1959 Studebaker Silver Hawk, powered by its 259ci (4.2L) V8 and paired with a 3-speed automatic transmission. This car retains its period-correct mechanical layout with drum brakes at all four corners and a 3.23 rear gear ratio. It represents the final evolution of Studebaker's sporting coupes before the company shifted its focus toward compact, efficiency-minded models.
1959 was a turning point for Studebaker. The company had placed its future on the new compact Lark, discontinuing nearly every other model in order to survive. Dealers, however, insisted on keeping at least one stylish, full-size car on the showroom floor - something with presence that reminded buyers Studebaker still knew how to build an eye-catching, performance-minded coupe. The Silver Hawk became that exception.
As the only sports coupe left in the lineup, the 1959 Silver Hawk served as Studebaker's halo car, standing alone to draw customers into showrooms dominated by the new Lark. Less than 8,000 were produced, making it a relatively low-volume model even in its own time.
What makes it especially interesting today is its place as a bridge between eras. It carries the bold, high-fin styling that defined late-1950s American design, yet its mechanical simplicity reflects the practical direction Studebaker had to embrace to survive. The result is a standout coupe with classic lines, straightforward engineering, and an important chapter in Studebaker history built into it.
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