Two-Tone 1956 Studebaker Golden Hawk Flaunts One-Year Packard Muscle

The Hawk series debuted with a four-car lineup. The straight-six-powered Flight Hawk sat at the bottom, while the Power Hawk provided V8 oomph. The Sky Hawk featured a more potent engine and extra luxury features. Finally, the more iconic Golden Hawk acted as the range-topping model.

The latter was the only version that survived beyond 1956. It was joined by the Silver Hawk in 1957 and remained in production through 1958. Studebaker sold 9,305 Golden Hawks over three model years.

Although it's not the most iconic American car of the era, the Golden Hawk was among the quickest vehicles of its time. Contemporary tests revealed it was faster than the Ford Thunderbird and Chrysler 300B down the quarter-mile thanks to its segment-leading power-to-weight ratio.

The main culprit behind the car's impressive acceleration was the Packard-sourced 352-cubic-inch (5.8-liter) V8 engine (Studebaker and Packard had merged in 1954). Rated at 275 horsepower, the powerplant pushed the Golden Hawk from 0 to 60 mph (97 kph) in 7.8 seconds and toward a top speed of 125 mph (201 kph).

The Packard-powered Golden Hawk was short-lived, though. Packard production ended in 1956, so the Golden Hawk returned in 1957 with a Studebaker powerplant. The company used a supercharged 289-cubic-inch (4.7-liter) V8 that delivered an identical 275-horsepower rating. The swap turns the early Golden Hawk into a one-year gem. This two-tone hardtop is part of that lineage.

Hailing from Corning, Arkansas, this 1956 Golden Hawk is looking for a new home. The ad is rather brief, but the photos suggest the hardtop is in great condition. Finished in Tangerine and Snowcap White, a two-tone combo you don't see on many Golden Hawks, the Studebaker appears to have gotten a restoration at some point.

The paint and the chrome are flawless, while the interior doesn't show any faults, regardless of whether we're talking about the upholstery, the dashboard, or the floors. If you're a fan of three-tone interiors, you'll love this one: it has white/gray seats, white/black door panels, and a black dashboard.

The Packard engine appears original, but there's no confirmation on whether it's numbers-matching. The engine day is clean, and the block itself shows mild weathering. The ad says the car is "nice running and driving" and "ready to go." That's not much to run by, so I must recommend a closer inspection before buying.

The seller is asking $19,500, which is well below the average auction price for restored 1956 Golden Hawks. According to classic.com, 21 examples have sold for an average of $44,076 in recent years. Highly original examples have fetched as much as $68,000. Studebaker sold 4,071 Golden Hawks in 1956, including 292 units shipped abroad.