View source for Packard Hawk

{{Infobox automobile
| name = Packard Hawk
| image = 1958 Packard Hawk (8942122014).jpg
| caption = 
| manufacturer = [[Packard]] ([[Studebaker-Packard Corporation|Studebaker-Packard]])
| aka = 
| production = 
| model_years = 1958
| assembly = [[Studebaker Corporation#Studebaker Factories|Studebaker Automotive Plant]], [[South Bend, Indiana]], [[United States]]
| designer = 
| body_style = 2-door [[hardtop]] [[personal luxury car]]
| layout = [[Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout|Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive]]
| platform = 
| related = {{unbulleted list|[[Studebaker Flight Hawk]]|[[Studebaker Golden Hawk]]|[[Studebaker Gran Turismo Hawk]]|[[Studebaker Hawk]]|[[Studebaker Power Hawk]]|[[Studebaker Silver Hawk]]|[[Studebaker Sky Hawk]]}}
| engine = {{convert|289|cuin|L|1|abbr=on}} [[V8 engine|V8]]
| transmission = 3-speed ''Flightomatic'' [[Automatic transmission|automatic]]
| wheelbase = {{convert|120.5|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}
| length = {{convert|205.2|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}
| width = {{convert|71.3|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}
| height = {{convert|54.6|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}
| weight = {{convert|3470|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}}
| predecessor = 
| successor = 
| sp = us
}}

The '''Packard Hawk''' is a model of automobile. It was the sportiest of the four [[Packard]]-badged [[Studebaker]]s produced in 1958, the final year of Packard production.

==History and description==
The [[Packard Automotive Plant|Packard Plant]] in [[Detroit]], [[Michigan]] had been leased to [[Curtiss-Wright]] (and would be soon sold to them), and Packard models in this dying-gasp year were all rebadged and retrimmed Studebaker products. The 1958 Packard Hawk was essentially a [[Studebaker Golden Hawk]] 400 with a fiberglass front end and modified deck lid. It was positioned as an alternative to the market favorite [[Ford Thunderbird#Ford Thunderbird (second generation)|Ford Thunderbird]], which offered an all-new version in 1958 as well.

Instead of the Studebaker Hawk's upright Mercedes-style grille, the Packard Hawk had a wide, low opening just above the front bumper and covering the whole width of the car. Above this, a smoothly sloping nose, and hood—reminiscent of the 1953 Studebakers, but with a bulge as on the Golden Hawk—accommodating the engine's [[Paxton Automotive|McCulloch supercharger]] that gave the Studebaker 289 in³ (4.7 L) V8 a total of 275 [[Horsepower#Brake horsepower|bhp]] (205&nbsp;kW). At the rear, the sides of the fins were coated in metallized [[PET film (biaxially oriented)|PET film]], giving them a shiny metallic gold appearance. A fake spare-tire bulge adorned the 1953-style Studebaker deck lid. ''PACKARD'' appeared across the nose, with a gold Packard emblem in script—along with a Hawk badge—on the trunk lid and fins.

The interior was full leather, with full instrumentation in an engine-turned dash. As on early aircraft and custom boats, padded armrests were mounted outside the windows, a rare touch.

The styling was definitely controversial, often described as 'vacuum-cleaner' or 'catfish' by detractors. The styling has come to be appreciated more today than in its debut.{{According to whom|date=August 2025}} Only 588 were sold, with Packard's impending demise a likely contributing factor. Most were equipped with the [[BorgWarner|Borg-Warner]] three-speed automatic transmission. Approximately 28 were produced with the B-W T85 3-speed w/overdrive manual transmission. Studebaker-Packard was the first manufacturer to popularize the [[limited slip differential]], which they termed Twin-Traction. Most Packard Hawks came with TT. It was certainly the fastest Packard ever sold, since it shared the majority of its components with Studebaker's Golden Hawk. The price was $3995, about $700 higher than the Studebaker model, but with a more luxurious interior. Electric window-lifts and power seats were optional extras.

Its rarity and status as the best-regarded of the 'Packardbaker' final-year cars have made the Packard Hawk quite collectible. Values are roughly double those of the equivalent Studebaker, although they are still low by comparison with Corvettes and Thunderbirds. Because a Studebaker drivetrain was used, mechanical parts are more readily available, although body and trim parts are more difficult-to-impossible to find. While it is a unique car, current restoration costs almost always exceed the selling price.{{Citation needed|date=August 2025}}

<gallery widths=200 heights=145>
1958PackardHawk.jpg|1958 Packard Hawk
1958PackardHawk2.jpg|Rear view of 1958 Hawk
1958 Packard Hawk Convertible.jpg|1958 Packard Hawk convertible prototype
</gallery>

== Specifications ==
;Engine
*Type: Cast iron 90° V8, Silver Light dish-type pistons
*Displacement: 289 cubic inches
*Bore X stroke: 3.56 X 3.63&nbsp;inches
*Compression ratio: 7.5:1
*Power at rpm: 275&nbsp;hp (205&nbsp;kW) at 4,800 rpm
*Torque at rpm: {{convert|333|lbft|abbr=on}} at 3,200 rpm
*Valvetrain: In-head valves, solid lifters
*Main bearings: 5
*Ignition: Delco-Remy breaker-point
*Fuel system: 2-bbl Stromberg 380475 downdraft carburetor, McCulloch [[supercharge]]r, {{convert|5|psi|abbr=on}} max
*Lubrication system: Full-pressure, gear-driven
*Electrical system: 12-volt, 30 amperes
*Exhaust system: Cast iron, dual exhaust

;Transmission
*Type: Borg-Warner Flightomatic automatic
*Ratios
**1st: 2.40:1
**2nd: 1.47:1
**3rd: 1.0:1
**Reverse: 2.0:1

;Differential
* Type: Semi-floating hypoid, Twin-Traction Spicer-Thornton [[limited slip differential|limited slip]]
* Ratio: 3.31:1

;Steering
* Type: Power assist, Saginaw recirculating ball
* Ratio: 19.2:1
* Turns, [[lock-to-lock]]: 4.5
* Turning circle: {{convert|41|ft|abbr=on}}

;Brakes
* Type: Four wheel, power-assist Wagner hydraulic
* Front: Cast-iron finned drum, 11 X 2.5 in
* Rear: Cast-iron drum, 10 X 2 in
* Swept area: 172.8 sq in

;Chassis & Body
* Construction: All-steel, box section, double-drop side rails, 5 crossmembers
* Body style: Two-door, five passenger hardtop, soft top prototype
* Layout: Front engine, rear-wheel drive

;Suspension
* Front: Individual unequal-length upper and lower control arms, coil springs, hydraulic shocks, anti-sway bar
* Rear: Live axle, semi-elliptic leaf springs, hydraulic shocks

;Wheels & Tires
* Wheels: Kelsey-Hays tubeless 5-lug stamped steel
* Front/rear: 5.5 X 14 in 
* Tires: Classic bias-ply
* Front/rear: 8.00 X 14 in

;Weights & Measures
* Wheelbase: {{convert|120.5|in|cm|abbr=on}}
* Overall length: {{convert|205.2|in|cm|abbr=on}}
* Overall width: {{convert|71.3|in|cm|abbr=on}}
* Overall height: {{convert|54.6|in|cm|abbr=on}}
* Front track: {{convert|56.7|in|cm|abbr=on}}
* Rear track: {{convert|55.7|in|cm|abbr=on}}
* Shipping weight: {{convert|3,470|lb|abbr=on}}

;Capacities
* Crankcase: {{convert|5|USqt|L|abbr=on}}
* Cooling system: {{convert|17|USqt|L|abbr=on}}
* Fuel tank: {{convert|18|gal|L|abbr=on}}
* Transmission: {{convert|19|USpt|L|abbr=on}}

;Calculated Data
* Bhp per c.i.d.: 0.95
* Weight per bhp: {{convert|12.62|lb|abbr=on}}

;Performance
* 0–60&nbsp;mph (97&nbsp;km/h): 12.0 seconds
* ¼ mile ET: 16.7 seconds at {{convert|82.3|mph|abbr=on}}
* Top speed: {{convert|125|mph|abbr=on}}
* Fuel mileage: 12 mpg city, 20 mpg highway

;Production
* 1958 Packard Hawk: 588

==Sources==
* {{cite book| editor-last= Kimes| editor-first= Beverly Rae| title= Packard, a history of the motor car and the company| edition= General |year= 1978| publisher= Automobile Quarterly| isbn= 0-915038-11-0}}
* {{cite book| last= Dawes| first= Nathaniel D.| title= The Packard: 1942–1962| publisher= A.S. Barnes & Co. Inc.|place= Cranbury, New Jersey| year= 1975| isbn= 0-498-01353-7}}
* {{cite book| editor-last= Patrick| editor-first= Mark A. | title= Packard Motor Cars 1946-1958 Photo Archive| publisher=  Iconographix|place= Osceola, Wisconsin| year= 1996| isbn= 1-882256-45-X}}
* {{cite book| last= Clarke| first= R. M.| title= Packard Gold Portfolio 1946–1958| date= September 1988| publisher= Motorbooks International| isbn=  1-870642-19-8}}
* {{cite encyclopedia| encyclopedia= Encyclopedia of American Cars from 1930| title= Packard Hawk| author= ((Editors of ''Consumer’s Guide''))| publisher= Publications International |year= 1993| isbn= 0-7853-0175-5}}
* {{cite book| last= Burness| first= Tad| title= American Car Spotter's Guide, 1940–65| year= 1978| publisher= Motorbooks International| isbn= 0-87938-057-8| url-access= registration| url= https://archive.org/details/americancarspott0000burn}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Packard Hawk}}
* [http://www.packardclub.org Packard Automobile Classics, Inc. - The Packard Club]
* [http://packardinfo.com/xoops/html/modules/myalbum/photo.php?lid=9132 Packard Motor Car Information]
* [http://www.packardmuseum.org Homepage of the National Packard Museum]

{{Studebaker-Packard Hawk series}}
{{Packard}}

<!-- Categories -->
[[Category:Packard vehicles|Hawk]]
[[Category:Coupés]]
[[Category:Cars introduced in 1958]]
[[Category:Rear-wheel-drive vehicles]]