Studebaker marketed its new-for-1956 Hawk models as “the family sports car,” a claim made good in the top-of-the-line Golden Hawk series which, for 1956 only, was powered by the robust Packard V-8 engine producing an impressive 275 hp. Coupled with a low curb weight for a five-passenger car, it gave the Golden Hawk bragging rights to the best power-to-weight ratio of an American car that year.

The example offered here capitalized on those performance virtues and participated in the Mille Miglia in 2013 and again in 2015. It benefits from a conversion to a General Motors 700-R4 automatic transmission for smooth, reliable operation, but retains its original appearance. The Golden Hawk is finished in a sporting, two-tone red and white paint combination complemented by blackwall tires and chromed wheel disc covers. The red and white colors are repeated in the interior which is equipped with an engine-turned dashboard plus accessories, including an AM radio, Studebaker Climatizer ventilation and defroster kit, and cigar lighter. Studebaker’s 1956 switch to a 12-volt electrical system supports these accessories, and auxiliary gauges have been fitted to monitor all engine functions during touring adventures. This 1956 Studebaker Golden Hawk has had two enthusiast-owners over the past 30 years, including the Florida-based collector Leo Schigiel, before recently being acquired by the current owner. Having demonstrated its capabilities on two notable occasions, it promises its next owner numerous satisfying driving opportunities.