Worth The Money? 1957 Studebaker Golden Hawk
It is often considered that classic cars have two values. There is what the market determines the vehicle is worth, and then there’s the buyer’s expectation. This 1957 Studebaker Golden Hawk fits into the second category, and since it is the best example we’ve seen, that raises the question regarding its price. There is no denying its condition and originality place it in elite company, but are you willing to pay $195,000 to park it in your garage? The Studebaker is listed here on Craigslist in Louisville, Kentucky, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Rocco B. for spotting this extraordinary find.
The Studebaker Golden Hawk’s styling usually polarizes opinion, which tends to split 50:50 among enthusiasts. While it is no oil painting, there is something about its appearance that is almost gallant, with the car rolling out of the factory when the company was in financial chaos. Therefore, the fact the company produced any cars was incredible. To create something this eye-catching was a minor miracle. The seller indicates the Golden Hawk received a total restoration, and its overall condition confirms this. Its panels are laser straight, with tight and consistent gaps. There is not a spot of rust or corrosion in sight, with the paint combination of Tiara Gold and Arctic White looking undeniably classy. The chrome sparkles beautifully, with the wire wheels and whitewall tires adding a perfect finishing touch to this stunning vehicle. It features flawless tinted glass, and if Studebaker still existed, this beauty would look right at home on its showroom floor.
It is hard to believe that this Studebaker’s interior could present better than its exterior, but I think it has done it. No area escaped this seller’s attention in their quest for perfection. The Gold and White leather upholstered surfaces are perfect, with no wear or flaws visible. The same is true of the contrasting Black carpet and dash pad, while the dash itself features the original and beautiful machine-turned fascia. There is no wheel wear and no aftermarket additions. Although occupants miss out on air conditioning, the interior features power windows, a power driver’s seat, a power antenna, an AM radio with an optional rear speaker, windshield washers, and seatbelts.
Powering this Studebaker is a 289ci V8 that benefits from a McCulloch supercharger to produce a healthy 275hp and an incredible 380 ft/lbs of torque. A three-speed automatic transmission feeds the power to the Twin Traction rear end, while power steering and brakes reduce the physical effort for the driver. Nailing down definitive performance figures for the Golden Hawk is challenging, but several resources quote a 0-60mph time of 7.8 seconds and a top speed of 125mph. Those figures compare favorably with the supercharged Ford Thunderbird, suggesting that a low-15-second ¼-mile ET is within reach. The engine bay presents as impeccably as the rest of the car, and it doesn’t flatter to deceive. The seller states this Golden Hawk drives as well as it did the day it rolled off the showroom floor. If I were a betting man, I would wager that it might even be better. Modern radial tires will have improved handling and ride comfort, which would be significant considerations in a car of this type.
Buying this 1957 Studebaker Golden Hawk would be like rewinding the clock because it wouldn’t stretch credibility to describe it as being in as-new condition. It is one of the nicest I’ve seen, but the asking price will undoubtedly be a sticking point. The seller goes to some lengths to confirm the figure, even spelling out the price to remove any doubts. The sales record for a Golden Hawk stands at $334,750, but that was set in 2003. Auction history shows that there hasn’t been one venture into six-digit territory since 2014. I’ve commented in previous articles about how the seller’s price means they won’t be inundated with inquiries, which will probably be the case here. We know the seller’s expectations, but what would you willingly pay?
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Comments
Beautiful car, but with that asking price it’s going to be a hard sell. Seller obviously didn’t do any market research in preparing to sell this car.
I think this is his research. He’s not going to sell, but he wonders what people would offer him.
I can’t fault this restoration, as (IMHO) this is probably THE nicest one I’ve ever seen, and it’s loaded. What I like the most are those wire wheelcovers–can’t say I’ve ever seen those on another Studebaker or Packard before. They really set it off. As for the price, it only really matters to the buyer–do they consider $195K worth it? To the average Joe like me, no. It’s still museum-quality, and shows an expert eye to detail. GLWTA!!
Those appear to be wire wheels, just like were found on many domestic cars in 1957, maybe Kelsey Hayes?
The spoke wheels are real. Kelsy-Hayes made them back then and you saw a lot of them on Cadillacs, Buicks, and Chryslers. Don’t know who makes them today.
Studebaker stands out in the styling department with at least 3 classic designs that stand the test of time- the Champion, the Golden Hawk and the Avanti. They rank up there with the Alfa GTV and Volvo P1800 as cars that have a visual appeal throughout the decades. It’s sad that a company that started in 1852 managed to get into so much financial trouble that they couldn’t continue despite the quality designs they could produce. Even the Russians loved their 6X6 deuce and a half “Stoodies” which we supplied them in the hundreds of thousands during WW II. Simple, rugged and easy to fix, there are still some running around in Russia today.
Love the car, but can’t handle that price !!
Beautiful, but 195K? And selling on CL? I’d say this needs way more pictures and much more documentation before getting within reach of the asking price. Odometer rolled over; was the engine redone, is it and the transmission original? Lots of other questions, surely.
People who remember Studebaker, are slowly going the way of all flesh.
There’s an ebb and flow of used-car prices. High when late-model; then they plummet as the model becomes zero-status, with many beater examples abounding. Then the price will plateau, especially if the car is well-preserved.
Then it becomes special-interest, as more-worn examples are removed to the shredder. Prices rise. Slowly a car of the era comes to represent, in buyers’ minds, the good times of times long past.
I saw it years ago in the rise of the price of 1950s Tri-Fives…after they had been relegated to kids’-car beater status for many years. Now, it’s the 1980s models. Those were new when I was young and fresh in the market. Now they’re mostly gone, especially because so many of them were shoddy…and those that survive, remind older people of the good times of that era.
1957 was 66 years ago. The 70-somethings of today, mostly won’t even remember the Hawk. At least partly because so few of them were sold…Studebaker was on a glide path, even then.
Most of the 80’s cars are gone thanks to stupid cash for clunkers. No other reason
I’m 75 and I remember Studebakers from the 1950’s very well. But I will agree that I don’t remember seeing very many of them. A distant relative had one when I was a kid and I liked the styling back then very much.
They were long gone before that ; most 80s cars were built terribly , rust, weak engines , and poor build quality sent more to the crusher before the end of the 90s
I think that supercharger is blowing blue sky up someone’s backside
This car has for sale for literally years. You’d think at some point they’d realize that they’re asking too much but I guess they want it on the market for roughly another decade. I’ve seen better looking Golden Hawks sell for 1/4 of what they’re asking so they’d be lucky to get what they’re asking NOW with the 1 knocked off. They wanted $225k for it initially.
This isn’t coming from a place of malice or ignorance by the way. I love Studebakers and have owned several and still own 2. They’re in no way, shape, or form “big money” cars. Avantis and Packard Hawks don’t even go for close to this much.
I am so smart I thought it was a misprint. $19,950 seemed about right. If it is $195,500 ,I suggest the seller takes a marketing class. If he doesn’t all he is going to get is idiots like me.
We had one, my Dad actually, when we lived on the farm back in the 60’s. Nice car but can you envision two adults and five kids riding in it as we did.
Beautiful car, will it find a buyer at that price is doubtful but it’s not impossible. Do agree with early comments, the collector base for this car is slowly disappearing. Just as the Packard, Hudson and so many other makes have become obscure. Not that they aren’t great automotive history just the buyers aren’t there.
I just finished reading the Studebaker Museum’s history book on the Studebaker family and company. Fascinating! I plan to visit the Studebaker museum at least once before I die.
I might go $100K, but only because I haven’t found a GT Hawk with a 4 speed and supercharger, like my Drill Instructor had several lifetimes ago. Silver with Oxblood leather interior. He was surprised I knew what it was. He had ordered it when in Germany, and had it up to 155 on the Autobahn, so he said.
Thanks 64, you answered my question. I thought a 4 speed was an option but I doubt many were ordered that way in these Golden Hawks. Did any of the Studebaker Hawks come with a 3 speed w overdrive?
They only came with automatics or the T85 3 speed/overdrive. The automatic was watercooled and the manual was a heavier duty transmission. No 4 speed till 61.
I have been to the Studebaker museum in South Bend. It includes some of their cars & trucks, and the wagons they built beginning in 1852. There is also a nice restaurant in the what was Clem Studebaker’s home a few blocks from the museum. My dad had three Studebakers, ’48 Champion Starlight coupe, ’52 Champion Starlight coupe, and ’56 Champion four door sedan. I remember when I was 5 going to the Studebaker dealer to trade the ’52 for the ’56. I told my dad he should buy a Hawk because it was new version of the Starlight coupe, but he said no, we needed a four door. In ’61, when I was 10, he said it was time to trade the ’56 and I asked if we were getting a Lark. He said no, Studebaker was not going to last and you never buy an orphan. I was shocked, he had always been a Studebaker man. I was more shocked when he bought a Ford, but that’s a story for another time.
Amazing car.
I sure would like to get to the museum.
maybe the seller is not anxious to sell.?? then many corvettes are going for over 100k.
my first auto in 1961 was a 51 champion convertible. sure wish I had it now – instead of junking it. what was I thinking – just had a little rust…
I like to think I am restoring a 55 half ton.. E7. for those who might be interested. very rusty. last summer I bought 5 truck wheels from east coast. to replace the strange ones it came with when I bought it in 1969. I was told they may have been 46 chev truck rims. with clinchers. I still have them.
and I like the mention of Studebaker trucks moving the Russian army. interesting history I thought. maybe Germany could have defeated Russia without the Studebaker trucks. but then German was spread pretty thin.