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Studebaker Silver Hawk

2025-03-28T17:52:16Z

2604:3D09:96F:B800:3587:E45E:2AC0:2AA3: /* References */

{{More citations needed|date=October 2008}}

{{Infobox automobile
|layout=[[FR layout]]
|image=Studebaker Silver Hawk.jpg
|caption=Studebaker Silver Hawk
|name=Studebaker Silver Hawk
|manufacturer=[[Studebaker]]
|related=
|production=
|assembly=[[Studebaker Corporation#Studebaker Factories|Studebaker Automotive Plant]], [[South Bend, Indiana]], [[United States]] [[Studebaker Canada]], [[Hamilton, Ontario]], [[Canada]] [[Studebaker Corporation#Studebaker Factories|Studebaker Australia]], [[Melbourne, Victoria]], [[Australia]]<ref name=Restored_Cars>''1964 Stude Grand Turismo'', Restored Cars No 2, Jan./Feb. 1974, p. 34</ref>
|successor=
|body_style=2-door [[coupe]]
}}

The '''Studebaker Silver Hawk''' is an [[automobile]] produced in 1957, 1958 and 1959 by the [[Studebaker]] Corporation of [[South Bend, Indiana]]. Studebaker introduced the "Hawk" line in 1956, with four models based on the wheelbase and body of the '53 coupes and hardtops designed by Robert Bourke, as head of the design team Studebaker contracted from Raymond Loewy Associates. In 1956 the Golden Hawk, Sky Hawk and Power Hawk came with 352 cid, 289 cid and 259 cid v-8s respectively, while the Flight Hawk ran the Champion 185 cid engine. The Golden and Sky Hawks were hardtops; while the Power and Flight Hawks were pillared coupes.
Only one of the four models in 1956 sported any fins, that being the Golden Hawk.

==1957–1958==

In 1957 the Silver Hawk was introduced as a pillared coupe, replacing both the Power Hawk and Flight Hawk. The 185 cid Champion engine was standard in the model, with the 259 Commander V-8 offered only in export models. The Sky Hawk was also dropped in 1957, resulting in only two Studebaker Hawk models offered that year, the Silver Hawk with Champion Six or standard 289 V-8 and the Golden Hawk with the supercharged President 289 V-8. A one-year-only model '58 [[Packard Hawk]] was also offered with the 289 supercharged engine.

In appearance, the Silver Hawk was plainer than the [[Studebaker Golden Hawk|Golden Hawk]]. Besides being a coupe, while the Golden was always a hardtop, there was a bit less chrome, no supercharger or bulge in the hood, and a simpler two-tone paint scheme was adopted — simply one color below the chrome belt line and another above, but unlike the Golden Hawk, the lower color included the fin. Some dealers painted the fin only, and sometimes the deck lid recess and or the left and right "side grills" were painted in a contrasting Studebaker color. These usually matched the interior, some were Blue, Gold, Red, or Black and were better looking according to many owners than the factory two-tone paint scheme.

==1959==
For 1959, the Silver Hawk became the only Hawk model in production, largely because Studebaker dealers wanted a glamorous flagship model as a dealership draw. Those customers would more than likely walk out with Studebaker's last-ditch hope, the new [[Studebaker Lark|Lark]] compact. In fact, the Silver Hawk was the only non-Lark model kept. Studebakers were also exported and rebuilt as CKD's (completely Knock Down) to Belgium. Prospects could order whatever model or options (with- or without fins) to suit their preference. Cars were built by [[D'Ieteren|D'Ieteren Frères]] of Belgium for European markets such as the Netherlands where Studebaker was quite popular.

Changes for 1959 included new tailfins, with the "Silver Hawk" script moved to the fins instead of on the trunk lid (where new individual block letters spelling out STUDEBAKER were placed), with a new Hawk badge in between the two words. The parking lights moved to the side grilles from the front fenders, chrome moldings around the windows (from the 1953–1954 models) similar to the Golden Hawk were added, and the interior was somewhere in between the two former models' levels of luxury. Two-tone paint was discontinued for all U.S. orders, though it was still available for export.

[[File:1960 Studebaker Hawk (WLD61).jpg|thumb|left|1960 Studebaker Hawk, export model with the 259 V8]]

Under the hood (at least for U.S. models), buyers could choose the newly-shrunken (to pre-'55 size) 90 HP {{convert|169.6|CID|L|1|abbr=on}} six or the {{convert|259|CID|L|1|abbr=on}} V8 of 180 or 195 HP (depending on the choice of carburetor). The 289 was no longer available.

The 1959 model year was Studebaker's first profitable year in six years, thanks mostly to the Lark, and the rising tide of sales lifted the Silver Hawk, which sold 7,788 examples.

While the Silver Hawk was the only model offered in 1959, it too was dropped for 1960, with all models called simply Hawks. Largely unchanged externally from the 1959, internally, the major change was the return of the {{convert|289|CID|L|1|adj=on}} V8 last used in 1958. This was the only engine available for U.S. orders in both 1960 and 1961, the last year of the finned Hawk. Some six-cylinder and {{convert|259|CID|L|1|abbr=on}} V8 models were built for export markets.

The 1961 models saw the limited return of a second paint color, beige, in a stripe along the base of the fin between the two lower moldings. Interiors gained the option of wide, comfortable bucket seats; customers could opt to team their 289 V8 with a new four-speed [[Borg-Warner]] manual transmission, the same model used in the [[Chevrolet Corvette]].

==1960-61==
[[File:1961 Studebaker Hawk USA August 2013.jpg|alt=White Studebaker Hawk|thumb|Sideview.]]
When the 1960 model year began, U.S. automakers were in the throes of a steel strike, and the shortage of steel hit Studebaker, which was a much smaller company than AMC or the Big Three, particularly hard. The 289 V-8 returned as the standard engine in the Hawk.

Studebaker had a proven sales winner in the 1959 Lark, which was continued into 1960 with little change. With steel in short supply, the company chose to focus on building as many Larks as possible to ensure an adequate supply for the company's dealers. This meant that Silver Hawk production for 1960, which had been scheduled to begin in November or December 1959, was delayed.

Sales of the Lark began to fall off in the closing months of 1959. By the beginning of February 1960, Hawks finally began to roll from the South Bend assembly line.

It isn't known what might have happened had Lark sales continued at their 1959 levels, but speculation has been advanced that the company might not have produced any Hawks. The lengthy delay between new-model announcement time and the start of Hawk production in 1960 shows just how close Studebaker came to not producing a model that they had at least halfheartedly promoted in print advertising and showroom brochures.

The Hawk lived on, and later that year a stock production model won its class in the 1960 [[Mobil Economy Run]], delivering 22.9 miles per gallon.

The Hawk was replaced for 1962 by the restyled (by [[Brooks Stevens]]) [[Studebaker Gran Turismo Hawk]].

==Legacy==
The [[South Bend Cubs|South Bend Silver Hawks]], the former [[minor league baseball]] [[Single-A]] [[Arizona Diamondbacks]] affiliate took its name from this model. Originally the logo and lettering on the teams' uniforms mirrored the logo and lettering on the car, but this has since changed to a more cartoon-esque design. The team was renamed the South Bend Cubs, following the 2014 season.

A Studebaker Hawk was featured as the title character's personal car in the 2012 Australian TV series ''[[Jack Irish]]''.

A Studebaker Hawk was featured in the TV series ''Criminal Minds''. Driven by the antagonist.

The model's name is parodied (as the character Studebaker Hoch) in the Frank Zappa song ''[[Billy the Mountain]]''.

In the [[Roxy Music]] song [[Virginia Plain]] there is also a reference to Studebaker in the lyric ‘Far beyond the pale horizon
Some place near the desert strand
Where my Studebaker takes me
That's where I'll make my stand’

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Studebaker historic timeline}}
{{Studebaker-Packard_Hawk_series}}
{{Studebaker}}

[[Category:Studebaker vehicles|Silver Hawk]]
[[Category:Rear-wheel-drive vehicles]]
[[Category:Coupés]]
[[Category:Cars introduced in 1957]]

Studebaker Scotsman

2025-03-28T17:51:01Z

2604:3D09:96F:B800:3587:E45E:2AC0:2AA3: /* Further reading */

{{More citations needed|date=June 2011}}
{{Infobox automobile
|name=Studebaker Scotsman
|production=1957–1958
|assembly=[[Studebaker Corporation#Studebaker Factories|Studebaker Automotive Plant]], [[South Bend, Indiana]], [[United States]]
|image=1957 Scotsman by Studebaker (2106676027).jpg
|caption = 1957 Scotsman 4-door [[sedan (car)|sedan]]
|class= [[Mid-size car]]
|body_style=2-door [[sedan (car)|sedan]] 4-door [[sedan (car)|sedan]] 2-door [[station wagon]]
|layout= [[FR layout]]
|successor=[[Studebaker Lark]]
|related=[[Studebaker Champion]]
|wheelbase= [[sedan (car)|sedan]]s & [[station wagon]]s: {{convert|116.5|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}
|length= [[sedan (car)|sedan]]s & [[station wagon]]s: {{convert|202.4|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}
|width= [[sedan (car)|sedan]]s & [[station wagon]]s: {{convert|75.8|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}
|engine= {{convert|185|CID|L|1|abbr=on}} L-head I6 {{convert|289|CID|L|1|abbr=on}} OHV V8
}}

The '''Scotsman''' is an automobile series that was produced by the [[Studebaker Packard Corporation]] of [[South Bend, Indiana]], during model years 1957 and 1958, and a low-priced series of pickup trucks in 1958 and 1959. The name was based on the reputation of [[Scotch (adjective)|Scottish frugality]], the cars being built for function and [[minimalism]].<ref name=vance>Vance, Bill [http://www.autos.ca/motoring-memories/motoring-memories-studebaker-scotsman-1957-1958 Motoring Memories: Studebaker Scotsman, 1957-1958] at Autos.ca, August 8, 2008. Accessed 21 January 2014.</ref>

==Car and wagon==
When Studebaker-Packard's financial situation worsened in 1955 and 1956, company leaders decided, rather than meet the "Big Three" automakers head-on, to compete with low-priced, basic transportation. Using the [[Studebaker Champion]]'s two- and four-door sedan and two-door station-wagon bodies, the company created a vehicle which could undercut the prices of minimal-frill competitors the [[Chevrolet 150]], [[Ford Custom]] and [[Plymouth Plaza]]. The Scotsman had features reminiscent of the "blackout" cars of the shortened 1942 model year, from which chrome trim was eliminated by war-materials rationing, though such refinements have been added by latter-day enthusiasts.<ref>[http://www.cruisenewsonline.com/58StudebakerWagon/58StudebakerWagon-Feature.html Roy & Shari Buchanan's 1958 Studebaker Scotsman Wagon] Vol. 11, issue 122 ''Mike Kelly's Cruise News''</ref><ref>Woodcock, Glen [http://www.altonaecho.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3129567 Nothing was more frugal than a Scotsman] at Altonaecho.com</ref>
[[File:Studebaker Scotsman (5510490522).jpg|thumb|left]]
Hubcaps and [[Grille (car)|grille]] were painted; buyers paid extra for a basic recirculating heater for the passenger compartment. Interiors were fitted with painted cardboard panels—gray [[Polyvinyl chloride|vinyl]] being the single standard for upholstery. Rubberized floor coverings replaced carpeting. The only chrome plating was on the front and rear bumpers and some minor interior parts. Painted bumpers were an option to reduce the cost of the car even further. On two-door models, the rear windows were fixed without winders. Standard [[windshield wiper]]s were [[Manifold vacuum#Uses of manifold vacuum|vacuum-powered]], resulting in reduced performance as engine load increased. The only apparent frill was Studebaker's heavily promoted "[[Cyclops]] Eye" speedometer, the same as that used on the 1956 Studebakers. Dealers were instructed to avoid installing extra-cost accessories, on the rationale that a buyer who wanted frills on an economical car could buy a regular Champion for an extra $200 (equal to ${{Inflation|US|200|1957|fmt=c}} today).

Priced below the competition from $1,776 (equal to ${{Inflation|US|1776|1957|fmt=c}} today) for the two-door sedan, Scotsman sales were projected at 4,000 cars for the short 1957 model year. In fact, over 9,000 were sold—not only to frugal or low-budget customers but also to wealthy notables such as former [[First Lady of the United States|First Lady]] [[Eleanor Roosevelt]].{{Citation needed|date=June 2011}} For, despite its austerity, the Scotsman delivered exceptional value and economy. The small six-cylinder engine delivered a claimed {{convert|30|mpgus|L/100 km mpgimp|abbr=on}} of gasoline when the overdrive transmission was chosen. This was unheard-of mileage for a car of its size in 1957, although it came at a price: With only {{convert|101|hp|kW|abbr=on}}, the Scotsman was by no means a high performance car. It took about 20 seconds to reach {{convert|60|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} from rest, at a time when 10-second 0-60 mph times were becoming more common, even among the low-priced field. However, it appears that few complained about poor performance in the early days of the Interstate highway.

Following up on the initial success of the first Scotsman, the 1958 models were little changed. A slightly altered grille and round taillamp lenses were adopted, which allowed the company to keep prices as low as possible. Although the 1958 Champion received added-on tailfins in the back and fender-mounted pods up front to accept four headlamps (two per side) as was the trend in '58, the Scotsman remained finless in the rear and kept the two headlamp system. Promotional materials now referred to the "Studebaker Scotsman" rather than "Studebaker Champion Scotsman", a promotion of sorts from a sub-series to a model in its own right.

In a push to increase fleet sales, Studebaker also offered the Econ-o-miler in 1958, based on the body of the {{convert|120.5|in|mm|abbr=on}} wheelbase President sedan. The Econ-o-miler used the Scotsman's frugal exterior and interior elements and was pushed as a [[taxicab|taxi]] model. In addition, Studebaker's police-package cars in 1958 were often Scotsmans with [[Studebaker Commander|Commander]] and [[Studebaker President|President]] [[V8 engine|V-8]] engines.{{Citation needed|date=June 2011}}

The Scotsman continued its success in 1958, outselling the Champion, Commander and President lines combined. The Scotsman proved that Studebaker need not attempt to follow the styling trends of the rest of the industry. Building on the Scotsman's clean-lined look, Studebaker engineers and designers quickly and cheaply created a new compact car for 1959, the [[Studebaker Lark|Lark]], not as austere as the Scotsman, but able to seat six adults in a package markedly different from its competitors at the time.

==Pickup truck==
[[File:1959 Studebaker Scotsman 4E3, front right, 08-06-2023.jpg|thumb|1959 Studebaker Scotsman truck]]
To serve a target market for a low-priced, basic [[pickup truck]], Studebaker produced a Scotsman truck based on the lines of the 1949-53 style of grille and front-end sheetmetal, with a few modifications. Most trucks in the 1950s had as standard one tail-lamp, one interior sun visor, one windshield wiper, and one arm-rest—all on the driver's side. The Scotsman followed this philosophy with one exception: there was no arm-rest. Externally, the Scotsman had simple plaid decals and no chrome trim.

Stripping to a more basic level allowed Studebaker to advertise the lowest-priced pickup in the U.S. in 1958; it cost less than $1,500 to drive home a standard Scotsman pickup. The model sold reasonably well, though the general car and truck market was down in 1958.{{Citation needed|date=June 2011}}

The Scotsman truck, unlike the car, was continued in 1959, exchanging its plaid decal nameplates for chromed "S" and "Studebaker" emblems. An inexpensive "Deluxe Equipment Group" enabled buyers to fit their Scotsmans with the same grille and front sheetmetal as the regular Studebaker trucks. Two new models were added as well, although these were comprised simply of additional engines from which to choose. More pickups were sold than the standard "Deluxe" line.{{Citation needed|date=June 2011}}

The Scotsman was replaced for the 1960 model year by the [[Studebaker Champ]] pickup, which was based on the same truck chassis but with a cab derived from the contemporary Lark four-door sedan.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
*''The Standard Catalogue of American Cars 1946-1975'', John Gunnell, Editor. Kraus Publications, 1987. {{ISBN|0-87341-096-3}}
*''Studebaker Cars'' James H. Moloney. Crestline Books, 1994. {{ISBN|0-87938-884-6}}
*''Studebaker, The Postwar Years'' Richard Langworth. Motorbooks International, 1979. {{ISBN|0-87938-058-6}}
{{commons category|Studebaker Scotsman}}
{{Studebaker}}
{{Studebaker historic timeline}}

[[Category:Studebaker vehicles|Scotsman]]
[[Category:Coupés]]
[[Category:Pickup trucks]]
[[Category:Rear-wheel-drive vehicles]]
[[Category:Cars introduced in 1958]]
[[Category:Cars discontinued in 1959]]
[[Category:Ethnic and racial stereotypes]]