Packard Forum Index » Studebaker Built Packards (1957 - 58)

There's a '58 Hawk for ssale on ebay with S/N 58LS1131. This serial puts it as a '58 Sedan, the Hawk S/N should be a 58LY I think. Has anybody got any thoughts as to whether this is a legitimate Hawk, or are people converting Sedans to Hawks? It has the supercharger, and the body sure looks like a Hawk. Could be in the final days Studebaker wasn't following the designated serial prefixes. HELP!

Looks like this inquiry was reposted with addit'l info in another thread, (by same author):

'58 Packard Hawk Serial Number--Real Confusion

...where it got answered.

I was just in contact with a fellow who wants to give me a 58 hawk. It has no running gear and I am not sure what parts are left on it. His description was 'rough as a corn cob. I am going to look at it tomorrow. All I have to pay is the towing bill. Once I get the pictures and post them, if any one wants it for parts for the same towing bill we can work out a deal for transport.

ALK

58LS-1131 is the VIN

58 = 1958

LS = Packard.

1131 = Numerical Sequence of Assembly for all 1958 Packard's (Packabakers).

The body code would be 58L-K9 followed by a specific number(s) for this particular Hawk. (1 thru 588).

588 '58 Hawk's were assembled.

OK,

I'll try this again. I'm new here and has just posted a response to this thread that included an annotated photo of an actual Packard Hawk vehicle number plate. It didn't show up. Not sure why.

The Packards produced by Studebaker-Packard in 1957 and 1958 have very simple serial numbers. The first two digits are the year; the first letter - "L" - designates the car as a Packard instead of a Studebaker; the second letter designates the model - in this case "S" for Hawk; and the last four digits designate the production sequence. The first of the last four digits - "1" - is a dummy digit and really doesn't mean anything; it's the last three digits 001 through 588 that designate the actual production sequence of the vehicle. In the example cited above, the vehicle is a 1958 Packard Hawk #131 of 588 made.

The paint number, trim designation and body style are not included in the serial number.

I've attached a picture below that explains this, but haven't yet figured out how to get pictures posted to this forum to display in large format, so I've also posted a link below to a test post on my own forum (I'm a home inspector and host a webzine for home inspectors). When you click the link below, it will not take you to that forum but it should open the photo to a decent size so that you can save it in your pictures file.

inspectorsjournal.com/forum/pop_img_prev ... HawkSerialNumberPlateExplained1.jpg


Mike O'Handley
Kenmore, WA

Hi Mike and welcome. Although small--only 4k--, the picture showed this time so you must have figured it out. Around 50 to 400K gives a good viewing size and decent download speed. The usual reasons for a failure to show are the file is too large, wrong format or forgetting to attach the file before submitting the post. I believe in the past, there was also a mention of something about an illegal character in or length of the title that could also cause problems. Hopefully, now you are on a roll and will keep them coming.

Hi Howard,

Thank you for the gracious welcome and explanation. As you can see, I've figured out a work-around that seems to work. I'll do my best to contribute here when I can; but I'm here mostly to try and make myself smarter about these cars.

Mike O'Handley
Kenmore, WA

G'day Mike,

to PackardInfo.

Furthermore I invite you to include your 57 or 58 Packard/s in the Packard Owner's Registry here on PackardInfo.

Hi Mal,

Thanks, if I finally do achieve that 40-year old dream I will. For 25 of those years, before I finally got onto the internet, I was only able to learn snippets about these cars and I'd never seen one. Since the advent of the net and Google, I've been doing the best I can to imitate a sponge. I'm currently considering a purchase.

Mike O'Handley
Kenmore, Washington
hausdok@msn.com

Quote:Mike,

Sounds much like me, for 40 years I wanted a Pre-War Packard and finally realised that dream about 4 years ago.

Wish you well with your considered purchase.