At first glance, this Silver Hawk appears to be a very restorable example of a fairly unusual Studebaker. Thanks to Robert R for this great find! Located in Oak Forest, Illinois and for sale here on craigslist, the seller suggests that it’s best use may be as a “rat rod.” They are listing the car at $3,900. The sellers have included three videos of the car running and being driven around a parking lot, with this one showing a closeup of the running engine. So far, so good. The ad does explain that the brakes need work, so don’t think you could drive it home, but that’s still not too bad. Unfortunately, upon closer examination, there’s rust. A lot of rust. The seller states rust is in the floorboards and driver’s side rocker panel, but the trunk lid is rusted completely through in two places and the door sill pictures in the ad don’t inspire confidence either. Would you repair it, drive it as-is, or steer clear of this find?
I don’t think its a ’57, looks kike a ’58 to me. Had one, and the rust you see is probably less than the rust you don’t see
The Hawks are my favorite Studebaker. However, Stude had a rust problem in this period. I would approach with great caution.
Studebakers commonly had rust problems in the front fenders too, btw, though this one doesn’t seem to be equipped with the dirt catching air vents behind the front wheels.
Heck he made 2 laps around the parking lot, that thing is ready to be the next NASCAR pace car.
I recently moved to northern CA.from CT… cars here have little or no rust.. even ones sitting outside for decades.. I m having a blast just looking at great old solid cars!