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Topic starter
20/10/2023 8:06 am
'56 Ford or Studebaker?
Be sure to make your selection.
Of course, please “Reply” to share your comments.
If selection is greater than 2 rank them.
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John Bono
North Jersey
20/10/2023 8:13 am
I love this Studebaker design and the colors shown. I give it the nod over the T-Bird, which is spoiled by the ungainly continental kit IMHO.
20/10/2023 9:03 am
I've heard the Golden Hawk being described as the first 'pony' with powerful engine and light body, (though I could not verify such details). However, even though it looks fabulous in these colours, to me it lacks the iconographic status of the T Bird.
Steve Jacobs and John Bono reacted
20/10/2023 9:53 am
'55 or '57 T-bird definitely over the Studebaker, the butt wort kills the '56 for me. But if I owned it, I would be bad and remove the butt wart, when time to sell it could be reinstalled. T-bird please.
Steve Jacobs and John Bono reacted
20/10/2023 2:44 pm
As much as I love the 55-57 T-Birds, I went with the superior design of the Studebaker.
Steve Jacobs and John Bono reacted
20/10/2023 2:56 pm
Being honest, I'm not really a fan of either. However, if I were handed keys to one of them, I'd prefer the Studebaker.
Very unique looking and certainly a car that will turn heads going down a street.
George Schire
Oakdale, Minnesota
Steve Jacobs and John Bono reacted
20/10/2023 2:56 pm
Thunderbird with conti excised please.
Retired in Dunedin, Florida.
20/10/2023 6:54 pm
Love the Thunderbird, but the Studebaker-AWESOME!
John Merritt
South Lyon, Michigan - USA
John Bono and Steve Jacobs reacted
20/10/2023 9:40 pm
Like both but the Studebaker Hawk is my first choice here. It is a much better handling car with much more comfortable seating.
20/10/2023 10:31 pm
As much as I like the T-Bird my choice here is the Studebaker.
Steve
John Bono and Frank Reed reacted
21/10/2023 7:30 am
@david-green, is that true? I always thought the T-Bird was one of the best handlers for its time. Did the Hawk out-handle the T-Bird?
John Kuvakas
Warrenton, VA
John Bono reacted
21/10/2023 8:27 am
Hi John,
My driving experience with the T-Bird is fairly recent having driven a Hagerty example at the Cobble Beach concourse three times in the last few years. You step up into the car which has a flat floor. The last one I drove was a 1957 version V8 with three speed manual, peppy enough but reluctant to turn in corners at anything but moderate speed and nose heavy. Maybe it was an age problem with these vehicles.
My driving experience with the Hawk is with both a 1956 and a 1961 Gran Tourisimo owned by a friend. Both were automatics V8s which are not my favourite transmission but seemed to handle corners and windy roads much better, less nose heavy. Also, seemed easier to enter the driver seat.
Subjective, I know, but I do get a kick out of driving and comparing classic vehicles whenever I get the chance. Others may have had a different experience.
21/10/2023 11:06 am
@david-green, Thanks. I totally agree with the ease/difficulty of entrance to the T-Bird. And, yes...it was nose-heavy. But I liked the handling compared to other mid-fifties cars I've driven. Unfortunately, I never had the opportunity to spend quality time in a Hawk.
John Kuvakas
Warrenton, VA
21/10/2023 12:05 pm
Agreed John on most 1950s cars. however, the T-Bird was sold as a sports sedan which implied better handling than it had. Judged against other period sports cars or sedans, did not meet handling expectations. Even the C1 Corvette behaved better. Porsche, Jaguar, MGA, Triumph, Healey, much better.
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