1958 Studebaker Silver Hawk Wants a New Home, Will Reward You With Original V8

In 1955, Studebaker built a limited-edition hardtop based on the President to enter the personal luxury car market. Called the Speedster, it sold only 2,215 units, but that number was big enough for Studebaker to follow up with a full lineup of “family sports cars.” The Hawk series debuted in 1956.

In the first year, the lineup included four models: the Flight Hawk, Power Hawk, Sky Hawk, and Golden Hawk. The latter was the most luxurious and powerful, becoming one of the most iconic Studebakers ever produced. But while the Golden Hawk remained in production for three years, the other three initial Hawk models were discontinued after only a year in showrooms.

Facing financial issues that forced it to close manufacturing at all Packard facilities, Studebaker simplified the Hawk lineup. The Sky Hawk was dropped, while the Flight Hawk and Power Hawk were replaced with a single Silver Hawk version. To fill both gaps, the latter was available with an inline-six and a V8.

The Silver Hawk remained the company’s entry-level personal luxury car in 1958 when the corporation added a Packard Hawk model to the lineup. In 1959, however, both the Packard version and the Golden Hawk were discontinued, leaving the Silver Hawk as the only proposition. The Silver Hawk went into the history books at the end of 1959 when Studebaker went with a simpler Hawk nameplate.

It’s 2024, and the Silver Hawk is not a desirable classic, but it’s a great option if you love late-1950s Studebakers and can’t afford a Golden Hawk. While the latter can fetch up to $80,000 in pristine condition, Silver Hawks rarely exceed $20,000. Sure, they’re not as fancy as the Golden Hawks inside the cabin, but the gap is much smaller than the price suggests.

If you’re in the market for a Silver Hawk, this 1958 example is not only affordable, but it’s also “a great car to hop in and drive” with minor imperfections. It will also reward you with a 289-cubic-inch (4.7-liter) V8, the nameplate’s range-topping powerplant at the time.

Finished in white with gray rear fins, this grand tourer is pretty much identical to a Golden Hawk on the outside save for the B-pillar and the missing chevrons on the rear fins. More importantly, the paint is nearly flawless, and most of the chrome trim has been redone.

Like most Studebakers of the era, this Silver Hawk has a front bench seat. The two-tone upholstery appears to be in good condition at first glance, while the dashboard still features the original machined aluminum fascia these rigs are known for. The factory radio is no longer inside, having been replaced by a retro-style aftermarket unit.

Going back to the engine, this Silver Hawk has two things to brag about. For starters, it packs the correct V8 powerplant. Second, it left the factory with the top-of-the-line mill. The Silver Hawk came standard with a 186-cubic-inch (3.0-liter) straight-six rated at 101 horsepower. A 259-cubic-inch (4.2-liter) V8 was available but only in Canada.

US customers needing V8 power had access to Studebaker’s ubiquitous 289-cubic-inch lump in two- and four-barrel configurations. The former delivered 210 horsepower, while the latter sent 225 horses and 305 pound-feet (414 Nm) to the rear wheels. The original owner paired the range-topping engine with a three-speed automatic gearbox. Not quite as potent as the Golden Hawk, which came with 275 horsepower on tap, but still a bit of a hot rod.

The engine and other drivetrain components were fully serviced recently, so the Silver Hawk runs and drives as it should. Located in Palmetto, Georgia, the Studebaker is auctioned off without reserve, and bidding is at only $12,600 with four days to go.