1957 & 1958 Hawks

For 1957 the number of models is reduced to two (2).  The Golden Hawk is retained, the only hardtop (K-body), a new name appears for the coupe (C-body) the Silver Hawk.  1956 Golden Hawk Packard engine is history, to maintain the 275 horsepower it provided, the 1957 Golden Hawk uses the 289 Studebaker V8 with a McCulloch supercharger.  This combination required that a triangular hole be be cut into the hood to make room for the supercharger.  This hole was covered with a fiberglass overlay which started near the front of the hood and continued till the hood meets the cowl.  A small gold V badge is placed on the front of the overlay.

The Silver hawk’s hood is also modified, but while it did not require a hole (no supercharger) it used the hood ornament from 1956, but the hood bulge behind the air scoop would continue very close to the end of the hood near the cowl.  The grooved lower molding seen on the 1956 Golden Hawk would not appear on the 1957 Golden Hawk.  The Golden Hawk stainless-steel wheel trim is retained, but the Silver Hawk would be void of this trim.  The chrome moldings below the windshield and doors seen on 1953 to 1955 K bodies would be returned for the Golden Hawk, but not appear on the Silver Hawk.  However, the scallop indentation in the doors ,which started in 1953, would disappear for both the 1957 Hawks.  Both Hawks would sport the new outwardly canted metal rear fender fins styled by Ducan McRea.  However, the Golden Hawk would also have five vertical chevrons near the back of the fin.  New round tail lights and back-up lights would be found in a painted tail light housing.  In late spring of 1957 Studebaker would release a limited edition Golden Hawk 400.  Initially 10 show cars were built and later another 41 regular production units were built.  These cars featured true leather upholstery in tan or white and a fully lined Burtex covered truck compartment.  Something else that is unique is the accent color of the rear fins was also made present inside the side grilles in the front of the car.  The tan leather would be carried over to the 1958 Packard Hawk.  The first 10 show cars were identical, painted Tiara Gold with Arctic White fins and side grilles.  As of a few years ago, supposedly two of these have survived.  The production units were of a wider variety of colors and two-tones, supposedly eight are known to have survived.  A few (maybe as few as three) clones have been created.  The status of the survivors and clone information I found was from posts on the SDC Forum dated 2005.