1956 Studebaker Power Hawk

Coupe

8 - Cyl.

Manual

8852065

Gasoline

The 1956 Hawk line was heavily advertised in popular magazines with splashy two-page spreads like this. Bob Bourke, the company's chief designer in the Fifties, stated: "Although I felt the 1956 Hawk series was an improvement over the heavily chromed 1955s, I still prefer the pure, clean appearance of the 1953s and 1954s." Actually, Studebaker's 1956 styling was quite understated for the time, but the Hawk looked like something from Europe. And unlike its predecessors, it bore no obvious styling relationship to other Studes at the front or rear. As Loewy's farewell to South Bend, the Hawk was striking, but it appeared only because Studebaker-Packard president James J. Nance had insisted on a full line of cars in all price ranges. For similar reasons, there were no fewer than four variations: Flight Hawk, Power Hawk, Sky Hawk, and Golden Hawk in ascending order of price, power, and plush. This is a restored original barn find. It has had the floorboards replaced and the body has been taken down to bare metal. There is no rust in the car. The engine is the original 259 ci with 98 k miles. It does not use oil. It has new dual exhaust. The transmission was originaly an automatic but has been changed to a reciently rebuilt 3 speed with overdrive and a floorshift conversion. The brakes have been rebuilt and new shocks installed. It has weldwheel wheels with new radial tires. All trim and bumpers have been rechromed or polished. The exterior was painted black with blue pearl added to the clear. It then had some very tasteful flames added, done in blue, silver, red and purple pearl. The sun really makes this car come alive. There is one small dent just ahead of the driver side vent, however it is barely noticable. It has a custom stereo system, and custom blue cloth upholstery in the interior and trunk. It has about 98,000 total miles and about 4,000 since restoration.