1 of 7 Show Cars! 1964 Studebaker GT Hawk R2
The Studebaker Hawk enjoyed a long run through several variants from 1956 to 1964. The Gran Turismo (or GT) Hawk was the last incarnation from 1962 and 64 and was perhaps the most luxurious iteration, as Studebaker was trying to one-up the Ford and Mercedes in the styling department. This 1964 GT Hawk is said to have been a show car, one of seven built for 1964 and just 1 of 47 equipped with the R2 supercharger. This car will need a lot of work, but it has the potential of being a Studebaker Holy Grail to fans of these cars. Located in Bellingham, Washington, this rarity is available here on eBay where the bidding has reached just $2.025. But we’re betting the reserve set for this car is going to be seriously north of that figure.
Demand for the GT Hawk was encouraging at first, with 9,335 copies ordered in 1962. But that dropped to 4,634 in 1963 as the new Avanti stole some of its thunder. Only 1,767 GTs were built for 1964 before Studebaker shut down U.S. auto production at the end of calendar 1963. Auto assemblies would continue in Canada for another two years, but neither the GT nor Avanti made the transition. Either 46 or 47 (depending on the source) GT Hawks were built in 1964 as an R2, which meant the car had a McCulloch supercharger on the 289 cubic inch V8. That itself may make the seller’s car more desirable than its previous status as a show car.
As the story and documentation go, seven of the R2 GT Hawks were painted Astra White with a black vinyl top and assigned to the show circuit along with the introduction of the company’s overall 1964 models. We’re told this one served at the Los Angeles Auto Show in late October/early November of 1963. Studebaker had just come off a successful land speed record run at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah. We’re told this automobile retains its original engine and automatic transmission and we presume all the supercharger parts have survived, even if they’re in boxes.
The seller has owned this car since 1995, having purchased it from someone who saved the Hawk from being crushed at a salvage yard. It was running at the time (so why junk it?), but that situation has no doubt changed with time. While it was retrieved from California, the car spent time near the ocean and that has led to rust in several areas, such as the rocker panels and rooftop where the vinyl has long since disappeared. The hood is also damaged, perhaps enough that a replacement will need sourcing. The motor will turn over and the seller has provided a video clip of that process. Given the history of this car and the rarity of the supercharger, this Studebaker more than deserves the time and money that will be needed to perform a restoration.
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Comments
Amelia Island here we come…….
When I was in the Navy and assigned to the Pentagon, my boss, a Navy captain, had one of these. It was an all black R2 with e 4 sp on the floor. He offered me the car for $800. Not a fortune back in ’75. Definitely one that got away.
That would have been sweet, but don’t feel too bad, we all have our stories. How did we know that this stuff would become so valuable and mostly unattainable for the majority of us in our senior years? You probably had a good reason to turn down the offer at the time. When I got back in country while in the service, I turned down a killer deal on a 63 Impala SS 327 4sp because I thought I deserved a brand new car. What a mistake that was. The new car was a piece of junk, but in retrospect, I was still alive to kick it and curse at it every morning, so I was still winning the game. Life is made up of wins and losses. Focus on the big picture.
In 2003-2005 I had an all-black 1964 R-2 with four on the floor. Found it in N. Texas–I wonder if it was the same car?
I hear ya Beaner. Back in in 1981 when I was a kid I had Chargers, 68-70. I scrapped a 70 R/T, plum crazy, white top, interior and stripe. Needed lower quarter work and a 440 as it blew and had a 383 in it. Passed on a maroon, black top and interior 68 Hemi Charger and a white, black top and interior T/A Challenger, both bodies clean, both 4 speeds but without motors, either $1500.00 or $1800.00 for the pair, I don’t remember. A orange Super bird, black top and interior, 440six pack, 4 speed missing the nose cone and a little rusty, $1200.00. A orange Super bird in WVa, black top and interior, 440 auto at the original dealership. I knew about the car since I was eight (1971) , my dad said it was ugly. I went down on my motorcycle when I was 18 and it was gone. I talked to the owner who said he told Plymouth he would never be able to get rid of it and it sat until 1980 when he sold it to a guy gave him a grand over sticker for it. It supposedly only had 150+ miles on it as he just drove it around the block when they swept the carpet in the showroom. They were just old cars that no one wanted back then.
Gary, different days and times. Things were more reasonable then. I wish I had bought that 63 Chevy, though. Red, white interior. Looked new, low miles. The new car I bought was an OHC six in a Pontiac Tempest. Car never ran right, couldn’t keep it in tune. That 327 was a great motor, bet that wouldn’t have disappointed me as much as the Pontiac. Nothing against them, but haven’t owned a Pontiac since.
I have a similar sad story. In 1969 (at the age of 17) I had the opportunity to purchase a Nomad for $375. Didn’t have the money nor would my parents co-sign for a loan. Oh well.
In 1973, at the age of 18, I could have bought a ’59 Edsel Ranger wagon, 223 L6, three on the tree, a very solid and great running car, for $300. However, in those days it was tough to scrape up half of that amount. Got to wonder whatever happened to that car.
Rick, had a Ford truck with a 223. Great little engine, served me well for many years.
@Russ Dixon the 63 and 64 Studebaker used Paxton superchargers. There are show car only pieces that are missing and will probably have to be made. This will be a high dollar restoration. Who ever buys it will have a rare piece when done. I have only seen one of these.
Here’s my sob story (one of many). Back in the late sixties, I bought a 1956 Chevy 4-door hardtop from a co-worker for $250. It was a patina-ridden, mildly rusty but still rare car. At that time, no one wanted 4 doors, hardtop or not. I sold it for $500 and was SO proud of myself for having doubled my money. (sob)
Every engine piece needed for the R2 can be located but they are very pricey when you find them.
We are taking about a Studebaker here, people. Keep on topic, don’t digress, and save your stories for a more appropriate time, Jesus!
I disagree. It’s like watching tv – if you don’t like what’s on change the channel.
In this instance, if you don’t like the post slide past it.