Here’s one you don’t see often, a Studebaker GT Hawk! While Studebaker built a number of Hawks, between the various models, the final run of cars wasn’t produced in large numbers. The GT Hawk debuted in 1962, with just 8,388 cars being built. This one is equipped with it’s original 289 V8 and a 4-speed manual, which makes this a rather rare find. The seller lists this one as being a ’62, but the turn signals would suggest it’s a ’63. That’s alright though, either way it’s a cool find. It’s currently located in Bridgton, Maine with an asking price of $8,200 and you can view it here on craigslist.
The interior looks to be in decent shape, but could use some work. It’s definitley usable as is and is well appointed. Since Studebaker wasn’t as large a manufacturer as the Big 3, there was a fair amount of parts share between other Studebaker models, so that hopefully means any needed parts can be sourced easily.
Under the hood, you’ll find a 289 cui V8. It appears to be the 210 horsepower version, but it should offer plenty of power to be a nice driver. Buyer’s could option their GT Hawk with a supercharger V8, which made for some very impressive performance. While this car’s engine probably won’t ever off that level of performance, some bolt-on upgrades could make it a very capable cruiser, especially paired to the 4-speed.
The Grand Turismo Hawk is my personal favorite iteration of the Hawk line. The styling is great, with clean lines and just the right amount of chromework. Not that the other Hawks aren’t also beautiful cars, I just prefer the cleaner looks lof the GT. This one isn’t perfect, but looks like a decent driver that could be improved while you drive it. Whether you upgrade it or leave it as is, it should be a fun classic to have. And the fact that you don’t see them often should make it a real head turner! Which of the Hawks is your favorite?
$8,200 seems like a great deal, makes me suspicious.
I think the price is pretty fair. I’ve got 2 of these, one about as nice as this one, and as I remember I gave $5K for it about 5 years ago. I’ve been throwing money at it ever since, but that’s MY problem, not the car’s! 4 speed is a real plus. Parts are easily obtainable and not particularly expensive. Studebaker International has an amazing inventory of parts. Turning Wheels is a monthly magazine put out by the Studebaker Driver’s Club…I highly recommend joining. They’ve got experts available who can answer just about any questions.
If it sounds too good to be true, it probably isn’t.
Hello, my grandfather likes to read and see all these cars but recently he’s been getting pop up advertisements that are extremely inappropriate. He struggles with the internet sometimes and typing and he commented on a previous article where his writing was incoherent and didn’t receive much help. He didn’t mean for any aggression. Can any one help us?
I’ll send you an email so we can help your grandfather out.
“ Original Studebaker 350 Ford engine..” is there a Studie aficionado out there that could explain that to me?
Always did like these; with a 4 spd there’s more cool factor and this is a crazy low price.
“Original Studebaker 350 Ford engine.” What?? There was never a Studebaker 350 or a 350 Ford engine. Besides…. the valve covers clearly identify it as a Studebaker 289.
I liked this Studie, one of the last ones that I did. Still had the flair of a car in movement, pretty comfy inside as well.
I’ll bet that this is a good looking car but without full side pictures it’s hard to tell. Seems to be the thing not to do lately. I agree this year car is the best looking one of all the Hawks.
Yep Bob, I went through the pictures twice looking for a full side view, then decided must be something they didn’t want us to see.
82,000 miles for $8200! Only $10/mile!!
10 cents a mile
American Designer Brook Stevens is responsible for the successful transformation of the original Raymond Loewy design. Stevens worked with Loewy during his career, so that probably helped.
A simple fiberglass cap transformed the fifties roofline to a new formal roof, and a new hood, with a grille clearly inspired by Mercedes-Benz finished the transformation. It just so happened that Studebaker was the American distributor for Daimler-Benz at this time, so the design worked will in the showroom, too.
Stevens was especially good at this kind of transformation, having created the Willys Itamaraty for Brazil from unused Willys Aero tooling. Some of his other notable creations were the original Jeep Cherokee of the ’60s and the Excalibur, which was originally intended as a production halo car for Studebaker to drive showroom traffic.
George, my restoration shop specialized in Studebakers. We’ve worked on many Hawks, and I’ve owned quite a few over the last 50+ years, including ’62 thru ’64 GT Hawks.
I can assure you the new squared roof panel is 100 % steel, a 1-piece stamping.
All Studebaker Hawks had the same basic hood panel, except for the first year [1956], as it had a small hood bump, much like a ’55 to ’57 T-bird hood bump. For 1957-58 Golden Hawks, the hood was modified to install a fiberglass hump to allow clearance for the McCulloch Supercharger. The visual change in 1962 was a more aggressive chrome center grill.
I’m pretty sure it’s a ’63 unless they swapped out a LOT of front end parts, including headlight rings. I have a ’62 and front end is a lot different.
Price wise: I paid about this much for mine 2 years ago. However, it had sat for 20 years and required gas tank replacement, complete brakes including lines, carb, fuel pump, distributor, etc etc. I value it at 14K or more now.
This car looks like it has the original interior. Well known fact that ’62 cars had such a lousy vinyl that almost none survive. This one looking so nice tells me again, ’63 car. Along with the aluminum truck emblem which had black squares in ’62.
Fred,
This is likely a ’62 car. The best way to know is the VIN, or the body tag attached to the right side of the firewall. The seats are ’62. ’63 seats have vertical seams for the ribs, the ’62 has horizontal ribs as seen here. The Rear trunk lid brightwork panel has very small “Studebaker” letters as seen here. 1963 the letters were made larger, and in 1964 the panel was eliminated.
The 1962 engines have the oil filler cap at the front of the valley pan as on this car. The 1963 Hawks had the oil filler cap moved to the left valve cover. If it’s a ’63, it’s got a ’62 engine.
The side grills that hold the round parking lights on the ’63 GT are on this car, and the headlight rings are body color at the back section. These show the car does indeed have 1963 parts, the other front pieces are the same, so it’s possible the side grills and headlight rims have been updated. This is not that uncommon, I’ve heard various dealers updated new ’62 Hawks to the ’63 parts to help them sell.
I’m just a little confused, can anyone explain what a Studebaker 350 Ford engine is
Easy ! It’s an engine that never existed !
Many people believe that since Studebaker had a 289 that it was a Ford engine. However the Studebaker 289 came out before the ford 289. I have no idea where the 350 cam from.
can you post a pic of the dash & door pnels please, thank you, do you have the rear armrests also?
I bet if you run the numbers on the block it would come back as a 259. I’d like to see close ups of rears of front fenders and underneath shots inside of rear quarters and floor pans.