Vehicle Description
1958 STUDEBAKER SILVER HAWK. THE LAST OF THE AMERICAN REAR FIN
CARS. THIS CAR IS STUNNING. IT STILL RETAINS ITS ORIGINAL
SWEEPSTAKES 289 V-8 ENGINE. THIS CAR WAS BUILT WITH THE OPTIONAL
FOUR BARREL CARBURETOR AND IT IS THE 225 HORSEPOWER VERSION. AS
UNUSUAL AS IT IS, THE CAR ALSO RETAINS ITS ORIGINAL CARBURETOR. THE
CAR CAN SIT FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME AND IT ALWAYS STARTS ON THE
FIRST OR SECOND TRY. THE ENGINE RUNS REALLY STRONG AND THERE ARE NO
NOISES, SMOKE OR LEAKS. THE ENGINE WAS REBUILT ABOUT A YEAR AGO AT
MURPHYS AUTO RESTORATIONS IN SOUTH NEW JERSEY. IT ALSO RETAINS ITS
ORIGINAL FLIGHTOMATIC AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. I BELIEVE THIS CAR
HAD AN OVERDRIVE OPTION IN 1958 BUT THIS CAR DOES NOT HAVE THAT
OPTION. THE TRANSMISSION HOWEVER SHIFTS SMOOTH WITHOUT ANY ISSUES.
THERE IS NOT ANY BANGING INTO GEAR IN FORWARD OR REVERSE. THIS CAR
WAS ALSO FITTED WITH THE FACTORY TWIN TRACTION REAR AND IT STILL
RETAINS THAT. SINCE MY OWNERSHIP, I HAVE ALSO INSTALLED A NEW
BATTERY AND I HAD THE RADIATOR RECORED AS IT HAD A VERY SMALL LEAK
THAT I WAS AFRAID WOULD GET WORSE. THE BRAKES FEEL GOOD AS THERE IS
PLENTY OF MEAT ON THE SHOES. THE ONLY MECHANICAL ISSUE IT HAS IS
THE REAR RIGHT WHEEL CYLINDER IS STARTING TO STICK AND WHEN ITS
COLD IT DRAGS A BIT. AFTER A WHILE IT DOES LOOSEN UP. THE EXTERIOR
OF THE CAR IS STUNNING TO SAY THE LEAST. THE CAR WAS PAINTED
APPROXIMATELY 3 YEARS AGO AND ITS EXCELLENT. THE PAINT IS THICK AND
HAS A TON OF CLEAR ON IT. THERE IS NO RUST OR BUBBLES SHOWING AND
ALTHOUGH I WOULD NOT CALL IT SHOW QUALITY I WOULD CALL IT SLIGHTLY
BELOW. EVEN THE ROCKERS AND REAR LOWER FENDERS DO NOT SHOW ANY
SIGNS OF RUST. THE IS LITTLE TO NO OVERSPRAY ON THE CAR AS I
BELIEVE IT WAS DISMANTLED AT THAT TIME. WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR I
FELT THE CHROME AND STAINLESS WERE A BIT SHABBY. SO IN THE LAST 3
MONTHS I DID THE FOLLOWING: 1. FRONT BUMPER RECHROMED TO SHOW
QUALITY 2. FRONT BUMPERETTES RECHROMED TO SHOW QUALITY 3. FRONT
LOWER GRILL SURROUNDS (BOTH SIDES) RECHROMED
