The ’57 near Billy’s home in Gheens, LA The Regular Billy Billy and Sharon bein’ crazy for 50’s night

Car: 1957 Studebaker Silver Hawk

Owner: Billy and Sherry Cressione

Gheens, LA

Since I saw my first one as a boy, I have always wanted a Studebaker Golden Hawk. My brother-in-law’s family owned the Studebaker-Packard dealership in nearby Larose, so I saw my share of Hawks when I was young.

I went into the Army in 1959 and when I returned in 1962 the family was no longer selling Studebakers. I still wanted to own one, but other things started to become more important at the time. Soon came marriage and fatherhood. No time or money for a Hawk.

Years of work and raising children (4) and grandchildren followed. Toward the end of my work years, my health failed and I had 2 heart attacks. I could no longer work and had more time to think about that Hawk.

One day, as I was driving to a doctor’s appointment about 50 miles from my home, I saw the back end of a Studebaker truck along the road. My wife was with me, so I said nothing. On the next trip to the doctor, I was alone, so I turned down the street where I’d seen that truck. To my surprise, in front of the truck was a Silver Hawk! I was so excited; I thought I was going to have another heart attack. I asked the woman at the house if it was for sale. She said they belonged to her son, but she sure wish he’d move them. We phoned him and he came over to show the car. He told me that he’d bought it in Texas in good driving condition. He parked it to work overseas a few months. He didn’t realize it, but squirrels had chewed the wires and this started a fire while he was crossing the Mississippi River Bridge! He re-wired it, restored the floor pans and renovated the interior. Then he decided he’d just as soon paint it too. After finishing, he proudly drove it twelve miles to his mother’s house and parked it under a tree. A branch fell off the tree denting the Hawk’s roof. At that point, he just gave up and parked it.

The car had now been parked 3-4 years and was filthy and moldy inside and out. After some dealing, I bought two Studebaker trucks and the Hawk! It was not a Golden Hawk, but this Silver Hawk was as close to heaven as I could get. After a lot of elbow grease and TLC, this car has turned out really great.

Since buying the Studebakers, my wife and I have joined SDC and two local clubs. We have been on tours in Louisiana and Mississippi. The car runs great and is a lot of fun. The engine is stock except for the alternator and aftermarket air conditioner. I added a modern radio with CD player. My friends and I are repainting it now. I’ve also begun to renovate the ‘53 Studebaker R Series pickup truck I bought at the same time. The other truck is a custom needing completion. I will sell it.

Billy Cressione, Gheens, LA.

Editor’s Note: Billy Cressione died February 5, 2005. His wife, Sharon will keep his cars and continue in the car clubs.