Rare Hurst Shifter: Studebaker Project
Studebaker made a dizzying array of cars in the 1950s. Hawks, for instance. There was the Sky Hawk, the Silver Hawk, the Power Hawk, the Flight Hawk, the Golden Hawk, and in the 1960s, more Hawks. Here on eBay, bid to $5,000 and located in Demotte, Indiana, is a Studebaker listed as a 1955 Hawk. But the seller also claims it is a President model. More on the model confusion later. Meantime, this Studebaker has a rare Hurst three-speed manual floor shifter. The seller claims this is factory equipment, but Hurst conversion kits do exist for Studebakers. As we’ll see, “factory” is meaningless when it comes to this particular car.
This car appears in many respects to be a 1964 Gran Turismo Hawk. However, the greenhouse looks like an earlier model, and the hood louvers are typical of a Golden Hawk. The car had a color change from Rancho Red and White to maroon several years ago. No details are given about who did the work – whether it was our seller or some previous owner. Is it possible that the body was changed radically during the paint job, or am I just missing knowledge of this model? In any case, rust has attacked the body panels in several spots, so the body will need another round of attention. The underside, too, is rustier than I like to see in a project and reveals some interesting welding.
The seats look like a ’60s Hawk. The machine-turned dash and gauges, though, look like an earlier Hawk version. The steering wheel is probably from an Avanti. Other than the driver’s seat, the interior is serviceable.
The car is equipped with a 259 cu. in. V8 motor making about 162 bhp with the two-barrel carburetor installed on this car. This combination would have been the base offering in 1955; later 259’s had slightly higher compression ratios and came with four-barrel carbs, bringing horsepower past 180. The seller was able to make the motor run despite missing keys and the car’s slumber since 1987. The mileage is listed as 122,605. It’s not looking show-worthy under-hood at the moment, and did we mention – the brakes need work. But there on the firewall is that original Rancho Red color, in case you want to put her back to… wait a second, what exactly IS original for this car? The best objective here is probably to turn her into a driver and enjoy her as is.
Auctions Ending Soon
2006 Ford Mustang Saleen S281 SCBid Now7 hours$15,000
2002 Subaru Impreza WRXBid Now3 days$333
1975 Chevrolet Corvette ConvertibleBid Now3 days$3,000
1964 Ford F-100 Camper CustomBid Now3 days$2,000
2006 Jeep Wrangler SportBid Now5 days$10,500
Comments
That definitely looks like a 64 from the front and the back…I thought 55’s had bigger finskys on the tail end But yeah, the greenhouse roof is earlier
Not a 64, the trunk lid, hood and side grills are easy to change, the roof not so much. Whatever it is it’s a C (coupe) body, such as a Silver Hawk, not a K (hardtop) body like the GT’s and Golden Hawks.
It’s also got a 56 though 61 dash.
You are right, and the early Hawk fins were fabulous, especially the Golden Hawk.
Considering Hurst was founded in 1958, and this car is a 1955, I think you all know where I’m going with this…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurst_Performance
Now that, gentlemen, is his you do your homework.
Considering Hurst Performance was founded in 1958, and this is a 1955 Studebaker, I think you know where I’m going with this…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurst_Performance
Weeeeell, 1st, great write up on a car that looks sharp even today,,,HOWEVER, tis’ no factory shifter. I read Hurst was founded in 1958, and I doubt a Hawk ever came with one. The seller makes a big deal about that, yet possibly totally oblivious, this car may have O/D( red handle ?) In ’55, they came with a 3 speed with O/D or an automatic. The different colors may indicate this car was pieced together from other Hawks,
You know, years ago, when I was “into” the car show schpiel with our 1950 Packard,( 80s) a car like this would be totally welcome at most shows, just the way it is. It was all about having fun with old cars, and we did. Ratty or not, we were all in the same gear. Today, everything has to be able to be eaten off off, and I wonder if an organizer would even allow this, much less any interest. Cool find, good price, needs a “total” to be accepted, and that won’t be cheap. For the declining folks that actually want this, it’s a great find, but I just don’t see anyone taking this on today.
I read his eBay listing a couple times and I don’t think the poster meant the shifter was original. He just said it was unique because it had a three speed manual and a Hurst shifter.
He said “factory three speed” which I took to mean “originally installed”.
It’s the Johnny Cash “One Piece At A Time” Hawk! Main body and motor is ‘55 Stude, front end and trunk lid ‘64 Hawk, hood supercharger bump out is ‘57-58 Golden Hawk as is the dash. Interior is GT Hawk, steering wheel Avanti.Studebaker did not introduce Hawk line until ‘56, so most likely a ‘58 Golden Hawk and a ‘64 GT contributed parts (as well as Hurst) to the project.
Let’s just call it a Frankenbaker.
Stiched together from several cars.
It’s amazing that this body style endured for as long as it did. 1953 to 1964.
Speaking of Hurst, the first factory installed Hurst shifters appeared in the 1964 GTO, although the Hurst name was not embossed on the stick. The Hurst shifter was becoming more and more popular, and Pontiac saw the advantage to having the Hurst brand on the car and beginning with the 1965 model year the shifter was embossed with the Hurst name. The shifter itself was the legendary Competition Plus model with a couple of differences, the factory units did not have the stop bolts (although the dimple was there allowing it to be modified to add stop bolts) and the main difference was the shift rods were OEM, and designed to be quieter and a smoother feel. Hurst offered kits to replace the factory arms and rods.
Yep – if it is a 1955 – can’t read the data tag on the passenger firewall – it does have the later GT Hawk parts added like the grille and tail lights – the dash could be from a 55 Speedster all the way up to a 1964 – along with the hood from the Golden Hawks of the 50’s…..anyone notice the Avanti steering wheel………
Yes I mentioned in the article that it was from an Avanti…. A “bitsa” car for sure.
The only thing missing is the ’58 Packard Hawk faux spare tire applique on the deck lid! I’ve seen other Studebaker C-K cars cobbled together from various years like a Mr. Potato Head, but I have to admit this doesn’t look too bad. Looks like another frame will be needed in its future.
Why is this thing even here…and why make such a big deal about the crappy 3-speed shifter? It’s probably the only Hurst shifter that would be worth more at the scrap-iron recycler than it would be on eBay. Besides, he never said it was a factory Hurst shifter, he said it was a factory three-speed.