1956 Studebaker Golden Hawk

Registration No: 316 UYK
Chassis No: 6030116
MOT: Exempt

• Subject to a bodywork restoration and repaint by Hanstons of Cheshire
• Mechanical overhaul by American specialist E.G Wright
• 83,541 recorded and credible miles
• The original Packard-powered Hawk
• Original factory build sheet and a collection of invoices
• Offered with a photographic record of the restoration

H&H are indebted to the vendor for the following description:

‘The Studebaker Golden Hawk was penned by Raymond Loewy who has been hailed as: ‘The Man Who Shaped America, The Father of Streamlining and The Father of Industrial Design’. Only available for a single year – 1956 – the model was built at Studebaker’s South Bends, Indiana factory and differed from its siblings in being propelled by a high-quality Packard 352 cu in (5.7 litre) V8 engine rated at 275hp. Boasting a higher power to weight ratio than any other American car at the time, the Golden Hawk could sprint from 0-60mph in 8.7 seconds – a remarkable turn of speed for the 1950s – and sported bespoke wheel trims with proud red stars to their centres.

The seventh oldest known survivor from the 4,071 made, chassis number 603011 was found by the vendor via www.1956goldenhawk.com – a website that caters to the model’s worldwide following. Thought to have covered just 83,500 miles from new, the Studebaker was first purchased by a successful farmer in Idaho, USA who dry stored it in an old wooden railway wagon for forty years. The Golden Hawk then passed to a Canadian enthusiast based in Florida, John Herbert, who had it extensively and expensively refurbished changing the colour scheme from Glenbrook Green / Seaside Green to Metallic Blue with Cream fins in the process.

Having acquired chassis 603011 in 2014, the vendor had it stripped down, each body part soda blasted, necessary primer and undercoat layers built-up and Midnight Blue and Yellowstone topcoats applied to mimic the colour scheme of the original launch model which he feels sets the design’s lines off to best advantage.

The work was carried out over several years by approved top quality bodywork specialists Hanstons Bodyshop and Garage Services, Broadheath, Altrincham who have done a remarkable job of the highest quality. There is a photographic record of the restoration. Even the rubbers have been renewed.

Not neglecting the mechanical side of things, the seller entrusted the Studebaker to an American car expert - E.G. Wright Motor Engineer of Ashton under Lyne - whose work is highly respected. He replaced the automatic transmission front and rear brake drums and brake bands and a new lock-up clutch. The hydrovac brakes and servo system were completely reconditioned. The car was fully serviced with the last bout of maintenance being completed earlier this year.

The Packard engine has always been, and remains, ‘sweet as a nut’. This is probably due, in part, to the car being off the road for 40 years and therefore covering a lower mileage than might be expected for a 1956 machine. ‘316 UYK’ is not far below concours condition. All the new parts are originals from the USA including bumpers, lights and bright work. No expense has been spared in the restoration project and subsequent servicing.

This 1956 Golden Hawk is rare, stunning in appearance and utterly genuine. It has been the centre of attention at the only two classic car shows it has attended. Pleasingly retaining its original Idaho plates and build sheet, this stunning Studebaker must be considered an appreciating asset, particularly in the present stormy economic climate!’

For more information, please contact:
James McWilliam
james.mcwilliam@handh.co.uk
07943 584760