Studebaker-Packard Hawk series
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The Studebaker-Packard Hawk series were cars produced by the merged Studebaker-Packard corporation between 1956 and 1964. All but one Packard were badged Studebaker. Described by the company as "family sports cars", they were all two-door, four to six seat coupes with the original aerodynamic styling by famed industrial designer Raymond Loewy's studio, much of the work being done by chief stylist Robert E. Bourke. Subsequent modifications were the work of other stylists, Studebaker's finances no longer affording the services of Loewy Studios after that point.
| Model | 1956 | 1957 | 1958 | 1959 | 1960 | 1961 | 1962 | 1963 | 1964 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight Hawk | X | ||||||||
| Power Hawk | X | ||||||||
| Sky Hawk | X | ||||||||
| Golden Hawk | X | X | X | ||||||
| Silver Hawk | X | X | X | ||||||
| Packard Hawk | X | ||||||||
| Hawk | X | X | |||||||
| Gran Turismo Hawk | X | X | X |
1956 saw a four-model Hawk range launched, of which the lower three shared engines with Studebaker's three model levels; the two coupes; the Flight Hawk had the Champion's economical straight-6; the Power Hawk used Studebaker's 259 in (4.7 L) V8 from the Commander; the two hardtops; Sky Hawk shared the larger 289 in³ V8 and luxury trim with the Studebaker President and Studebaker Golden Hawk, however, stood at the top of the range. The Golden Hawk, fitted with Packard's powerful big-block 352 cubic inch (5.8 L) V8, was the best all-around high performance car of the year, with the second highest power-to-weight ratio of any American production car. Contemporary road tests verified the Golden Hawk was faster/quicker in the 1/4 mile than the Corvette, Thunderbird and Chrysler 300B. In top speed, only the Chrysler 300B could equal it.
In 1957, the Detroit Packard factory was closed, although Packard-badged Studebakers were still produced in South Bend and sold to meet existing Packard dealer contracts. Packard's V8 was no longer being produced, so the 1957 Golden Hawk was fitted with Studebaker's largest 289 in³ V8, supercharged to produce the same 275hp rated power output. The range was simplified; the Sky Hawk was discontinued as too close to the Golden Hawk, while the two lowest models were replaced with a single Silver Hawk model, available with either the straight-6 or 259 cubic inch (4.2 L) V8. 1958 saw a restyled and rebadged Golden Hawk sold as the Packard Hawk.
Drastic measures to save Studebaker from ruin in 1959 saw the Golden Hawk, all Packards, and the rest of Studebaker's car range gone; the Silver Hawk was the only holdover left alongside the new Studebaker Lark range. It was a make-or-break year, but Studebaker's big gamble paid off; the small Lark was the car the market wanted. The Silver Hawk served as a useful showroom draw, and it was continued; since it was the only Hawk model left, it was renamed simply the Studebaker Hawk and continued under that name through the end of 1961.
For the 1962 model year, a restyled Hawk was launched, the Gran Turismo Hawk. Its styling was well received, but sales were not so good, and production was ended with the rest of Studebaker's US production in 1964.
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| Studebaker-Packard Hawk series | |
| (edit) | |
| Studebaker: | Golden Hawk - Sky Hawk - Power Hawk - Flight Hawk - Silver Hawk - Hawk - GT Hawk |
| Packard: | Hawk |
