1956 Studebaker Power Hawk

The Studebaker Power Hawk two-door pillared coupe was available for 1956 only. At this time, Packard and Studebaker were one company. The Power Hawk was powered by the Studebaker Commander engines and shared many of its components. The 259 cubic-inch, overhead-valve V8 engine had a two-barrel carburetor, a cast-iron block, five main bearings, and solid valve lifters, and produced 170 horsepower. With the four-barrel carburetor option installed, power rose even higher. The vehicle weighed just over 3000 pounds and carried a sticker price of $2100. It was positioned in the Studebaker line-up between the Flight Hawk, which was the base Studebaker vehicle, and the Sky Hawk. A total of 7,095 examples were built.

The Studebaker Power Hawk was replaced a year later by the Studebaker Silver Hawk which began production in 1957.

The 1956 Studebaker coupe and hardtop models were named Hawks, and design cues included a flat-backed deck lid and a square-shaped chrome grille. A hood ornament was standard on all models, and exterior model identification could be found on the deck lid handle. President Classic models and Hawks had a 120.5-inch wheelbase, and all sedans (except for the President Classic) and wagons measured 116.5 inches.

By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2006