1956 Studebaker V8

Hawk Coupe

8 - Cyl.

Automatic

Gasoline

Up for auction is a nice project 1956 Studebaker Hawk. This car was in the process of being fully restored when the fellow doing the work for me unexpectedly died of a heart-attack. The body had been taken off the frame. The rolling chassis was sandblasted, restored, and painted with epoxy black paint. The bare body shell was media blasted, all body work done. The roof got finished painted and clearcoated, but the lower part of the two-tone remains in epoxy primer-sealer. V8 Engine and transmission rebuilt. This car is one of the nicest c-bodies around. Very low reserve for this very solid project. History and Background on the Power Hawk This car was purchased new by my great-uncle at Scherman-Schaus-Freeman Studebaker dealer in South Bend Indiana. In 1956 Matt and his wife were planning to move from Indiana to Tucson Arizona. Before he quit his job at Studebaker, he used his employee discount to purchase this new Hawk. This hawk never even saw a Indiana winter before the move. The hawk remained it’s whole working life out in the South-West. In the late 1970's, after he passed away the car was inherited by his son and brought to southern Illinois. Unfortunately, the hawk was stored in the backyard and the glass was broken out by neighborhood kids. About 1995, much to my dismay, it was sold to a Studebaker collector in the area. Once again, it was sitting outside with broken glass and allowed to deteriorate. Ten years ago, I was able to acquire it and brought it to Michigan. I was all excited and decided that it deserved a full restoration. Never did I think I’d be parting with it. Restoration Work After getting the hawk, I got it running quite easily. It smoked some, so I decided I’d have it rebuilt. I drove the hawk into my garage in 2005 and stripped it down. Although the trunk and outside of the body were excellent and typical of a rot-free AZ car, the years of wet carpet had taken it’s toll on the front floor pans. I got replacement reproduction front floor panels and welded them in. About that time a supposed friend of mine was heavy into body shop work. I hired him to do the body work and paint the car. As far as he got was to sand some paint off and let it sit outside and further deteriorate while I got ‘glowing’ progress reports by phone and email. Three years later, I had to re-claim my hawk in actually worse shape then I had dropped it off. I was not happy. Once getting it back, I searched and found a reliable person to carry on restoring it. Due to the years of neglect, the body was separated from the frame. The rolling chassis was sandblasted, restored, and painted with epoxy black. The body shell was media blasted, the inside and outside of it. The trunk floor is perfect. No surprises were found after media-blasting the body. All body work was done, and the roof got final paint and clearcoat, the rest of the body is still in sealer in preparation for final paint. The original 259 V8 engine and transmission were rebuilt. I paid for heads reworked, pistons & rings, bearings, oil pump, cam, NOS crankshaft, etc. Unfortunately, the second guy doing the work unexpectedly passed away of a heart attack and once again I ended up with a uncompleted car. Current Condition / My thoughts The body would be ready for paint if one wanted a driver. Heck, one could drag the car down to a MAACO and have them paint the lower portion of the body and call it good for a daily driver. If striving for show quality, I’d recommend some block sanding and addressing a few spots. Engine and transmission are in the car, but nothing is hooked up. Radiator is a NOS three-row from Newman-Altman. As with any uncompleted project of this caliber, some items will be missing. What I have is shown in the pictures. I assembled the car somewhat myself so it would be easier to transport and one can see what it would look like. All the loose parts will be packed in the car to make transport easy for the buyer. There is no title, but I can supply a notarized bill of sale. I never was too concerned since I’ve known the history of the car since new and there is no ‘funny business’. I just don’t have it in me to try to complete this power hawk after everything it’s been through. I find myself running out of room and not being able to do projects I want to do, so it’s time for it go to a new home. One could finish restoring it. One could make a ‘hot-rod’ of sorts by just wiring it, installing the glass I bought for it, and enjoy the semi-gloss gray epoxy sealer finish. Or heck, one could use it as a body/frame donor for a rusty car and have a rebuilt V8 and transmission left over. I have too many cars and projects and have decided to part with this one. Don’t waste my time with BS, or want the car but can’t follow through. I’ve had enough of lies and BS from potential buyers. If you have any further questions feel free to email. My reserve is set much below what I have into it. Car must be picked up within 35 days of receiving cleared payment. Payment only by cash, money order, or bank cashier’s check. If paying by other then cash, payment must clear before car is released, no exceptions. I am located near 49677 if you care to get shipping quotes. Sold as-is, where-is, no warranties or promises are expressed or implied. This is a project car that is 54 years old. Much of the work done to it was done hired done. Due to this, and the fact that one of the guys passed away, what work done is believed accurate, but who exactly knows and no responsibility will be assumed for said work.