This has been a good year for DM 50th anniversary editions. There have been a couple images of the 1957 Studebaker Golden Hawk issued by DM and I reviewed the first 1958 Packard Hawk in Waterfall Blue. I dearly love that model. So to enter a 50th anny version of that car in the parade didn’t push any buttons for me - until I saw it, and saw it up close and personal.

Take an ugly duckling, a catfish-faced pseudo-Studie and add on a “toilet seat trunk lid” and swaddle it in a deep maroon-red paint with saddle tan and gold accents, medium-wide whites and chrome as if from Planet Gleaming and you have a transformed rock star swan! The car was so obnoxious it is now classic good looks and paid up on its 50 year dues.

DM captured the essence of the late-year breed. They added chrome metal foil lettering on the snout, excuse me, nose of the car with the added brilliance of the circled Packard symbol, tossed in matching rear trunk lid edge badge and scripts and, “Packard” scripts on either rear fender inset. The twin antennas are scaled, the gas filler door opens and the trunk shows off detail like crazy. You can remove the fabric-covered spare to reveal the tire iron and jack. The interior is fitted out with like detail. The dashboard and gauges and steering wheel are elegantly finished and the chassis is done extremely well.

The engine bay may rightly be considered the star of the show if not for the overall look of the uniquely-styled fifties icon itself. The supercharger takes center stage and DM did its due diligence in connecting all the proper hoses, lines and wires to the motor. This is a fun little piece that, wrapped in a maroon 50th anniversary robe, makes a truly exceptional statement. Not just any ugling duckling becomes a swan; it may take the DM to pull it off!