One of the constants in any discussion of America’s independent automakers is the fact that they had to do more with less.  Lacking the development budget of the Big Three, these smaller automakers had to rely on unique designs that targeted segments of the market they could compete in.  Often, those designs had to last longer than ones of more established makes as well.  Take for example this 1960 Studebaker Hawk that eagle-eyed reader Miguel found for us here on craigslist near Portland, Oregon.  This rough example of one of Studebaker’s most enduring designs is currently for sale on a salvage title for just $1,450.

The Hawk line of Studebakers can trace its lineage back to the incredibly well styled 1953 Studebaker Starlight coupe.  Designed by Robert Bourke of Raymond Loewy Associates, the Starlight was a radical departure from nearly every American car built up to that time.  Sitting radically lower than the competition, these angelic coupes foretold the stance of automobiles to come.  The overall look was clean and fresh, but the styling trends of the fifties and sixties soon mandated that fins and other styling gimmicks change the car over the years in ways that did not flatter the original look.  Predictably, the styling of other Studebaker models copied the Starliners lines to capitalize on the car’s popularity.

While the Studebaker Hawk line was not an identical copy, it was close enough to see the family resemblance.  These cars helped to keep the former wagonmaker afloat during the late fifties, but a curious thing happened to the Hawk line in 1960.  A prolonged steel strike hit Studebaker very hard, necessitating their decision to divert incoming steel to the newly introduced Lark’s assembly line.  When the dust settled, the production of Hawks was obviously less than it could have been.  At that point, Studebaker could ill afford to lose any sales whatsoever.

This particular Hawk, a 1960 model, is rather rough but mostly complete.  The seller tells us that the body is good, but the floors and trunk are suffering from rust damage.  The extent of this damage is, however, not disclosed.  We can also see that some likely hard to find trim pieces are missing.  Inside, you can add the door panels, door handles, and window cranks to the list of absent items.  At least the gauges, radio, and stainless steel dash panel are still present.  We can also make out the column shift for the three-speed manual transmission.  Thankfully, the car is equipped with an overdrive as well.

While the front seats are likely originals, the back seat is anything but.  Perhaps it is the grease-covered grey mouse fur upholstery cloth that is throwing us off here.  Looking at the interior, it appears that the next owner will have just enough to work with, simultaneously keep them marching towards both eventual restoration and a trip to the poor house.  At least the glass looks to be in good condition.

Under the hood is Studebaker’s 289 cubic inch V-8.  Everything except for the air cleaner seems to be present.  You can also make out some rodent refuse in front of the intake manifold.   The spark plugs lying on top of the valve covers remind us that the seller is soaking the cylinders in Marvel Mystery Oil to get the pistons unstuck.  Rest easy though.  The seller tells us that there is no reason that it shouldn’t run!

So, what does one do with a Studebaker Hawk in such condition?  My thought is that the car would make a cool mild custom.  Finding all the missing parts and pieces and restoring everything back to showroom condition would cost a mint.  Why not have fun with the car by shaving off most of the chrome, painting it an eye-catching color combination, giving it a comfortable interior, and a drivetrain transplant?  If you only have $1,450 in the base car, that leaves a lot of room in your budget for improvements. What would you do with this one?