Packard Hawk of 1958

[55PackardGuy]

I don't think I'd ever want to (or <span style="font-style: italic">could</span>) own one, but I'd sure like to see and drive a 1958 "Packard" Hawk. Sure, it brings up thoughts of the demise of Packard, and the pesky survival of Studebaker (NEVER should have been that way--should've been the other way around in any kind of semi-fair and reasonable universe) BUT even though it's "badge engineered" and not a real Packard, and it's fun to call it a "Packardbaker" (or Stuard?) <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> STILL this is interesting, ain't it???:

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">1958 Packard Hawk

The 1958 Hawk was specially styled by Duncan McRae. The cars design was unique and completely unforgettable - a wide mouth grille and other features like exterior leather arm rest along the side windows, a spare tire outline on the rear deck, and gaudy gold mylar inserts for the flared tailfins. (The car did not have quad headlamps, which other '58 Packards sported.

Motor Life described the car as "the finest instrumentation setup now being used in an American-built car. It's elegantly simple, attractive and highly functional."

<span style="font-weight: bold">The controversial styling of the Packard Hawk has always obscured the fact that it was the fastest production Packard ever built. </span> Powered by the Studebaker's 289-cubic-inch supercharged V-8 which produced 275 hp and 333 lbs/ft torque to motivate this 3470 pound car.

The production of this car was very low, just 588 units, and the scarcity of surviving examples has made the Hawks the most collectible of 1957-58 "Packardbakers." </div></div>

I want a ride, at least... <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

[mrpushbutton]

Guy, I've been a passenger in one, S__in' it and gettin' it, and it was a fun ride. Pretty quick wheels for 1958, somewhat comparable to a Vette of that vintage.

[Twitch]

What ever anyone wishes to call it back then it was a going machine as you mentioned. The Hawks were performance cars and the 58 no different. People that hated the weirdness or stodgyness of Studebakers did like the Hawks. It's like a Corvette in the Chevy line of bla cars today.

[Jack_Vines]

FWIW, I much prefer the Packard Hawk to the '58 Golden Hawk. Having been around when it was new, I saw a stick shift and 4-bbl conversion which would run with any of the Corvettes and Thunderbirds of the day. The local Packard dealer was forced to take the Packardbakers to have something new to sell in '57 and '58. No one wanted the '58 Hawk, so his son went through the parts bins and made it the fastest thing on the road. As I remember, it had the T-85 overdrive, a 4.09 Twin-traction and a '56 President 4-bbl setup. He broke the tapered axles twice I know of. Bad thing was it was the only Packard Hawk in the state, so every cop knew where to find him.

thnx, jv.

[Guest Randy_G]

I would love to know where that car is today. there were only 558 sold and of that there is only around 200 or so surviving. Its one of the Cars I would have in my Garage.

Randy_G

www.automotivehistoryonline.com

[55PackardGuy]

Randy,

Maybe this fellow could help. Don't know if it's a current e-mail on the site. Also, since he says he's looking to "locate" existing cars, he might be more interested in getting one than helping anyone else find one. Is that enough disclaimers? <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> ...

http://www.packardhawk.com

It looks kind of pretty in white (see attached) but I prefer red or black examples--like I'll ever have a chance to choose the color Packard Hawk that I want! <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

[Guest Randy_G]

Ive been to his site its like you said more of where are they now, not lets find you one. I will keep my eyes open but I doubt I could afford it when I find it.

Randy_G

[55PackardGuy]

I think with the Hawk it's more the finding than the affording. While a collectable care, it's not one of the skyrocketing examples--a bit too rare and unknown for that, I guess. An apparently pristine example (see attachment) was asking $15K in '99 and brought a bid of $9,000, probably a price the seller should have taken...

http://info.detnews.com/joyrides/story/index.cfm?id=97

[Guest Randy_G]

As rare as a Packard hawk is and somebody painted that car like that???? NO wonder he didnt get what he was asking for it. maybe he can repaint it and get something close to what he thinks it is worth.

Randy_G

[55PackardGuy]

Yeah, I dunno about that paint. Was there any factory striping or such? Can't imagine they'd go for the big bucks with an incorrect paint job. Oh wait... I guess I can imagine that!