The coupe belongs to Pete Wendt, who purchased it in 1994 as a gift for his wife, Jackie. Pete recalls how he used to accompany Jackie to car shows, encouraging her to pick a car she loved so he could restore it for her.
Jackie fell in love with a Flamingo-colored Hawk. She adored the car so much that she coordinated her bridesmaids’ dresses to match the salmon-like shade.
According to Pete, Jackie went as far as comparing fabric swatches to a Flamingo-colored car they had seen, ensuring the perfect match.
Years later, Pete located the perfect 1961 Hawk and bought it. He began restoring the vehicle while carefully hunting for the specific parts needed to incorporate the features Jackie desired.
Unfortunately, Jackie passed away before the restoration was complete. Now, Pete displays the pink Studebaker at car shows in her memory.
There’s little doubt Jackie would have loved the finished product—it’s one of the finest 1961 Hawks around, a testament to Pete’s dedication and craftsmanship.
Studebaker first introduced the Hawk series in 1956, targeting the personal luxury car market.
That year, the lineup included four models: the entry-level Flight Hawk, the mid-range Power and Sky Hawk versions, and the premium Golden Hawk, which featured a supercharged V8 engine and has since become the most iconic variant.
By 1957, Studebaker streamlined the lineup, discontinuing all but the Golden Hawk and introducing the Silver Hawk. This two-model lineup continued into 1958, at which point Packard also offered a Hawk model.
In 1959, the range was narrowed to a single Silver Hawk model, which was renamed simply “Hawk” in 1960. In 1962, the Hawk evolved into the Gran Turismo Hawk before being discontinued after the 1964 model year.
The 1961 Hawk debuted during a challenging period for Studebaker. It’s said that the company’s Lark compact car, which sold over 100,000 units in 1960, was crucial in sustaining the brand.
However, Hawk sales declined, dropping from 4,507 units in 1960 to just 3,929 in 1961.
This particular Flamingo coupe came off the production line equipped with the top-of-the-line 289-cubic-inch (4.7-liter) V8 engine, producing 210 horsepower.
This makes it one of only 3,663 V8-equipped Hawks built that year. Its unique Flamingo color likely makes it even rarer.
You can see this remarkable car in action in the video below, courtesy of classic car enthusiast Lou Costabile. Be sure to subscribe to his YouTube channel for more content like this.
