Spotlessly Clean: 1962 Studebaker Gran Turismo Hawk
The Studebaker Gran Turismo Hawk represented an upgrade to the original Hawk design that first appeared in 1956. It was sold between 1962 and 1964, although the last GT Hawk rolled off the South Bend, Indiana, production line in December of 1963. This 1962 Gran Turismo Hawk is a tidy and clean vehicle that the buyer can drive and enjoy immediately. If you think that you could be that buyer, then you will find the GT located in Kingsville, Maryland, and listed for sale here on eBay. Bidding currently sits at $10,100, and the reserve has been met.
The Hawk is finished in Green with the top wearing Ermine White. The owner refers to the vehicle as being an unrestored survivor, but I’m not entirely convinced by that claim. He provides a copy of the Factory Production Record, and this indicates that the Studebaker originally wore Velvet Black paint. I’m sure that the car would have looked pretty classy in that color, but I quite like its current appearance. The paint is holding a beautiful shine, with no visible scratches or chips. The owner doesn’t refer to any issues with rust, and there are no problems evident in the photos that he supplies. He also makes no mention of the state of the floors, so these should probably be treated to a thorough check. On the positive side, replacement sheet-metal is available if any problems are found. The panels appear to be straight, with no signs of dings or dents. The chrome and trim are in first-rate condition, while there are no problems with the glass.
The Hawk isn’t a numbers-matching car, because a previous owner has transplanted a 1963-vintage GT Hawk engine into the vehicle. What we find is a 289ci V8, which is backed by a 4-speed T10 manual transmission. Power steering should make this classic a breeze to maneuver in tight spaces. The 289 should be producing 240hp. At 3,285lbs, the GT Hawk is not an outrageously heavy vehicle. That means that performance should be quite respectable. The Hawk is said to be roadworthy, and it does run and drive well.
The interior of the GT continues the overall theme of a tidy survivor. Once again, I believe that it has been refurbished at some point. The documentation included with the vehicle indicates that the interior was initially trimmed in Red vinyl. I think that the current combination provides a nicer look overall. There isn’t much that this interior needs. The upholstered surfaces all present nicely, with no signs of any tears or stains. The carpet is in a similar state, while there are no apparent issues with the dash. Apart from the interior retrim, it looks like the Hawk has been treated to an updated radio. I don’t think that the dash has been cut to install this. That means that the option is there to return the original unit if desired. In fact, that is sitting in the trunk, along with the original air cleaner, and several other parts.
If the next owner of this 1962 Gran Turismo Hawk isn’t wholly fixed on owning an original and unmolested classic, then this car could potentially be an excellent option for them to consider. The owner floats the idea of using the vehicle as the basis for a restoration or restomod. However, I would be inclined to try to retain this classic as close to stock as possible. These are not a big-budget car, with values remaining relatively modest. The 1962 model year saw 9,335 cars roll off the line. Today, the GT Hawk Registry shows that only around 900 vehicles have survived from the entire sales total from 1962 until 1964. That makes it a relatively rare beast, and one that deserves to be preserved.
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Comments
Very nice car!
Nice looking car. However, I question calling it a survivor given the exterior repaint, The interior being refinished, and the swapped engine.
Aside from the original 1953 design, I’ve always believed this to be the best-looking of this series of Studebakers.
Ten grand? That’s a good price for a great and RARE piece!!
Not 240 HP. The 240 HP is the R1 engine. this is the 225HP engine.
Very nice, indeed, with a well done color & interior change.
I always see my ’63 Lincoln sedan in the Hawk C pillar and taillights.
Here I see a replacement engine, replacement color and replacement interior adding up to great combination at a great price. So far…….
It’s too far away for me and the one I really want is the 53 Starlight Coupe.
I have no room yet. They are unique and wonderful cars. As opposed to the junk currently being made.
Numbers matching engines don’t really matter to most Studebaker owners. The Stude dealers routinely stamped original numbers on replacement engines. So even if the numbers match, it may not be original engine.
Back in the day I tried out a new Hawk with the Packard 352 V8 and it was nose heavy and handled poorly in a turn.I did own a Lark with a 259 V8 and
the standard 3 speed with overdrive and the whole thing was built for $20 in parts and labor.
Seems cheap they are asking for $22,000 for a black one on Canadian Autotrader in black .
Why all the changes? I find it disturbing. Something ´s not right here.
I agree I’m thinking the VIN plates are swapped. Who goes thru all that trouble for this priced car when ever it was done, would have been cheaper to buy a car in that color combo. The interior is “too nice” wrong engine wrong color wrong interior, something don’t add up
Does it have a heater? There’s a photo of an original/repro sticker and it doesn’t list the Climatizer on it
To drive this, I feel I would have to be a hat wearing, pipe smoking, upper management executive with a corner office.
Something about this car does not add up. The original color combo and that old green carpet… I don’t know. I think someone bought this car a few months ago, got it roadworthy and is auctioning it
I believe this has the distinction of being the 1st, or one of the 1st, gentlemens cruiser. Even with it’s dated styling, it was an attractive car. Still is today. By 1962, I don’t think it mattered what Studebaker made, with the Avanti such a disaster, this was top of the line, and kind of the bottom of the line compared to other car makers, and the end was near. Mechanically, I feel, Studebaker was superior than most, with safety features that took years for the others to follow. Time just plumb ran out for Studebaker, one of the best US cars made.
I don’t live too far from this car, an if anyone is serious about buying it, I can take a look at it. [I’ve owned 3 GT Hawks, and a bunch of other Studebakers, plus I owned/operated a large restoration shop, so I know these cars inside & out.]
Sold: $10,877. Sounds like someone got a heck of a nice car, no matter the history
As long as it wasn’t a victim of switched vin numbers (theft?), it was a great buy. I would have left it as it is, and I can’t stand the color lol. It just looks right on this car.