Vehicle Description
Even as Studebaker-Packard struggled against the might of GM, Ford,
and Chrysler, they still managed to produce some truly great cars
in the face of adversity. The Studebaker Golden Hawk of 1956-1958
is one of those cars, and though it was based on the older
Champion/Commander series, the Golden Hawk still had a few tricks
up its sleeve for '56. Most notable was revised styling courtesy of
Raymond Loewy's studio, featuring a larger, more upright grille and
fiberglass vestigial tail fins that helped keep the design in line
with contemporary trends. The front-end design was more than just
cosmetic, however- it was necessary to make room for Packard's
fantastic 352 cubic inch V8 engine. This big bruiser of an engine
put out 275 horsepower, making the lightweight Golden Hawk one of
the fastest American production cars of the time - one that could
give Chrysler's legendary Hemi-powered 300 B a run for its money.
It was a true muscle car ahead of its time. Less than a decade
later, time and resources would run out for Studebaker-Packard,
with the company not seeing the end of the 1960s. Thankfully the
engineers and designers did the best with what they had - and as it
turned out, they managed to accomplish quite a lot. This stellar,
multiple award-winning '56 Golden Hawk was assembled in early
August1956 and shipped from the factory on August 13, 1956. In
addition to the standard features, this example adds
factory-equipped options including power brakes, power steering, AM
"Stratoline" radio, backup lamps, electric clock, windshield
washers, Ultramatic transmission and tinted glass. The car was
purchased by the most recent owner in 2012 who commissioned marque
experts Cornerstone Automotive Restoration of Lititz, PA for a
complete nut and bolt restoration by. The comprehensive restoration
is fully documented and was completed in 2019 and remains in
pristine condition. The close attention to detail is remarkable.
The deep, mirror-gloss Midnight Black paint finish is accented by
gleaming chrome and brightwork that is mesmerizing to behold. The
color scheme carries over to the interior, where Charcoal Black and
Romany Red upholstery is accented by sporty patterned alloy panels
on the dash and door cards. The simple dash is a standout among the
typical overwrought designs of the era, with clear, concise
instrumentation, a factory radio, and little else to distract
occupants from the business of driving. On the subject of driving,
there is plenty of power to be had from the original matching
numbers Packard V8. The engine is beautifully detailed to show
standards, with beautiful chrome "Packard" script valve covers as
well as correct clamps and wiring. The engine runs strong, and the
car is simply a pleasure to drive; the abundant power and low-end
torque from that big Packard V8 lending it an impressive turn of
speed. This Golden Hawk has the accolades to back up the superb
restoration, earning the AACA National First Junior and Senior
Award in 2019, as well as a Grand National award and Grand National
Senior in 2022. The Golden Hawk's many accolades culminated in
selection as a finalist for the elite Zenith Award from the AACA in
2023. The objective of the Zenith Award, established in 2017 is
deceptively simple: Honor an extraordinary restoration with
recognition above and beyond the typical ladder of AACA
decorations. The field for 2023 consisted of only nineteen cars
selected to compete out of the approximately 4,500 cars judged by
the AACA that year, making the nomination itself one of the old-car
hobby's most coveted achievements. Rare, interesting and in
pristine show condition, this fabulous 1956 Studebaker Golen Hawk
stands out from the rest of the cars on any show field. Here is a
rare and unique opportunity to acquire the best of the best
Studebakers of the era. Offers welcome and trades considered For
additional details please view this listing directly on our website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/7838-1956-studebaker-golden-hawk-coupe/
