I admit I’m probably stretching the “survivor” moniker when it’s pretty obvious that at least part of the car has been repainted (note the color mismatch between the doors and the rest of the car), but there’s a lot to like about this very original Gran Turismo Hawk. It’s listed for sale here on Craigslist and was spotted for Barn Finds by frequent finder Tony Primo. The asking price is $16,500, and this great-looking car might just be worth that much! The car is located in Long Island, New York, but spent most of its life in San Bernardino, California. More about that later.
It amazes me to this day that this bodyshell is essentially an update of Bob Bourke’s (of Raymond Loewy’s firm; the design is often attributed incorrectly to him) 1953 Studebaker Starliner. Famed designer Brooks Stevens updated the look for the 1962 GT Hawk, adding features reminiscent of Studebaker’s partner (for sales in the USA), Mercedes. This was especially apparent in the grille and dash areas. The revised hardtop area reminds me of contemporary Thunderbirds.
The interior of this car is, well, gorgeous (to me at least). The air conditioning appears to be aftermarket, but the seller assures us that it is “ICE ICE ICE COLD.” I think the compressor is a modern Sanden one, which means this might even use R134 rather than the expensive R12 refrigerant. If this is the original interior, the 65,096.6 miles shown have been very kind ones. Please take note of the four-speed shifter as well; yes, we are looking at a V-8-engined, manual-transmission, air-conditioned 1962 American GT for more than $4,000 less than the least expensive new car sold in the US this year (Hyundai Venue, $20,550, in case you’re interested).
The production record (shown below) lists the car as having a four-barrel carburetor, which I found out means the car has the “Power Pack” optional engine, producing 225 horsepower at 4,500 RPM and 305 lb-ft of torque at 2,800 RPM. The V-8 powered the GT to 0-60 times in the 9-second range (sources vary).
As you can see from the record above, the Hawk’s destination was San Bernardino, California. Specifically, Warren & Day Studebaker on E Street.
While it might have been a marketing gimmick, the special plaques engraved at Studebaker’s expense (assuming the dealer turned in the requisite forms) for the original owners of Gran Turismo Hawks look pretty cool. I looked up D. Baxter Brown online and found voting records for a Due Baxter Brown in San Bernardino from at least 1954 through 1962. Perhaps you could find some of his descendants, or maybe Mr. Brown is still with us? Regardless, I really like this GT and I’m guessing at least some of you do as well. Have any of you owned or driven one?
Nice car. Have driven one and they are pretty quick.
Nice find 👍