The 1962 Studebaker Gran Turismo was the final update of the Hawk badge that first saw the light of day in 1956 when the Golden Hawk was unveiled. It was also part of the company’s last-ditch stand to ward off financial collapse, but it would prove to be a fruitless endeavor. Finding a good one today can be a battle, but our feature car looks like a clean and honest survivor. The owner has decided that the time has come for it to head to a new home, so he has listed it for sale here on eBay. It is located in West Chester, Pennsylvania, and comes with a BIN of $27,500. However, there is the option for interested parties to make an offer.
Even though the Gran Turismo was a restyle of the original Golden Hawk, designer Brooks Stevens managed to completely transform its appearance on a meager budget. It has a more European feel to it, and it is hard to argue with motoring journalists who compared the grille to those offered by Mercedes-Benz at that time. This Studebaker is finished in Ermine White, and it looks quite tidy. There is some color inconsistency across the vehicle, and this might suggest that it has received some touch-up work in the past. However, the panels are straight, and there is no evidence of external rust. The news on this front continues to get better because not only has the Hawk spent most of its life in Arizona, but it was also undercoated at the factory. Those two factors explain why the floors and frame look faultless. The exterior trim and chrome are immaculate, while there are no visible signs of damage to the glass.
Powering the Studebaker is the 289ci V8 that should be pumping out a respectable 225hp. This finds its way to the 3.73 rear end via the optional 4-speed manual transmission. This combination made the Gran Turismo a lively and long-legged true GT car, with the ability to reach a top speed of 118mph. Once again, the news with this car appears to be mostly positive. It has just received a service and tune-up and has been treated to all new belts and hoses, new brakes, and new tires. The owner claims that it has a genuine 64,000 miles on the clock, and judging by the collection of paperwork that comes with the vehicle. I wouldn’t be surprised if he holds the evidence to verify this claim. Surprisingly, he tells us all of this without providing a clear insight into how well the classic runs or drives. However, the owner appears to be quite approachable, so he may be willing to answer questions from genuinely interested parties.
I’m not sure that I would describe this Hawk’s interior as immaculate, but if a buyer is searching for an original survivor in above-average condition, this deserves a closer look. There is some fading on the carpet and a couple of minor wear spots on the upholstery, but the Silver and Taupe interior presents exceptionally well. There are no issues that need to be addressed immediately, and even the couple of wear spots could be repaired by a skilled upholsterer for little cost. One of the interesting aspects of this interior is that the original owner ordered the car with air conditioning and a clock but chose not to spend the extra money for the optional radio. That seems slightly odd, but I think that we’ve all seen stranger things in the classic car world.
The Gran Turismo was a long way from being a bad car, but unfortunately for Studebaker, it proved to be too little, and way too late. The company staggered through until it chose to close its passenger car operations in 1966. The 1962 Gran Turismo Hawk sold in respectable numbers, with 9,335 cars rolling off the production line. However, finding a good one today can be a battle. These were a car susceptible to rust problems, and many that appear on the market today are in desperate need of significant work. This one is an exception to that rule and could be a classic well worth considering if you are looking for something a little bit different.
Is it just me, or is the paint color somewhat inconsistent? Compare the doors with the fenders.
The report DID say some inconsistencies in exterior paint.
🤭
Ton A Mud
Always liked the look of these. Even considered trading my Jag for one.
My dad almost bought a new 62 just like this, but my mom decided she didn’t want to drive a stick again. They settled on a 62 Buick LeSabre. Not all was lost, it was a 401 with a dealer-installed dual quad intake. The downside: I was 10 years old in 62.
Cool dad still let you take it out for rip ?
If you scroll down to the bottom of the ebay listing there’s one for $1,000.
“You are looking at a 1956 Studebaker Hawk, she was a great great project car until we started parting it out. What parts might you need? The engine, trans, rear end and some chrome has already been sold. You can own what is left of this vehicle for only $1,000.” Still glad this didn’t meet a fate with the crusher.
If you scroll down to the bottom of the ebay listing, there’s one listed for $1,000. You are looking at a 1956 Studebaker Hawk, she was a great great project car until we started parting it out. What parts might you need? The engine, trans, rearend and some chrome has already been sold. You can own what is left of this vehicle for only $1,000.” Still glad the crusher didn’t get it.
Nicely equipped car with factory 4-speed, 4bbl and full dash (clock and tach were options). Seat inserts are not original, but attractive, and the aftermarket AC is a welcome addition. Grille shell looks very nice and not rechromed (which often destroys the frosted background of the hawk detail). Not sure what that cut slot in the bottom of the frame is for near the transmission cross member – that’s not factory.
The BIN is a little steep, but maybe you can get it for less or there are plenty more out there to choose from. These cars actually have a fairly good survival rate of the 15K or so made over the 2.5 years they were built.
The A/C isn’t factory. Interior is mismatched. It is not worth any where close to the ask. At least 10k over ask.
I love Hawks and this is the top dog IMHO. I just love the Euro/Yank look. I truly wish I had the room to grab this because I have not seen one in this shape, and with that amazing interior for a while. IMHO the BIN is not off the mark for a car like this…if its as good as it looks in the ad and there are not hidden horrors. Oh to be Jay Leno today..this would be heading back West!
I love this body style. I can almost see Matt Helm driving one through the Italian Alps chasing the bad guy. They have a Europen rake in the side view.
As mentioned elsewhere, the interior fabric is not correct, and it’s a much later A/C system.
The color difference in the front fenders is likely because they were replaced with aftermarket fiberglass fenders [factory originals have not been available for 40+ years], or the rust repair at the back end of the front fenders on most C & K body cars [Hawks included] resulted in the fenders being repainted.
Very nice looking Stude but the potential buyer should give it a thorough look over. The body repair guys that also do the painting that I have become friends with over the years take great pride in their work and would not let it out their shop door if the paint wasn’t perfect. If the paint is that far off I wonder about the quality of the body work done to the car.
…all the GT Hawks I remember seeing through the years were white! Must have been a popular color. This car is imperfect. But it’s about 59 years old. I’m older than that and not perfect either😄
It’s not strictly true to say Studebaker experienced “financial collapse.” They exited the car business, but continued in other industries. They eventually became part of Studebaker-Worthington, which I believe still exists in some form.
the doors were repainted or at making them, doors got a different white paint than the car and that happens in all brands. i think everyone has seen trunk tail fins a different shade .
I agree with @Vince H that this looks to be a basically solid Hawk but is overpriced. You can find these in really nice driver condition for between $12K and $20K. It would be worth more perhaps with explanation of the paint inconsistencies and closer-to-correct restoration seat upholstery (the ’62s had poor quality vinyl fabric so it’s not surprising the inserts on this one were replaced). It’s a nice desirable driver, but yes, the ask is at least $10K high.
I drove a ’62 4-speed belonging to a friend not long ago. Long wheelbase and slow steering make turning sharp corners in town a technique requiring care. Otherwise, it was quite fun in its own 1950s-60s way. I love the look of these and they’ve been on my list for a very long time, but now I think I’ll never own one.
I’m not sure if I’m going cross eyed or flounder eyed. Am I looking at a “T” Bird, a Continental or a Stude on Steroids?
Forrest Gump was right, only in this case as it applied to the Stude Engineers.