• Year of manufacture 
    1958
  • Car type 
    Other
  • Lot number 
    124
  • Condition 
    Used
  • Location
    United Kingdom
  • Exterior colour 
    Other

Description

  • Rare one-year model; just 588 built, with few known survivors
  • 275 bhp, 289 cu. in. supercharged. V-8; the fastest production Packard
  • Luxurious, leather-trimmed interior; power steering, brakes, and windows
  • New wire wheels, wide whitewall radial tires installed within last 250 miles
  • A significant, end-of-the-line model from a storied marque

There can be no question that the Packard Hawk is an historically important model. Built in limited quantities in 1958 only, it is the last production vehicle to wear the storied Packard name. With its distinctive style, power, luxury, and rarity, however, it is also much more than an historical footnote.

While the Packard shares its bones with the well-regarded Studebaker Hawk—a consequence of the 1954 Studebaker-Packard merger—stylist Duncan McRae gave the Packard a unique look front to back, complete with a continental kit-inspired trunk treatment. The interior balances sport and luxury, with ample leather trim and a dashboard featuring a full complement of instrumentation (including a tachometer and boost and vacuum gauges).

Power comes from a 289-cu. in. supercharged V-8 mated to a three-speed Borg Warner “Flight-O-Matic” automatic transmission. Thanks to forced induction provided by a McCulloch supercharger, these Studebaker-sourced engines produce a very respectable 275 bhp—enough to render the Hawk, with its stated 125 mph top speed, the fastest production Packard ever. Despite these points in its favor, polarizing styling and a relatively high $3,995 starting price meant the Hawk found a relatively small number of takers; just 588 were sold, and few are known to have survived to the present day.

This 1958 Packard Hawk, chassis number 58LS1413, is one of those fortunate few. Finished in red over a tan leather interior, this car is equipped with the desirable Twin-Traction limited-slip rear differential; its new wire wheels and whitewall radial tires were installed fewer than 250 miles ago. A worthy addition to any Packard or Studebaker collection, this Hawk also has much to offer for fans of the rare and unusual. The car is offered with documentation of $12,125 in recent mechanical work, including a $2,850 transmission rebuild. To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/0520.


RM Sotheby's
5 Heron Square
Richmond
TW9 1EL
United Kingdom
Contact Person Kontaktperson
Title 
Mr
First name 
Augustin
Last name 
Sabatie-Garat

Phone 
+44-2078517070