The name Studebaker is familiar to most people involved even a little bit with automobiles, but aside from being a frequent punchline, not many people understand what the company was all about. For most of its existence, Studebaker pushed boundaries and often adopted new technology before other manufacturers, with the result being above-average cars with a kind of silly-sounding name. In the early 1950s, however, a series of poor decisions, including buying Packard, put Studebaker on the ropes and they needed something big and they needed it fast. That something would be the Hawk.

The beautiful coupe comes from the pen of Raymond Loewy, the brilliant industrial designer responsible for more than a few of the most dramatic shapes to come out of Detroit (or South Bend) in the ‘40s, ‘50s, and ‘60s. In 1953, Loewy’s Starliner coupe debuted to accolades from the press and motoring public alike, a car that was low, sleek, and futuristic without being gimmicky, and it was a marked contrast to the frumpy coupes sitting in Ford and GM showrooms at the time. In 1956, it was redesigned by Bob Bourke and renamed the Hawk. The revised car featured a domed hood for bigger, more powerful engines, some subtle tail fins, and a bit less chrome, which bucked industry trends. In fact, if there’s one thing Studebaker could be counted on to do, it was to zig when everyone else was zagging.

The 1956 Studebaker Golden Hawk was the absolute top-of-the-line, priced like a Cadillac and designed to deliver a personal luxury experience like no other. Only 4071 Golden Hawks were built in 1956, making them somewhat rare then and extraordinarily rare today—experts guesstimate that fewer than 250 remain. If you know what it is, these are very special cars.

Which brings us to this spectacular 1956 Studebaker Golden Hawk. I suppose you could call it a resto-mod, preserving almost all the original design with modern hardware and comfort inside. By starting with a super clean, complete car from California, the result is simply spectacular in every way that matters. The builder intended it for his wife (which is why you’ll find a handbag that matches the interior included with the car), which meant it had to be user-friendly, reliable, comfortable, and capable, and those goals have all been achieved in mass quantities. The body was stripped to a bare shell and rebuilt on a rotisserie, and as you can see in the restoration photos, there was no rust, no bad metal, no accident damage anywhere on the car—a fantastic foundation. Removable fiberglass tail fins and quarters made things considerably easier, since there was good access to all the nooks and crannies, and the final result is absolutely show-worthy. The color is Ford Toreador Red, a deep, rich burgundy that tends a little bit towards brick red in the right light, making the car look elegant indeed. Gaps are exemplary and the chrome pieces are well-fitted to give it a tight, sleek look that is unmatched by its contemporaries, then or now.

And while they removed a lot of chrome from the Hawk in 1956, that doesn’t mean it’s light on the stuff—there’s shiny trim everywhere you look. The redesigned eggcrate grille is a big improvement over the low, wide “catfish” grille of the earlier cars, and it’s flanked by a pair of gaping chrome-rimmed air intakes. The original bumper guards were shaved and the bumper was tucked in a little tighter to the body, giving it a more uniform look, and the fender-mounted turn signals were removed—perhaps the only misstep of the entire design. Only the Golden Hawk received the long stainless spear along the flanks, including the “checkmark” just behind the door—it makes them easy to spot. The stainless window surrounds are show quality and the rear bumper fits as well as the front. There are reports that Golden Hawk taillight lenses cost hundreds of dollars to replace, but these are excellent originals that were polished up and reinstalled with zero demerits. And please take a moment to note neat details like the LED turn signals hidden in the front air intakes, the small hand-slots for opening the trunk, and the beautiful sweep of sheetmetal in the doors. You could spend a long time admiring this car and not see it all.

However, it is the interior that remains the centerpiece of this car. Custom designed and built at a cost of more than $25,000, it uses a pair of power bucket seats from a late-model GTO, extensively modified and re-shaped to work properly in the Hawk. There are 27 separate pieces of leather in each chair, giving them a very modern design that still looks right in the 1956 bodywork. A custom center console was fabricated and wrapped in more soft tan leather, extending into the backseat area to make this a true 4-seater. The original dash was subtly reshaped and topped with a handsome tobacco pad with contrasting stitching, as well as a set of simple Auto Meter gauges that look suitably vintage. Special details include the fantastic custom steering wheel with Studebaker ‘S’ logo, neatly integrated HVAC controls, and aluminum sill plates with the STUDEBAKER name in block letters. All the creature comforts are included: cold A/C, power windows, power seats, and an AM/FM/CD stereo that sounds great thanks to extensive sound-deadening material used throughout. And please take a moment to admire the European-style perforated headliner, with its chrome bows. Just gorgeous! The only caveat we need to make is that the rear windows are fixed in position and do not roll down, an intentional decision on the choice of the builder since power-assist couldn’t be added. There’s also chrome Studebaker emblem included with the car that was intended to be installed on the passenger’s side of the dash, but nobody—not the upholsterer nor the guy writing the checks—could bring himself to put holes in that lovely leather. You can decide whether it works for you. There’s also a massive trunk upholstered to match with a tidy access panel for battery and wiring access.

For power, this Stude steps up and does it right: an all-aluminum LS1 V8 from a late-model Corvette. It’s a neat fit in the Hawk’s enlarged engine bay, and the low-profile fuel injection system makes it easy. Aside from an aftermarket accessory drive system, it remains completely stock, which means 345 horsepower, bulletproof reliability, and easy service at any GM dealership in the world (there’s an ALDL under the dash). A few bright polished trim pieces help disguise the LS1’s coil packs and plastic intake, so it looks right in the ‘50s engine bay, and you’ll note that most of the wiring and plumbing is hidden out of sight for a very clean installation. A giant aluminum radiator with electric fan keeps it cool and they even used GM parts like the power brake booster and master cylinder, power rack-and-pinion steering, and all the accessories. Turn the key and it starts instantly, just like a Corvette, idles smoothly, and pulls the big coupe around with effortless ease. It makes a nice V8 burble from twin stainless mufflers underneath, but it never gets aggressive or obnoxious, which wouldn’t suit the Hawk’s personality.

Underneath, the chassis still uses the original frame, which has been heavily reinforced for the added horsepower running through it. A custom K-member includes tubular A-arms, spindles, and disc brakes, plus a set of coil-over shocks so you can adjust the ride to your liking. The transmission is a 4L60E 4-speed automatic with overdrive, which combines with the original (rebuilt) Studebaker rear axle and 3.07 gears to make this an incredible highway cruiser. Everything under the car, including every single nut and bolt, is new, and there’s a custom fuel system and gas tank to feel the fuel-injected LS motor. It is all designed to be reliable, invisible, and effortless, so all you need to do is get in, turn the key, and drive, just like any modern car. And despite the extensive upgrades underneath, the choice of stock steel wheels with Studebaker hubcaps and 205/75/15 Diamondback Classic wide whitewall radials keeps the illusion very convincing (a set of fresh chrome wire wheels is also available—please inquire).

There’s considerably more than the asking price wrapped up in the construction of this car, and that’s obvious everywhere you look. It’s fully sorted, everything works, and you could drive it cross-country the moment it comes off the trailer thanks to modern reliability. The looks are as dramatic today and after everyone gets over their shock that this is a Studebaker, you’ll enjoy explaining the wonderful history behind it. Call today!