They Gave It Everything But A Pretty Face... [PIC]

In 1958, Studebaker acquired only the Packard marque as the historic Packard assembly plant was already leased and later sold to Curtiss-Wright. Without the money manufacture a continuation of Packard's '55 to '56 automobile, Studebaker did what had done since 1953 with only changes in the sheet metal and use that platform to create a luxury performance hardtop called the Packard Hawk to hopefully compete with the new 5 passenger Thunderbird. The interior got a machine turned metal dash, plush leather everywhere including exterior arm rests like European roadsters. The headliner was framed in chromed ribs and power everything could be had for creature comfort. The venerable 289 V8 from the Golden Hawk received a McColloch (Paxton) supercharger bringing horsepower to 275 HP. They also offered the "TT" package of a limited slip differential. Once again, to disguise the Studebaker body into something unique to the marque, they went back to the sloping hood and deck of the '53 and added a fiberglass snout that wasn't well received. They only sold 588 of the Packard Hawk not so much for its looks but it was fairly well known that this one year model would be the end of Packard.