1956 Studebaker Golden Hawk For Sale in St Louis, MO, 2146377109 Tweet

Even as Studebaker-Packard struggled against the might of GM Ford and Chrysler they still managed to produce some truly great cars in the face of adversity. The Studebaker Golden Hawk of 1956-1958 is one of those cars and though it was based on the older Champion/Commander series the Golden Hawk still had a few tricks up its sleeve for 56. Most notable was revised styling courtesy of Raymond Loewys studio featuring a larger more upright grille and fiberglass vestigial tail fins that helped keep the design in line with contemporary trends. The front-end design was more than just cosmetic however- it was necessary to make room for Packards fantastic 352 cubic inch V8 engine. This big bruiser of an engine put out 275 horsepower making the lightweight Golden Hawk one of the fastest American production cars of the time - one that could give Chryslers legendary Hemi-powered 300 B a run for its money. It was a true muscle car ahead of its time. Less than a decade later time and resources would run out for Studebaker-Packard with the company not seeing the end of the 1960s. Thankfully the engineers and designers did the best with what they had - and as it turned out they managed to accomplish quite a lot.This stellar multiple award-winning 56 Golden Hawk was assembled in early August1956 and shipped from the factory on August 13 1956. In addition to the standard features this example adds factory-equipped options including power brakes power steering AM Stratoline radio backup lamps electric clock windshield washers Ultramatic transmission and tinted glass. The car was purchased by the most recent owner in 2012 who commissioned marque experts Cornerstone Automotive Restoration of Lititz PA for a complete nut and bolt restoration by. The comprehensive restoration is fully documented and was completed in 2019 and remains in pristine condition. The close attention to detail is remarkable.The deep mirror-gloss Midnight Black paint finish is accented by gleaming chrome and brightwork that is mesmerizing to behold. The color scheme carries over to the interior where Charcoal Black and Romany Red upholstery is accented by sporty patterned alloy panels on the dash and door cards. The simple dash is a standout among the typical overwrought designs of the era with clear concise instrumentation a factory radio and little else to distract occupants from the business of driving. On the subject of driving there is plenty of power to be had from the original matching numbers Packard V8. The engine is beautifully detailed to show standards with beautiful chrome Packard script valve covers as well as correct clamps and wiring. The engine runs strong and the car is simply a pleasure to drive; the abundant power and low-end torque from that big Packard V8 lending it an impressive turn of speed.This Golden Hawk has the accolades to back up the superb restoration earning the AACA National First Junior and Senior Award in 2019 as well as a Grand National award and Grand National Senior in 2022. The Golden Hawks many accolades culminated in selection as a finalist for the elite Zenith Award from the AACA in 2023. The objective of the Zenith Award established in 2017 is deceptively simple: Honor an extraordinary restoration with recognition above and beyond the typical ladder of AACA decorations. The field for 2023 consisted of only nineteen cars selected to compete out of the approximately 4500 cars judged by the AACA that year making the nomination itself one of the old-car hobbys most coveted achievements.Rare interesting and in pristine show condition this fabulous 1956 Studebaker Golen Hawk stands out from the rest of the cars on any show field. Here is a rare and unique opportunity to acquire the best of the best Studebakers of the era. Offers welcome and trades consideredFor additional details please view this listing directly on our website https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/7838-1956-studebaker-golden-hawk-coupe/