1956 Studebaker Power Hawk

1956 Studebaker Power Hawk Custom Pro-Street Build with 396 Big Block V8 Why This Car Is Special The 1956 Studebaker Power Hawk sits at an interesting crossroads in American automotive history. Studebaker introduced the Hawk family for 1956 as a way to repackage the aging but genuinely attractive coupe body that designer Robert Bourke had created for the 1953 Starliner. Rather than retire it, Studebaker leaned into its sporty character and gave it a name to match. The Power Hawk was the entry point of that new lineup a pillared coupe powered by a small-displacement V8 from the factory, offered at a price point that made it accessible while still carrying the visual drama of the longer, more expensive Hawks above it in the range. It shared its basic body with the Flight Hawk, Sky Hawk, and Golden Hawk, but stood apart as the no-frills performance coupe of the group. What makes the 1956 Studebaker Power Hawk particularly interesting today is the body itself. That long hood, the low roofline, and the tight, almost European-looking greenhouse were genuinely forward-thinking for a mid-decade American car. Studebaker was a South Bend, Indiana company punching well above its weight in the styling department, even as financial pressures mounted throughout the decade. The Power Hawk body carries proportions that age well which is exactly why this one works so effectively as the foundation for a serious pro-street custom build. This particular 1956 Studebaker Power Hawk has been transformed into a purpose-built driver with real mechanical substance under that custom red paint. The factory drivetrain is long gone. In its place sits a Chevrolet 396 Big Block V8 mated to a 4-speed manual transmission, fed by a Holley Sniper EFI system and breathing through a cold air intake. Out back, a Ford 9-inch rear end handles the power delivery. The suspension has been updated with coilover units at the rear. Rack and pinion steering with power assist replaces the original recirculating ball setup. This is a car that was built to be driven, not parked on a trailer. Features List Engine: Chevrolet 396 Big Block V8 Induction: Holley Sniper Fuel Injection EFI system Intake: Cold air intake Transmission: 4-speed manual Rear end: Ford 9-inch Rear suspension: Coilover suspension Steering: Rack and pinion with power assist Steering wheel: Billet unit with tilt column Wheels: Polished Torque Thrust style wheels Tires: BF Goodrich Radial T/A Cooling: Aluminum radiator Exhaust: Dual exhaust Headlights: LED headlights Interior: Black vinyl with red and black houndstooth door panel inserts Gauges: Full custom gauge cluster with tachometer reading to 8,000 RPM and 160 MPH speedometer, all gauges functional, clock Windows: Power windows Exterior: Custom red paint with minor custom pin striping Bumpers: Chrome front and rear bumpers Rear trim: Chrome rear trim panel Mirrors: Dual exterior rear view mirrors Hood: Hood scoop Original items retained: Studebaker seat belts, Studebaker floor mats, Studebaker owners manual Mechanical The heart of this 1956 Studebaker Power Hawk is a Chevrolet 396 cubic inch Big Block V8. The 396 was introduced by Chevrolet in 1965 and became one of the most recognized big block displacements in American performance history, known for strong low-end torque and a wide aftermarket support base that makes it straightforward to maintain and modify decades later. Swapping a proven Big Block Chevy into a 1950s Studebaker body is a well-established approach in the pro-street custom world the engine support infrastructure simply does not exist for the original Studebaker powerplants the way it does for GM big blocks. The Holley Sniper EFI system is a throttle-body electronic fuel injection unit that replaces a traditional carburetor while retaining a carbureted appearance under the hood. It provides improved cold-start behavior, better fuel metering across a range of operating temperatures, and eliminates the fuel man
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