An Ovation Breadwinner electric guitar (serial #E00405) owned, stage-used and studio-used by Greg Hawkes of The Cars throughout the band’s initial active career (1976-1988). Documented as Hawkes’ only Ovation Breadwinner, confirmed in active touring use in the official 1979 “Drive America Tour” tour guide and on the back cover of their album, Panorama (1980). Serial E00405 places this among the lowest documented Breadwinner serials in collector registries, indicating manufacture circa 1973-1974 in the instrument’s first years of production. Includes original travel case bearing crew stencil “BOIZE” on exterior and “GREG – OVATION” production label on interior.
Video Documentation
Historical Context
The Cars were a Boston-based new wave and rock band comprising Ric Ocasek (vocals, guitar), Ben Orr (vocals, bass), Elliot Easton (guitar), Greg Hawkes (keyboards, synthesizers), and David Robinson (drums). The band released their self-titled debut album in 1978, followed by Candy-O (1979), Panorama (1980), Shake It Up (1981), Heartbeat City (1984), and Door to Door (1987).
Greg Hawkes served as the band’s primary keyboardist and synthesizer player, but also contributed guitar on select recordings. He is documented with this Ovation Breadwinner on the back cover of Panorama alongside his bandmates and their respective instruments — the sole guitar identified with Hawkes in that era’s documentation. According to available records, this Breadwinner was Hawkes’ only guitar through the early touring and recording years, with the Shake It Up tour (1982) marking the introduction of a new instrument.
The Ovation Breadwinner, produced from approximately 1971 to 1980, was among the earliest solid-body guitars built by Ovation — notable for its asymmetric body design and active onboard preamp. Its relatively limited production run and distinctive visual profile make surviving examples significant, particularly those with documented professional use.
Stage & Recording Use
This Breadwinner was used by Greg Hawkes on The Cars’ recordings and live performances. As only one example, Hawkes is documented playing the instrument during the June 7, 1979 Musikladen performance in Bremen, Germany — one of the most significant filmed documents of The Cars’ early touring activity, subsequently released officially on DVD by Rhino Records in 2000. The guitar was also used on studio recordings, including tracks featuring Hawkes on guitar such as “You Just Can’t Push Me” and “Take What You Want,” available on expanded deluxe editions of The Cars’ catalog.
Documentation
This guitar is documented as Greg Hawkes’ only Ovation Breadwinner throughout The Cars’ active career — meaning every filmed and photographed instance of Hawkes with a Breadwinner is, by definition, this instrument. Two period sources confirm its active use. The official 1979 Cars “Drive America Tour” tour guide contains a double-page stage spread showing Hawkes playing this guitar, establishing its use from the band’s debut touring year. The back cover of Panorama (Elektra Records, 1980) photographs Hawkes holding the instrument alongside his bandmates, confirming its continued presence through the third album cycle. The Ovation Breadwinner’s distinctive asymmetric body profile and matte black finish are identifiable across both sources. Supporting comparative imagery is included in the photo documentation accompanying this listing.
Specifications
· Manufacturer: Ovation Instruments, New Hartford, Connecticut — Made in U.S.A.
· Model: Breadwinner (Model 1251)
· Serial: E00405 — among the lowest documented Breadwinner serials in collector registries; manufacture circa 1973-1974
· Body: Asymmetric ergonomic solid body (mahogany); black textured “spackle” finish — original to early production Breadwinners; no pickguard
· Neck: Bolt-on two-piece Honduras mahogany; ebony fingerboard with pearl dot inlays; 24 frets (two full octaves); 24¾” scale length
· Headstock: Ovation logo in gold script; six-in-line chrome tuners with oval buttons
· Pickups: Dual 12-pole mini-humbucker style pickups
· Controls: Master volume; tone knob (center “normal” position with treble/midrange boost-cut); 3-way pickup selector (neck / bridge / both out-of-phase); mid-range notch filter switch
· Electronics: Active FET preamp powered by two 9V batteries (accessed via rectangular chrome plate on reverse)
· Bridge: Chrome with individual saddles; strings pass through body
· Output jack: Side-mounted on lower side horn — a distinctive Breadwinner design feature
· Hardware: Chrome throughout
Condition
The instrument is in excellent condition consistent with professional use and careful storage. The matte black finish exhibits minor surface texture marks consistent with age and handling. Active electronics battery compartment is present with original wiring. Back cover plate present.
Included Items
Original black travel case with red plush interior. Case exterior bears crew stencil “BOIZE” in white. Case interior bears “GREG – OVATION” production label. Handle is broken, consistent with the Weiss Auctions catalog description.
Official 1979 The Cars “Drive America Tour” tour guide, containing a double-page stage spread photo-matching this instrument to Greg Hawkes in active touring use.
Contemporary vinyl album sleeve (used) for Panorama (The Cars, 1980). 3 photos.
Provenance
From the personal collection of Greg Hawkes. Offered as Lot 729 at Weiss Auctions, Sale 378 (Historical Memorabilia, Rock N Roll, Hollywood, Advertising), November 20, 2020, Lynbrook, NY, cataloged as “owned and used by Greg on The Cars Recordings and Live in Concert.”
Nostalgia Bandit Letter of Provenance
This lot will be accompanied by a Nostalgia Bandit Letter of Provenance — a document printed on official Nostalgia Bandit letterhead, signed by Nostalgia Bandit’s principal, and affixed with the official Nostalgia Bandit embossed seal. The Letter of Provenance reproduces the complete final auction description for this lot in full, memorializing all provenance documentation, attribution, supporting evidence, and condition details as presented herein. It is designed to travel with the lot through all future ownership transfers as a permanent, platform-independent physical record of the item’s documented history.
Shipping & Measurements
FIRST AND THIRD PARTY SHIPPING OPTIONS AVAILABLE. Contact Nostalgia Bandit for a shipping quote: shipping@nostalgiabandit.com
» Item: 40 x 14 x 2.5″ · 5.46 lbs.
» Case: 41 x 15.5 x 3″ · 4.0 lbs.
