The Gran Turismo, or GT, was the final incarnation of Studebaker’s Hawk series. It was the product of a company teetering on the edge of oblivion, but it still provided buyers with excellent luxury and performance. Our feature car, a 1962 GT Hawk, presents well as an unrestored survivor. It has no apparent needs and is not only a turnkey proposition, but it is undeniably affordable. The seller has listed the Studebaker here on Craigslist in Florence, Arizona. Their price of $8,000 puts it within the reach of most enthusiasts, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder T.J. for spotting this survivor.
Studebaker released the GT Hawk for the 1962 model year, although it wasn’t an entirely new offering. It featured significantly upgraded panels draped over the underpinnings of the aging Hawk range. The company had the Ford Thunderbird and Pontiac Grand Prix in its sights, but its aspirations far exceeded its ability. This GT rolled off the line during the first year, with its original owner ordering it in Ermine White. The seller describes it as a survivor, suggesting it has never undergone restoration. The paint isn’t showroom fresh, but it holds a nice shine and presents quite well. Any defects in it or the steel are minor, meaning the buyer could choose between preservation or restoration. A refresh would be straightforward because the panels are straight, and a dry-climate existence means it is rust-free. The trim condition is consistent with the car’s survivor status, and the glass is free from apparent defects.
Studebaker didn’t restrict its upgrades to the exterior with the GT, updating its predecessor’s interior for a more contemporary feel. Buyers could load it with desirable options, but it appears this car’s first owner was pretty conservative. The buyer receives a factory radio but no air conditioning or power windows. The interior could be this classic’s highlight because its condition is impressive. The seller once again emphasizes originality, and the lack of wear on the Red upholstered surfaces and carpet suggests this Hawk has led a sheltered existence. The dash and faux woodgrain are excellent, and the Arizona sun hasn’t baked the dashpad or other interior components.
Buyers could order two versions of Studebaker’s 289ci V8 to power their 1962 GT Hawk, with this car’s original owner selecting the range-topping 4-barrel powerplant. It sends 225hp and 305 ft/lbs of torque to the Twin Traction rear end via the desirable four-speed manual transmission. The power and torque figures appear quite conservative compared to the opposition because the Pontiac Grand Prix delivered at least 230hp and 380 ft/lbs, while Ford Thunderbird drivers had 300hp and 427 ft/lbs at their disposal. However, the GT springs a surprise, shadowing the T-Bird over the ¼-miles and showing the entry-level Grand Prix a clean set of heels. This Hawk is consistent, with the seller indicating it runs and drives well. It sits on new tires, so flying in and driving home is a tempting scenario.
Studebaker aspired to compete on level terms with the Grand Prix and Thunderbird when it released the 1962 GT Hawk, but the sales figures reveal the mountain the company faced. Pontiac sold 30,195 examples of the Grand Prix, and Ford found homes for 78,011 Thunderbirds. Studebaker mustered 9,335 sales in 1962, and the gap only grew as sales slumped, and the ax fell at the end of 1964. The 1962 GT Hawk is unlikely to become a mega-bucks classic, although values are climbing steadily. The seller’s price is competitive in light of recent successful sales. If affordability and rarity are key considerations for your next purchase, this Hawk might be the answer.
Always liked these and this one looks nice, and a great deal to boot. If only my garage, [and insurance roster] wasn’t so full…
C’mon inside and take your metamucil George, Matlock is on.
Nice car, but this “original survivor” has a ’64 grille and a late ’50’s chrome hood scoop insert. Also has ’63-64 seats. Still, probably worth $8K all day.
and oh-so-close to me!
Nice catch on the hood ornament. The seats? Teach me, I’m not seeing a difference on the google search.
The factory inserts on ’62’s had horizontal pleats, as opposed to vertical as in this car and ’63 and ’64 model years. The original ’62 all-vinyl was prone to early cracking along the seams between the pleats.
I agree on the hood and seats. I took delivery of my ’63 Hawk on May 14, 1963. Like the seller’s car it was White with Red interior. The vinyl seats of the 1962 had a horizontal pleat pattern and had a reputation for short life. The seating employed on my 1963 Hawk was Naugahyde which was more durable than the 1962 vinyl and had a vertical pleat pattern. The seller’s car appears to have the later 1963-64 Naugahyde seats.
The ’62 Hawk grill differed from the ’63 and ’64 grills. The ’63 grill had a rectangular red, white and blue emblem at the lower left (some 63’s appear to have had a circular badge). The ’64 grill sports a winged Hawk badge in the center as shown on the seller’s car.
The 1962 Hawks had chrome headlight rims, the seller’s car has body color
rims like the ’63 and ’64 Hawks. As with the different hood and grill, this could be a visual upgrade or it might be due to frontend damage and replacement. A close inspection is recommended.
My idea of a visual upgrade was to weld brackets inside the front bumper guards and install a pair of Lucas SRT/SFT576 long range and fog lights with toggle switches for same replacing the ashtray in the center console. The auxiliary lights complimented the Hawk’s Euro-style grill and really lit up the road on late night backcountry drives.
yep….like you said – worth 8g’s all day long…..
It has ’63-’64 headlight bezels, also (which I prefer) and ’64 door panels. I think the righthand side of the dash might be wood grained also, which would be mid-’63 on.
These are gorgeous cars, my favorite next to the original 1953 version. No one, not even AMC, could do more with less than Studebaker did.
This is $8,000? Wow. This is a head scratcher. Running, driving, and not rotting into the ground.
This is the PACKARD of Studebaker! Beautiful classic formal styling. If only both Marques could have held on! What a contrast to ugly, basic Lark. 🤮. Guess that Studebaker saved the best for last.
as incredulous as you mite be to hear this,there a a few folks who like the lLarks a lot.
My late father bought a new Lark in the fall of 59 as his drive to work car. From the beginning it was plagued with mechanical issues. Local dealer could never solve these.Eventually he drove to Studebaker in South Bend. Even factory couldn’t or wouldn’t fix the problems. He called it his South Bend vibrater and traded for a Plymouth Valiant. The Studebaker was so stripped down, it didn’t even have a radio. Meanwhile Mom’s DeSoto ran like a top in glorious splendor.
Like a lot of Americans these got porky since the slim 1953-55 models. Still a lot to like with a 4 speed and $8K.
A real great Automobile at a great price would love to own it !!!!!!
I just love Hawks and this one is the cherry on top for me.I call it the Eurohawk because it could easily be Italian or German in profile.I so wish I had room and I would snatch this up in a heartbeat..and yes fly out and drive home..And it says “Gran Turismo” on the doors..not boring old “GT” ( boy is that overused!)
That Studebaker mill is sturdy as a tank. Good buy for the money.
I hope this is not the only one left in existence! These were common in my day now they’re rare as hen’s teeth. Good luck to the seller. NOTE: Don’t give it away to get rid of it, it’s always going to be worth more than you’re going to get.
Haven’t seen a hen’s tooth or even a MAD Ren Hen 🐔 in ages! 🤔 But agree this is a rare beauty!
In 62 we were replacing our 57 Plymouth, and about to purchase a 62 Hawk GT 4 speed, but mom put her foot down, she didn’t like Studebakers and didn’t want to drive a stick car again (we had a 50 Studebaker Commander convert with a 3 speed) so we ended up with a 62 Buick LeSabre. Not all was lost, however, as it was equipped with the 401 and dealer-installed dual quads!
Florence AZ ,south of Phoenix and home to the Stste Prison.
Just called the guy. Told him I’d buy it. He’s already got a guy coming from California on Tuesday to look at it, if he doesn’t buy it I will.
Good luck Henry hope you get it.
Thanks Kurt! I’ve already got one of these, but with an automatic. Been looking for a manual I could afford for years. Fingers crossed!
Alas, he told me guy was coming to look at it this morning at 9am. He’d text me as to the result. Haven’t heard from him, no answer to calls, texts or emails. Guess he sold it.
Why is the clutch pedal bigger then the brake pedal?