Packard Hawk 1958: A Classic Born to Be a Collectible

Collectible Legacy - Cars have always carried stories beyond their engines, and sometimes those stories are what make them unforgettable. In the world of automobiles, certain models rise above being just machines; they become time capsules, symbols of ambition, and eventually, rare collectibles. Among those few that instantly fell into this category is a striking American sports car from 1958 that was as bold as it was short-lived: the Packard Hawk.

The 1958 Packard Hawk was distinguished in key ways by its designer, with a fiberglass front end and modified deck cover to look like a typical American 4-seater sports car. (Picture from: VaultClassicCars)

The late 1950s were a fascinating era in the U.S. auto industry, with manufacturers pushing design boundaries and introducing powerful personal cars. Ford had just updated its Thunderbird, and Packard—already struggling to stay relevant—decided to offer its own contender. The answer was the Hawk, a model that was unlike anything Packard had built before. Ironically, it would also be one of the company’s last efforts, making it even more unique. Production lasted for only a single year, with just 588 examples ever rolling off the assembly line, immediately giving it the aura of exclusivity.

The Packard Hawk is appeared beautifully finished in Parchment white with gold trim on the tailfin. (Picture from: Wikipedia)

The Packard Hawk wasn’t born in isolation. Its creation was rooted in the vision of Roy T. Hurley, president of Curtiss-Wright Corporation, who had taken control of Packard’s operations in 1953. Determined not to let the historic brand collapse, he continued production in Detroit for a few years while merging with Studebaker. By 1957, Packard cars were built at the South Bend, Indiana facility, though by then the brand was struggling with its reputation. 

The 1958 Packard Hawk is the essence of the 1950’s beauty, with flashy trim, tailfins, a hardtop, and a powerful supercharged engine. (Picture from: VaultClassicCars)

Loyal fans dismissed the lower-quality mid-1950s models as “Packardbakers,” a name that reflected the uneasy marriage of Packard and Studebaker designs. Hurley, however, believed a halo car could change perceptions. His own custom two-door hardtop served as the inspiration for the Hawk, designed by Duncan McRae as a luxurious yet sporty four-seater. Packard marketed it as a “Family Sports Car,” and production officially began in January 1957 for the 1958 model year.

The 1958 Packard Hawk cabin covered by a beautiful genuine leather with full instrumentation in an engine-turned dash. (Picture from: VaultClassicCars)

Visually, the Packard Hawk carried echoes of Studebaker’s Golden Hawk but with dramatic differences. Up front, instead of the Golden Hawk’s Mercedes-like grille, the Hawk featured a wide, low opening stretching across the bumper line, paired with a sloping nose and hood that hinted back to Packard’s earlier styling cues.  

The 1958 Packard Hawk uses a Studebaker 289  V-8 engine coupled with McCulloch supercharger. (Picture from: VaultClassicCars)

Its fiberglass front end was daring for the time, while at the rear, metallic PET film gave the tailfins a brilliant gold finish. A fake spare tire bulge added character to the deck lid, while bold Packard lettering and golden emblems reminded everyone of the name’s prestige. 

The 1958 Packard Hawk has a wide and low opening just above the front bumper and covers the entire width of the car underneath and the top has a sloping nose and hood. (Picture from: VaultClassicCars)

Inside, the car delivered on luxury. Genuine leather covered the seats, the dash was engine-turned for a sporty flair, and the cockpit was fully instrumented, making it feel closer to an aircraft than a car. Details such as padded armrests mounted outside the windows—an unusual feature even by today’s standards—underscored how much thought went into making the Hawk stand apart.

The 1958 Packard Hawk's rear end featured with dual antennas and dual exhausts. (Picture from: VaultClassicCars)

Of course, style without performance would never do. Under the hood was a supercharged 4.7-liter V8 engine, paired with a BorgWarner Flight-O-Matic automatic transmission. Power steering and power brakes came standard, ensuring that this car wasn’t just a showpiece but a capable high-speed cruiser. For its era, it was a bold combination of speed, comfort, and flair.

The 1958 Packard Hawk has a unique fake spare tire protrusions adorning the rear deck cover. (Picture from: Wikipedia)

Yet despite all its strengths, the Packard Hawk arrived at the wrong time. The Packard brand itself was fading, and no amount of chrome or horsepower could turn back the clock. After 1958, Packard disappeared from the automotive landscape for good, leaving the Hawk as both a swan song and a rare gem for collectors.

Today, the Packard Hawk isn’t just remembered as a car—it represents a final burst of creativity from a once-proud automaker that refused to go quietly. With fewer than 600 ever built, it remains one of the most distinctive American sports cars of the 1950s, a machine that was truly born to be collectible. *** [EKA [10012021] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | WIKIPEDIA | MYDREAMCARONLINE | VAULT CLASSIC CARS ]

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