As the final update to the seminal Loewy-designed 1953 Starliner Coupe, the Hawk Gran Turismos are one of the more successful cosmetic refreshes ever. The clean lines and Mercedes-esque grille and features just add to the sophisticated look, and illustrates how closely Studebaker and Mercedes were working together at the time. Pure class! Thanks to reader Robert R for this great find! The two Hawks are located in the East Bay area in California and are for sale here on craigslist for $6,450 for the pair. The seller describes the gold car as being the one they would start working on as it runs and drives, as well as having some recent work done on both drivetrain and brakes. The gold body is solid with one spot of rust, but the paint is faded and the interior and badges have seen better days. The white car has not run in 25 years, but the trim, badges and interior are excellent. The seller recommends using the good cosmetic parts on the white car to improve the gold car, but I see a parent-child project here with both cars ending up back on the road. What do you see?
The GT Hawks were some of the best styled cars of the 60’s. It is a shame they were produced during Studebaker’s dying days. I wish I could save both of these cars. They both look fairly solid.
I’ve always loved the early ’60s Hawks. Came very close to buying a very cheap one for sale here but it was rotty with rust. According to the ad, these have spent the last 30 years in CA so hopefully they’re free of cancerous rust. (1960s Studebakers rust out badly)
It’s a shame both appear to have column mounted automatics. IMO the floor mounted shifter looks so much better. Otherwise this is a pair of cars that I’m glad they’re over 1,000 miles away. If they were local it would possibly be to big of a temptation…
Jamie, another example of good taste, thanks for the posting and write up. Some one should save these.
Never much liked the styling of the hawks- except for this restyle.Always thought they would look good tutoned. The white one is far above a parts car.
bonus points if you can name the 4 cars/body shells in the background. i too hope these both get saved. might make some nice drivers. great finds.
wish they wernt so far I knew a guy here in fl had 4 no miles at all had a horse farm I dated his manger he was a retired dealer years go and saved these 4 what ever became of them iam not sure they were in one of the barns in oldsmar I had a 57 silver hawk I brought back from vegs in 03 should have not sold that one eather but a good buy for the right guy just shiping to fla would be almost as much as the cars
These are lovely and both should be saved. Sharp Brooks Stevens restyle of the ’53 Loewy/Bob Bourke classic original.
Fit it up with the optional Paxton supercharger and it will really go.
THANK YOU Barn Finds for picking up my ad! I was pleasantly surprised to open my daily mail from you to see my cars! Hopefully someone in our community will pick one or both of these up, they are good solid cars and should be saved!
Located in Richmond CA, I can assist with delivery on a short haul basis if needed. And all the other hulks lying around here?? Let’s just say I suffer from an English addiction…..
@CT, “hi” and thanks for checking in with us! Good luck with the sale, and as a fellow English addiction sufferer, I share your pain…