1959 Studebaker Silver Hawk

Personal luxury powered by 1959 Studebaker Silver Hawk six and 259 V8 family.

Exact-year stock-presenting view retained for body, trim, glass, lamp, bumper, and wheel context; condition and restoration details remain specific to the photographed car.

Body Two-door pillared coupe

Engines 169.6-cid six or 259-cid V8

Output 90, 180, or reported 195 gross hp

Production 7,788

Wheelbase 120.5 inches

Story

1959 Studebaker Silver Hawk

The Silver Hawk became Studebaker's sole Hawk for 1959. It remained a pillared two-door coupe and offered either the 169.6-cubic-inch Champion six or the 259-cubic-inch V8. Studebaker National Museum reports 2,417 six-cylinder and 5,371 V8 cars.

Powertrain

The six produced 90 gross horsepower. The V8 was rated at 180 gross horsepower, with a four-barrel and dual-exhaust Power Kit reported at 195. Manual, overdrive, and Flight-O-Matic paths require matching controls, axle, cooling, dates, and records.

Chassis and body

Independent coil-spring front suspension, a leaf-sprung live rear axle, and four-wheel drums supported the coupe. Power assists, Twin-Traction, wheels, tires, springs, dampers, and finish treatment varied by order.

Identity

Start with serial and body records, title, shell, and ownership history. Then reconcile engine-series evidence, induction, transmission, axle, brakes, suspension, protected finish, upholstery, instruments, trim, and dates. Fins, scripts, a V8 swap, or a two-tone repaint cannot establish factory identity.

**Exact-year stock-presenting view retained for body, trim, glass, lamp, bumper, and wheel context; condition and restoration details remain specific to the photographed car.**Don O'Brien via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0

Price history

Values

Nominal dollars from original price sheets, auction archives, and approved value references.

Original Price

Base MSRP $2,360

1959 Silver Hawk Six base price (1959)
Published model price before delivery and options.
1959 Studebaker Hawks
Base MSRP $2,495

1959 Silver Hawk V8 base price (1959)
Published model price before delivery and options.
1959 Studebaker Hawks

Values move with paperwork, originality, options, condition, venue, and body style. High bids and guide values are labeled separately from completed sales.

Reference records

Options, Colors & Components

Source-backed details for trim, chassis, production, and authenticity.

Engine Details

Champion Six 169.6 cu in; single-barrel; 90 gross hp · 1959 Silver Hawk Six · engine assembly / specification
259 V8 259 cu in; two-barrel; 180 gross hp · 1959 Silver Hawk V8 · engine assembly / specification
Power Kit V8 259 cu in; four-barrel and dual exhaust; reported 195 gross hp · 1959 Silver Hawk V8 where ordered · engine assembly / specification
Power Kit induction Four-barrel carburetor, intake, dual exhaust, and matching calibration · 1959 Silver Hawk V8 · carburetor / specification

Transmission

Factory transmission Three-speed manual
Factory transmission Three-speed manual with overdrive
Factory transmission Flight-O-Matic automatic

Options

Engines and Induction summarized from reviewed factory and marque references.Classic Muscle · Reference illustration

OD Manual overdrive factory · performance · Transmission, controls, axle ratio, and records must agree.
FLIGHT-O-MATIC Flight-O-Matic automatic factory · performance · Case, controls, cooling, axle, and records remain application-specific.
POWER-KIT V8 Power Kit factory · performance · Four-barrel, intake, exhaust, engine, and records must reconcile.
TWIN-TRACTION Twin-Traction differential factory · performance · Carrier, ratio, housing, and records define one installation.
POWER-BRAKES Power brake assist factory · safety · Assist does not prove original brake hardware.

Paint

Close exact-year view of the Silver Hawk script, rear fin, lamp bezel, bright trim, and black paint finish; condition and restoration details remain specific to the photographed car.Greg Gjerdingen via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0

P-59-BLACK Midnight Black factory · solid
P-59-WHITE Arctic White factory · solid
P-59-RED Regal Red factory · solid
P-59-BLUE Tahiti Blue factory · solid
P-59-GREEN Oasis Green factory · solid
P-59-SILVER Silver Metallic factory · solid

Production

Transmissions summarized from reviewed factory and marque references.Classic Muscle · Reference illustration

1959 Studebaker Silver Hawk total · 7,788 · reported
Champion Six by engine · 2,417 · reported
259 V8 by engine · 5,371 · reported

Authenticity

Rear Axle and Ratios summarized from reviewed factory and marque references.Classic Muscle · Reference illustration

Model-year identity 1959 Silver Hawk pillared coupe identity with serial, body, engine-series, transmission, and trim evidence that agrees · VIN or serial plate, body or trim plate, chassis, title, build records, and ownership history · fraud detection
Engine and transmission Configuration-correct engine, induction, transmission, controls, stampings, castings, and dates · Engine, induction, gearbox, shifter, pedals, stamp pads, castings, dates, and records · numbers matching
Axle, brakes, and suspension Application-correct axle, ratio, brake system, steering, springs, links, and dampers · Axle housing and carrier, brakes, steering, suspension, dates, service records, and build evidence · date correctness
Paint, exterior trim, and cabin Plate- and record-supported finish, moldings, badges, wheels, upholstery, instruments, and controls · Body and trim plates, protected paint, upholstery, hardware, dashboard, and restoration records · trim correctness

Still Researching

production No audited public ledger reconciles production by transmission, Power Kit, axle, paint combination, trim, options, build date, and survivor status.
paint colors Reviewed references establish representative factory colors but not a complete body, trim, stripe, special-order, plant, and build-date compatibility matrix.
interior Broad cabin equipment is documented, but the complete upholstery color, material, body, option, and production-date matrix is not publicly reconciled.
authenticity markers Public model references cannot prove one survivor's born-with shell, drivetrain, chassis components, paint, trim, options, or component dates.