Studebaker Golden Hawk Supercharged
The Studebaker Golden Hawk represents one of the most interesting collaborations in American automotive history. When Studebaker and Packard merged in 1954, Studebaker gained access to Packard's powerful V8 engines. The result was the Golden Hawk — a supercharged personal luxury coupe that could outrun nearly anything on American roads in 1956.
The Hawks were part of Studebaker's model line redesign by Raymond Loewy, one of America's most celebrated industrial designers. The 1956 Hawk family used the existing Studebaker Starlight/Starliner body with dramatic updates: a distinctive grille, hooded headlights, tailfins, and extensive use of chrome and two-tone paint. The styling was polarizing — some found it elegant, others thought it overwrought — but nobody could ignore it.
The Golden Hawk was the top-performance model, powered by Packard's 289 cubic inch V8 fitted with a McCulloch (later Paxton) centrifugal supercharger. This combination produced 275 horsepower and 330 lb-ft of torque — remarkable numbers for 1956. The supercharged engine gave the Golden Hawk acceleration that embarrassed much larger American cars and could compete with European sports cars.
The Golden Hawk's interior featured pleated leather upholstery, full instrumentation including a tachometer, and a deluxe steering wheel. The supercharger whine became a signature sound, announcing the car's presence long before it arrived. Heavy-duty suspension and powerful brakes were necessary to handle the performance.
But the Golden Hawk had a fatal flaw: the Packard engine was heavy (nearly 700 pounds), creating severe nose-heavy weight distribution. The front suspension sagged, handling suffered, and tire wear was excessive. For 1957, Studebaker replaced the Packard 289 with their own lighter 289 V8 (still supercharged), improving handling at the expense of some torque.
Production was limited: 4,356 Golden Hawks built from 1956-58, with only 878 in the 1956 Packard-engined version. The Hawk name continued through 1964, but the later cars lacked the supercharger and performance of the original Golden Hawk.
Today, the Golden Hawk is highly collectible as one of the last hurrahs of independent American automakers and a testament to what could be achieved when talented designers and engineers were given free rein to create something special.
The 1956 Packard-engined version is most valuable but also most problematic (front-end weight). The 1957-58 Studebaker 289 versions handle better. Verify supercharger with documentation and casting numbers. Check for front suspension sagging and frame damage from the heavy Packard engine. Body rust is common in rocker panels, floor pans, and trunk. Studebaker-specific trim and parts are scarce but available through specialists. The supercharger requires maintenance and proper oil supply. Values have been rising steadily for good examples.
1956: 4,071 Golden Hawks (Packard 289 supercharged). 1957: 4,356 (Studebaker 289 supercharged). 1958: 878 (final year). The 1956 Packard-engined version is most desirable. After 1958, the Hawk continued but without the Golden Hawk's supercharged performance.