1956 · Studebaker · United States
1956 Studebaker Hawk
The first year of the Hawk family: four models from the 101 hp Flight Hawk to the Golden Hawk, which carried Packard's 352 V8 at 275 hp. 4,071 Golden Hawks were built.
United States · researched through 2026-09-23
Studebaker launched the Hawk for 1956 as four models sharing a 120.5-inch wheelbase and a Mercedes-Benz-inspired grille: the Flight Hawk pillared coupe with the 185 six, the Power Hawk pillared coupe with the 259 V8, the Sky Hawk hardtop with the 289 V8, and the top Golden Hawk hardtop, which carried Packard's own 352 V8 at 275 hp and small fiberglass tail fins. 1956 was the only year a Packard engine went into the Hawk; the 1957 and 1958 Golden Hawks instead used a supercharged Studebaker 289.1,2,3
The Studebaker National Museum gives 7,095 Power Hawks, 4,949 Flight Hawks, 4,071 Golden Hawks, and 3,050 Sky Hawks. The Flight Hawk figure is itself disputed: a second source states its own total as 4,946, even though that same source's own coupe count (4,389) and export/Canada/special-order hardtop count (560) sum to 4,949, three more than its stated total; this record leads with the museum's 4,949, which the second source's own components support, while noting the discrepant stated 4,946.1,2
Where the Golden Hawks were built is likewise disputed. Old Cars Weekly reports "all but 61" built at South Bend, while a 1996 tabulation of the original production orders, keyed to serial-number ranges, finds 3,470 built at South Bend and 601 assembled at Los Angeles, with no Canadian production at all. This record leads with the production-order tabulation, since it reconciles exactly to the 4,071 total and cites specific serial ranges (South Bend 6030001-6033472, less two scrapped cars; Los Angeles 6800001-6800601), without assuming the "61" figure is simply a dropped digit.3,4
Two further Golden Hawk figures are disputed without either source naming a factory record: the base price, $3,065 (museum) against $3,061 (a specialist site), and the curb weight, 3,360 lb against a separately reported "about 3,690 lb," with neither source stating its weighing basis. The Sky Hawk's 289 is similarly disputed between 210 hp (museum, plus 15 hp with the optional four-barrel and dual exhaust) and a "190 or 210 hp" reading from the second source; this record shows 210 hp as the rating both agree on.1,2,3
The 1996 production-order tabulation gives far more precise Golden Hawk detail than either narrative source: 3,287 cars with Twin Ultramatic automatic against 786 with the three-speed manual and overdrive, 2,361 with power steering, 1,820 with power brakes, and just one car built with air conditioning despite period literature stating it was not offered on 1956 Hawks at all. Smaller-count options ran from a single metric speedometer order and 166 heavy-duty spring-and-shock orders up to 3,972 cars with directional signals and 3,726 with whitewall tires, all counted against the same 4,073 production orders. The most common paint combination was Ceramic Green over Snowcap White at 791 cars, followed by Sunglow Gold over Snowcap White at 722; a Mocha-and-Doeskin two-tone at 363 cars is independently reported by both Old Cars Weekly (citing an owner-researcher) and the 1996 tabulation with matching plant-level counts, though this record treats the agreement as probably one shared research lineage rather than two independent counts. Export shipments totaled 239 against other reports of 241, and Canadian shipments 49 against other reports of 51, discrepancies the tabulation's own author flags without fully resolving.4,3
Fact sheet · 1956 · United States
The numbers
1956 Studebaker Hawk — The first year of the Hawk family: four models from the 101 hp Flight Hawk to the Golden Hawk, which carried Packard's 352 V8 at 275 hp. 4,071 Golden Hawks were built.
Coverage: Partial — researched sections are shown; missing ones are not yet sourced. Researched through 2026-09-23.
Every figure is labeled with how sure we are. Reported means a manufacturer, registry, or reference figure we cite but have not reconciled against factory records ourselves. Disputed means credible sources disagree and both are shown. Rows are separately scoped; don't add them together unless the note says they make up a total.
Key facts
- Golden Hawk: 4,071 built, all but 61 at South Bend.3,1,2
- The Golden Hawk's 352 was a Packard engine. With automatic transmission it used Packard's Twin Ultramatic; the Sky Hawk used Borg-Warner's Flightomatic.2,5
- Old Cars Weekly reports, attributing the figure to an owner-researcher, that 363 Golden Hawks were painted Mocha and Doeskin.3
- 560 Flight Hawk hardtops (56G-K7) were built for export (499), Canada (52) and US special order (9).2
- A 1996 tabulation of the 1956 Golden Hawk production orders counts 3,470 built at South Bend and 601 assembled at Los Angeles, 3,287 with Twin Ultramatic and 786 with overdrive, and 2,361 with power steering.4
- The most common 1956 Golden Hawk paint was P5641 Ceramic Green over Snowcap White (791 cars), then P5636 Sunglow Gold over Snowcap White (722).4
Production
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Golden Hawk (56J-K7 hardtop)1,3,2 Golden Hawk · 2-door hardtop · 352 V8 (Packard) · all plants | 4,071 | built, model-year | Reported |
| Power Hawk (coupe)1,2 Power Hawk · 2-door coupe · 259 V8 · not stated | 7,095 | built, model-year | Reported |
| Sky Hawk (56H-K7 hardtop)1,2 Sky Hawk · 2-door hardtop · 289 V8 · not stated | 3,050 | built, model-year | Reported |
| Flight Hawk, all bodies1 Flight Hawk · coupe and export hardtop · 185 six · all markets 1956goldenhawk.com states 4,946, but its own coupe (4,389) and hardtop (560) figures add to 4,949. See conflicts. | 4,949 | built, model-year | Disputed |
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Golden Hawks built outside South Bend3 Golden Hawk · 2-door hardtop · 352 V8 · plants other than South Bend (not named) The 1996 production-order tabulation gives 601 Los Angeles-assembled cars; see conflicts. | 61 | built, model-year | Disputed |
| Golden Hawk built at South Bend4 Golden Hawk · 2-door hardtop · 352 V8 (Packard) · South Bend, Indiana Production-order tabulation. Serials 6030001-6033472 less two scrapped cars. | 3,470 | built, model-year | Reported |
| Golden Hawk assembled at Los Angeles (Vernon)4 Golden Hawk · 2-door hardtop · 352 V8 (Packard) · Los Angeles (Vernon), California The guide finds no Canadian (Hamilton) production. Conflicts with Old Cars Weekly's 'all but 61' at South Bend; see conflicts. | 601 | built, model-year | Reported |
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flight Hawk, stated total (1956goldenhawk.com)2 Flight Hawk · coupe and export hardtop · 185 six · all markets The site's own explicitly stated total; its own coupe (4,389) and export/Canada/special-order hardtop (560, see the row above) figures sum to 4,949, 3 more than this stated total. Not reconciled by the source. | 4,946 | built, model-year | Disputed |
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flight Hawk coupe (56G-C3)2 Flight Hawk · 2-door coupe · 185 six · not stated | 4,389 | built, model-year | Reported |
| Flight Hawk hardtop (56G-K7), export, Canadian and special order2 Flight Hawk · 2-door hardtop · 185 six · export 499, Canada 52, US special order 9 The footnote gives the destinations as 499 export, 52 Canada and 9 US special order, which add to 560. | 560 | built, model-year | Reported |
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Golden Hawk with three-speed manual and overdrive4 Golden Hawk · 2-door hardtop · 352 V8 (Packard) · three-speed manual with overdrive · all plants Counts are over 4,073 production orders, including the two scrapped cars. With power steering 192, without 594 (p. 34). | 786 | built, model-year | Reported |
| Golden Hawk with Twin Ultramatic automatic4 Golden Hawk · 2-door hardtop · 352 V8 (Packard) · Twin Ultramatic · all plants Counts are over 4,073 production orders, including the two scrapped cars; the two transmission rows sum to 4,073. | 3,287 | built, model-year | Reported |
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Golden Hawk exported (excluding Canada)4 Golden Hawk · 2-door hardtop · 352 V8 (Packard) · export The author notes other reports of 241 and could account for only 239; one car (6033430) was diverted from export to domestic. | 239 | built, model-year | Reported |
| Golden Hawk shipped to Canada4 Golden Hawk · 2-door hardtop · 352 V8 (Packard) · Canada (Hamilton, Ontario destination) Other reports give 51; car 6032229 was re-destined from Hamilton to Murray, Utah. | 49 | built, model-year | Reported |
Rows are separately scoped. The museum's four model rows are not stated as a partition of any Hawk total. The museum describes 'just over 80,000' Hawks across 1956-64.
No engine-by-transmission, color (beyond the one reported color count) or trim counts were found.
The Golden Hawk plant, transmission, export and Canada rows come from Frank Ambrogio's 1996 tabulation of the original production orders. The transmission rows count 4,073 orders (two scrapped cars included) and partition that count; the plant rows partition the 4,071 built.
Prices when new
| Model | Price | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Golden Hawk1 | $3,065 | base price as tabulated by the museum, 1956 model year |
| Sky Hawk1,2 | $2,477 | base price, 1956 model year |
| Power Hawk1,2 | $2,101 | base price, 1956 model year |
| Flight Hawk1,2 | $1,986 | base price, 1956 model year |
Prices are the nominal dollars of the day, not adjusted for inflation.
Engines
| Engine | Factory rating | Availability | Built |
|---|---|---|---|
| 352 V8 (Packard), Golden Hawk1,3 352 cu in · not stated in the sources read | 275 hp (SAE gross (period advertised)) | Golden Hawk standard | Not yet sourced |
| 289 V8, Sky Hawk1 289 cu in · 2-barrel; 4-barrel with dual exhaust optional | 210 hp (SAE gross (period advertised)) | Sky Hawk standard | Not yet sourced |
| 259 V8, Power Hawk1,2 259 cu in · 2-barrel; 4-barrel with dual exhaust optional | 170 hp (SAE gross (period advertised)); 185 hp (SAE gross (period advertised); four-barrel and dual exhaust) | Power Hawk standard | Not yet sourced |
| 185 six, Flight Hawk1 185 cu in · not stated in the sources read | 101 hp (SAE gross (period advertised)) | Flight Hawk standard | Not yet sourced |
Ratings are the manufacturer's advertised figures under the standard shown (SAE gross before 1972, SAE net after). They are not dyno results, and gross and net ratings can't be compared directly.
Transmissions
| Transmission | Availability | Built |
|---|---|---|
| Packard Twin Ultramatic automatic (Golden Hawk)2,3 | optional, Golden Hawk | Not yet sourced |
| Borg-Warner Flightomatic automatic (Sky Hawk)2 | optional, Sky Hawk | Not yet sourced |
| Manual with overdrive (Golden Hawk)5 | Golden Hawk; engine number series K denotes overdrive cars | Not yet sourced |
Options and packages
| Code | Option | Price | Installed |
|---|---|---|---|
(35)production-order equipment code |
Power steering (Golden Hawk)4 | — | 2,3614 Reported |
(51)production-order equipment code |
Power brakes (Golden Hawk)4 | — | 1,8204 Reported |
(18)production-order equipment code |
Power seat (Golden Hawk)4 | — | 3454 Reported |
(20)production-order equipment code |
Power windows (Golden Hawk)4 | — | 4884 Reported |
(23)production-order equipment code |
Tinted glass (Golden Hawk)4 | — | 2,1634 Reported |
(55)production-order equipment code |
Whitewall tires (Golden Hawk)4 | — | 3,7264 Reported |
(61)production-order equipment code |
Directional signals (Golden Hawk)4 | — | 3,9724 Reported |
(16)production-order equipment code |
Air conditioning (one production order; the author notes literature says A/C was not offered on 1956 Hawks)4 | — | 14 Reported |
(42)production-order equipment code |
Heavy-duty springs and shocks (Golden Hawk)4 | — | 1664 Reported |
AC-2747 (66)production-order equipment code |
Stratoline automatic-tuning radio (Golden Hawk)4 | — | 2,9794 Reported |
AC-2748 (65)production-order equipment code |
Starline manual-tuning radio (Golden Hawk)4 | — | 2254 Reported |
AC-2756 (74)production-order equipment code |
Electric clock kit (Golden Hawk)4 | — | 3,6104 Reported |
AC-2750 (75)production-order equipment code |
Cigar lighter (Golden Hawk)4 | — | 3,6944 Reported |
AC-2762 (70)production-order equipment code |
Back-up lamp kit (Golden Hawk)4 | — | 2,7854 Reported |
AC-2769 (60)production-order equipment code |
Climatizer and defroster kit (Golden Hawk)4 | — | 3,4884 Reported |
AC-2774 (71)production-order equipment code |
Windshield washer kit (Golden Hawk)4 | — | 1,8954 Reported |
AC-2738 (62)production-order equipment code |
Full-disc 15-inch hub caps (Golden Hawk)4 | — | 3,2784 Reported |
AC-2425 (63)production-order equipment code |
Wire-wheel hub caps (Golden Hawk)4 | — | 1034 Reported |
AC-2799 (81)production-order equipment code |
Spoke-type hub caps (Golden Hawk)4 | — | 2354 Reported |
AC-2688 (68)production-order equipment code |
Internally controlled antenna kit (Golden Hawk)4 | — | 2,6064 Reported |
AC-2777 (69)production-order equipment code |
Rear-seat speaker kit (Golden Hawk)4 | — | 4494 Reported |
SP-5006x (80)production-order equipment code |
Front seat belts, all colors (Golden Hawk)4 | — | 9844 Reported |
SP-5007x (80A)production-order equipment code |
Rear seat belts, all colors (Golden Hawk)4 | — | 234 Reported |
|
Metric speedometer (Golden Hawk)4 | — | 1434 Reported |
|
Low-compression (8.25:1) cylinder head, engine XH, export (Golden Hawk)4 | — | 584 Reported |
|
Rear axle 3.54 (Golden Hawk, as listed on orders)4 | — | 204 Reported |
|
Rear axle 4.55 (Golden Hawk, as listed on orders)4 | — | 94 Reported |
Paint
| Code | Color | Built |
|---|---|---|
P5637 |
Mocha and Doeskin (two-tone), Golden Hawk3,4 | 3633,4 Reported |
P5610 |
Sunglow Gold4 | 344 Reported |
P5611 |
Midnight Black4 | 2394 Reported |
P5612 |
Snowcap White4 | 1484 Reported |
P5613 |
Daybreak Blue4 | 14 Reported |
P5614 |
Airforce Blue4 | 84 Reported |
P5615 |
Seaside Green4 | 34 Reported |
P5616 |
Glenbrook Green4 | 24 Reported |
P5617 |
Cambridge Gray4 | 344 Reported |
P5618 |
Yellowstone4 | 104 Reported |
P5619 |
Romany Red4 | 144 Reported |
P5620 |
Airforce Blue / Daybreak Blue (two-tone)4 | 624 Reported |
P5621 |
Daybreak Blue / Airforce Blue4 | 184 Reported |
P5622 |
Daybreak Blue / Snowcap White4 | 374 Reported |
P5623 |
Airforce Blue / Snowcap White4 | 844 Reported |
P5624 |
Glenbrook Green / Seaside Green4 | 594 Reported |
P5625 |
Seaside Green / Glenbrook Green4 | 124 Reported |
P5626 |
Seaside Green / Snowcap White4 | 224 Reported |
P5627 |
Glenbrook Green / Snowcap White4 | 254 Reported |
P5628 |
Cambridge Gray / Snowcap White4 | 1154 Reported |
P5629 |
Midnight Black / Snowcap White4 | 1804 Reported |
P5630 |
Snowcap White / Midnight Black4 | 444 Reported |
P5631 |
Romany Red / Midnight Black4 | 624 Reported |
P5632 |
Midnight Black / Romany Red4 | 264 Reported |
P5633 |
Snowcap White / Romany Red4 | 314 Reported |
P5634 |
Romany Red / Snowcap White4 | 1274 Reported |
P5635 |
Snowcap White / Sunglow Gold4 | 634 Reported |
P5636 |
Sunglow Gold / Snowcap White4 | 7224 Reported |
P5638 |
Mocha / Snowcap White4 | 3074 Reported |
P5639 |
Yellowstone / Midnight Black4 | 464 Reported |
P5640 |
Yellowstone / Sunglow Gold4 | 804 Reported |
P5641 |
Ceramic Green / Snowcap White4 | 7914 Reported |
P5642 |
Tangerine / Snowcap White4 | 1184 Reported |
P5664 |
Rosebud / Snowcap White4 | 214 Reported |
P5665 |
Redwood / Snowcap White4 | 564 Reported |
P5666 |
Snowcap White / Redwood4 | 84 Reported |
P5667 |
Midnight Black / Seaside Green4 | 54 Reported |
P5668 |
Cambridge Gray / Daybreak Blue4 | 14 Reported |
P5669 |
Yellowstone / Snowcap White4 | 94 Reported |
P5601 |
Special paint (production orders marked P5601: one Yellowstone/Snowcap, one probably Romany Red/Black, six Ceramic Green)4 | 84 Reported |
Color names are the factory's. We don't show color swatches, because a screen color is no guide for a restoration.
Interiors
| Code | Trim | Built |
|---|---|---|
8414 WC |
Golden Hawk cloth and vinyl, white and charcoal (standard with most colors)4 | Not yet sourced |
8415 BL |
Golden Hawk cloth and vinyl, light and dark blue (standard with the blue colors; optional with Midnight Black)4 | Not yet sourced |
8416 GRN |
Golden Hawk cloth and vinyl, light and dark green (standard with the green colors and Snowcap White)4 | Not yet sourced |
8417 RO |
Golden Hawk cloth and vinyl, light and dark Rose Mist (taupe) (standard with the Mocha combinations)4 | Not yet sourced |
8440 WC |
Golden Hawk all-vinyl, white and charcoal (optional)4 | Not yet sourced |
8441 BL |
Golden Hawk all-vinyl, light and dark blue (optional)4 | Not yet sourced |
8442 GRN |
Golden Hawk all-vinyl, light and dark green (optional)4 | Not yet sourced |
8443 RO |
Golden Hawk all-vinyl, light and dark Rose Mist (optional)4 | Not yet sourced |
8444 WO |
Golden Hawk all-vinyl, white and olive (the only upholstery listed with Ceramic Green/Snowcap White)4 | Not yet sourced |
8445 WRD |
Golden Hawk all-vinyl, white and red (optional)4 | Not yet sourced |
8446 WGO |
Golden Hawk all-vinyl, white and gold (optional)4 | Not yet sourced |
8447 CR |
Golden Hawk all-vinyl, charcoal and red (optional)4 | Not yet sourced |
8448 WRO |
Golden Hawk all-vinyl, white and Rose Mist (optional)4 | Not yet sourced |
8450 WT |
Golden Hawk all-vinyl, white and tangerine (optional with Tangerine/Snowcap White)4 | Not yet sourced |
Specifications
| Measure | Value | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase2 | 120.5 in | all 1956 Hawks |
| Overall length3 | 204 in | Golden Hawk |
| Weight2 | 3,360 lb | Golden Hawk, basis not stated (likely shipping weight) |
| Weight (approximate)3 | 3,690 lb | Golden Hawk, as reported by Old Cars Weekly; basis not stated |
| Weight2 | 3,215 lb | Sky Hawk, basis not stated |
| Weight2 | 3,095 lb | Power Hawk, basis not stated |
| Weight2 | 2,780 lb | Flight Hawk, basis not stated |
Identification
- Model codes
- Golden Hawk 56J-K7 (hardtop); Sky Hawk 56H-K7 (hardtop); Flight Hawk 56G-C3 (coupe) and 56G-K7 (export hardtop).2
- Engine numbers
- Golden Hawk Packard 352 engines start at K-1,001 (overdrive cars) and S-1,001 (automatic cars). Sky Hawk and other 56H 289s start at P-22,001, stamped on top of the front of the block.5
- Factory build record
- The Studebaker National Museum holds factory Production Orders for most 1936-1966 Studebakers, showing how each car was equipped when it left the factory.6
- Golden Hawk serial numbers by plant
- South Bend 6030001-6033472; Los Angeles (Vernon) 6800001-6800601. Two South Bend cars (6030726, 6031367) were scrapped. South Bend production ran 22 November 1955 to 15 August 1956 after two show cars (May and September 1955); Los Angeles from about 27 October 1955 to 3 June 1956. The serial plate carries the model 56J; the body number plate on the passenger-side firewall carries 56J, K7 and the body number.4
- Golden Hawk engine numbers (production orders)
- S-1001 to S-4362 on Twin Ultramatic cars and K-1001 to K-1912 on overdrive cars, assigned in random order with gaps; stamped on the boss at the top front of the block beside the oil filler tube. Overdrive and Hill Holder were standard with the manual transmission; Anti-Creep and Twin-Traction were not available.4
Where the sources disagree
Flight Hawk total
Lead with the museum's 4,949, which the other page's own components support. Note the stated 4,946.
Golden Hawk base price
Show both with attribution. The museum figure leads as the institutional source.
Sky Hawk 289 rating
Show 210 hp as the base rating from both sources. Present the museum's four-barrel increment and the site's 190 with attribution. No factory specification was read.
Golden Hawk weight
Neither source states its weight basis (shipping or curb). Show both, labelled.
Golden Hawks built outside South Bend
- 61 (Old Cars Weekly: 'all but 61' built at South Bend)3
- 601 assembled at Los Angeles (serials 6800001-6800601); 3,470 at South Bend; none in Canada4
Show both. The production-order tabulation leads because it gives serial ranges and plant columns that reconcile to 4,071; 61 may be a dropped digit, but that is not assumed.
Same model year
Also in 1956
- Chrysler 300 letter series The second 300 grew the Hemi to 354 cu in and offered a 355 hp version, which the club calls the first American engine at one horsepower per cubic inch; 1,102 hardtops.
- Ford Thunderbird The rarest two-seat year at 15,631 built, and the first Thunderbird with an optional 312 V-8 (up to 260 hp with dual quads) and a 12-volt electrical system.