind of days.
I was 24 in 1960.In 1964 I went to work at a Mercedes-Benz dealership in Boston, and my first sales training school was for Studebaker sales.At that time Mercedes were distributed by Studebaker/Packard.I still have a bottle of Studebaker Haze Cream polish, and a small household oil dropper with the Studebaker logo.The dealership had a leftover Golden Hawk,and a Wagonaire,as well as a strippy Lark.
1951 here, love Studebakers and remember them well as my grandfather had a 48 Champion. At it’s 1953 debut this body style made every other car look like a barge. IMHO they made the most streamlined and beautiful cars of the 50’s with more than 2 seats, bar none.
Late Saturday night. Still for sale. I AM surprised!! Can’t believe it is still for sale. Someone should have grabbed it up by now
I was 8 in 1960. I never had a Hawk but the old Studebakers always caught my eye.