November Studebaker Meet-Up

We had a great meeting of the Karel Staple Chapter of the SDC in Sacramento, CA today. We had three Bullet Nose Studebaker Champions, Hawks, and many other wonderful cars in attendance.

Hot Chili And Cool Cars Come To Rocklin, CA - Packard Hawk

"Hot Chili And Cool Cars Come To Rocklin" takes place on Saturday, September 17th. L.C. of the Karel Staple Chapter of the Studebaker Drivers Club will be showing a rare 1958 Packard Hawk - only one of 100 still in existence - at the event.

See the video at KCRA.com.

1958 Packard Hawk - Rare - For Sale

Super-rare find! Love the catfish nose. :-)

"958, the last year of Packard production, brought forth approximately 588 of the fastest, sportiest, Packard-badged Studebakers. Essentially a luxurious version of the 1957 Studebaker Golden Hawk 400, and powered with the same 289 V8 topped off with a McCulloch supercharger, the Packard Hawk's controversial styling may have been the reason only 588 were sold. Most of the Hawks were equipped with the Borg-Warner three-speed automatic transmission. This rare Hawk is one of approximately 28 produced with the B-W T85 3-speed w/overdrive manual transmission. There isn't enough to go around, don't let someone else beat you to this true collector car."

View the Packard Hawk listing on eBay.

Studebaker Golden Hawk - Lark

CarThrottle.com has an interesting article about "Offbeat and Obscure Performance Muscle Cars." Included are the Studebaker Golden Hawk, 1958 Packard Hawk, and the '63 Super Hawk and Super Lark.

"It has been over 50 years since the Studebaker Golden Hawk graced America’s highways. Since Studebaker is no longer in business, can we now ask if the Golden Hawk is or is not a muscle car? I think it’s worth taking a look. With 2 different powerplants in this period, both producing 275 HP, in a low slung Raymond Lowey designed coupe, it was certainly a performer. It was also one of the few factory produced cars that introduced a Supercharged engine."

Read the full article on CarThrottle.com - Part 1 and Part 2.

1956 - 1958 Studebaker Golden Hawk

Was the Studebaker Golden Hawk a muscle car?

"Value-wise today, these very rare cars are worth around close to $30,000 in top condition, according to auction results and asking prices in collector car want ads. Of all the independent domestic makes, Studebaker has the largest following. But does that make it an Obscure Muscle Car? Does it deserve a place in the Obscure Muscle Car Parking Lot, or is it just a 50’s cruiser that’s only good for car shows, and nostalgia? I’m looking forward to your opinions."

See this article about the Studebaker Golden Hawk at CarDomain.com.

1958 Packard Hawk - Studebaker Hawk - $74,000

From the NY Times Automobile section:

"The Packards of 1958 were simply Studebakers dolled up with some horribly contrived styling touches. In the case of the Hawk, the pretty Studebaker grille was replaced by a low, wide fiberglass intake that made the front end look like a catfish. The rear deck had an embossed fake spare tire, and the pièce de résistance was a padded leather armrest on the outside of the door, exposed to the elements."

And I ask, "Isn't being a Studebaker remarkable enough?" ;)

See the full article about the 1958 Packard Hawk at NY Times.com.