Vehicle Description
Touted as the "Family Sports Car," the new Golden Hawk was one of
the most distinctive performance cars of the late 1950s era.
Packard's big 352ci V8 engine gave the Golden Hawk impressive
straight-line performance, but it was also quite heavy, and the
enormous weight over the front axle translated into questionable
handling. For the 1956 model year, the Studebaker-designed 289ci V8
engine replaced the Packard Eight, and the addition of a
belt-driven McCullough supercharger allowed the 289ci engine to
punch out a very stout 275hp and 333 ft/lbs of torque. Over 100
pounds were shed from over the front axle, making the four-seat
Golden Hawk surprisingly quick and agile. It could easily
outperform both the Ford Thunderbird and Chevrolet Corvette in a
straight line, and now had vastly improved handling to hang with
its two-seat rivals on twisty roads. The body retained the old
roofline of the Starliner but was brought in vogue with fiberglass
fins, a hood bulge to clear the blower, and a unique trunk lid with
a fluted rear panel. This 1957 Studebaker Golden Hawk has been
fully restored and is highly detailed with period-correct
accessories and options, and is finished in Tiara Gold with Arctic
White coves and a gold interior. Accessories include dual antennas,
dual outside mirrors and turbine-style wheel covers with wide
whitewalls. Other options include a push-button radio,
Flight-O-Matic transmission, power steering and Twin-Traction rear
axle. The interior features two-tone gold and Fawn upholstery. With
unique Jet-Age style and the grunt to back it up, this Golden Hawk
certainly lives up to the "Family Sports Car" moniker its creators
gave it.
