At a time when “cars with fins” were all the rage, Studebaker produced the Golden Hawk. On looks alone, this two-door hard-top was destined to iconic. The two-tone paint scheme is exquisite. A bold and distinctive front end showcased a vertical grill and chrome for weeks. The sharp-looking and fast-looking hind quarters signaled this car was more than just a pretty face. 14” whitewall tires completed the quintessential classic car look.

Under the hood there’s a supercharged 289 V8 engine – which some felt was a bit large for a car this light. But the results were sensational. Its power-to-weight ratio allows the car to punch well above its weight. In its day it could take down nearly all comers in terms of pure speed. You couldn’t help but pity the fool who challenged a Studebaker owner to “race for pink slips.” Cars like this certainly helped usher-in the muscle car era.

Inside the Golden Hawk, bench-style leather seats (front and rear), a padded dash, and a 2-spoke steering wheel gives off an easy, breezy vibe, belying the car’s exhilarating performance. Redesigns for this model year allowed for 3-passengers in the rear. The car’s trunk is exceedingly generous.

In the wake of the late-1950’s recession, a mere 878 of these vehicles were sold in 1958. Much to the delight of today’s collector car enthusiasts, this signaled the end of the road for the Golden Hawk. A rare bird, indeed.