Categories: This Day

November 1, 1955 – Studebaker Hawk line is introduced

Studebaker introduced the Hawk on this day in 1955 for the 1956 model year. Described as a “family sports car,” the line included the Golden Hawk, Sky Hawk, Power Hawk, and Flight Hawk, the lowest priced model. The Hawk cars, which succeeded the Studebaker Speedster, were all two door, four seat hardtops. In 1957 the line up consisted of only the Golden Hawk and the new Silver Hawk. The following year Packard released a one year only Hawk of its own.

Above: 1956 Studebaker Hawk. By KarleHorn at German Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0. Top: 1961 Studebaker Hawk. By Liz West CC BY 2.0,

In the late 1950s, Studebaker

, along with many automakers, suffered from declining sales. This hardship resulted in the drop of the Golden Hawk for 1959, leaving only the Silver Hawk. In 1960 the name was reduced to just Hawk, and it would remain that way until 1962 when the Gran Turismo Hawk debuted. The GT Hawk would be the end the line for the cars, with the last one leaving the assembly line in 1964.

1963 Gran Turismo Hawk. By JOHN LLOYD CC BY 2.0

Brian Corey

Recent Posts

January 6, 1925 – John DeLorean’s birtheday

Promo shot of DeLorean with his DMC12 in 1977. By Jerry Williamson American automotive engineer…

2 weeks ago

January 5, 1798 – Steam vehicle pioneer James Semple is born

An illustration of Semple's steam car as it appeared in Scientific American While better known…

2 weeks ago

January 4, 1967 – Donald Campbell dies during water speed record attempt

Lake Coniston, Cumberland, UK. Jan 4, 1967. Donald Campbell dies as his jet-powered boat somersaults…

2 weeks ago

January 3, 1914 – Automotive entrepreneur Earl “Madman” Muntz is born

Earl Muntz In the illustrious realm of automotive design, few figures stand out as boldly…

2 weeks ago

January 2, 1975 – Top Gear America host Dax Shepard is born

Dax Shepard with his Lincoln Continental (Instagram) Dax Shepard, born on January 2, 1975, isn't…

2 weeks ago

January 1, 1942 – Ending civilian auto production for WWII

Blackout 1942 Chevrolet (note the painted grille) An order from the US Office of Production…

2 weeks ago