Solid V8 Driver: 1961 Studebaker Hawk

Some cars feature fairly generic styling that blends into the scenery like an automotive chameleon. No such criticism could be leveled at this 1961 Studebaker Hawk. Its distinctive fins and side profile are instantly recognizable, so you won’t mistake it for a vehicle from another marque. This gem is an extremely tidy, driver-grade vehicle featuring an excellent interior and a sweet V8 under the hood. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Curvette for spotting the Hawk listed here on Craigslist in The Dalles, Oregon. You could fly in and drive it home after handing the seller $19,500.

With the Golden Hawk and the Packard Hawk both disappearing at the end of 1958, the Silver Hawk was effectively the last man standing in 1959. With no reason to differentiate it from others in the same series, the company rebranded it as the Hawk in 1960. It would carry the same model designation in 1961 before being replaced by the GT Hawk in 1962. This final-year example is a driver-grade classic that has been the seller’s prized possession for over thirty years. They don’t portray it as a pristine vehicle or a trailer queen, using the car as its creators intended. The Blue Metallic shade gracing its panels doesn’t appear on that year’s color charts, suggesting a comprehensive change at some point. It presents nicely, with no major cosmetic shortcomings. The paint shines nicely, the panels are as straight as an arrow, and rust isn’t a problem. The trim and glass look excellent, and although the wheel combination isn’t original, the seller includes the factory wheel covers in the sale.

The 1961 Hawk wasn’t the most powerful car on the planet, but it still provided very respectable performance. This Hawk’s 289ci V8 should send approximately 225hp and 305 ft/lbs of torque to the rear wheels via an overdrive manual transmission. It doesn’t have power steering or power brakes, but the seller upgraded the latter with front discs. The V8 exhales through a dual exhaust, so it should sound pretty sweet. The engine bay presentation is impressive, and it doesn’t flatter to deceive. The seller confirms that this Studebaker runs and drives well, with no mechanical maladies or issues.

Trimmed in a striking combination of Blue cloth and vinyl, the Hawk’s interior is as tidy as its exterior. The cloth on the front seats exhibits slight wear, but I can’t spot any evidence that holes will be a problem in the future. The carpet looks excellent, and the machine-turned dash fascia is spotless. It lacks any factory options, and the seller upgraded the original radio to a radio/cassette player. As with the exterior, it isn’t pristine, but the interior is comfortably acceptable for a driver-grade classic.

It is fair to say that by the time this Studebaker Hawk rolled off the line in 1961, its styling was dated. Fins were rapidly disappearing, but the harsh reality was that, with the company balanced on the edge of financial oblivion, it didn’t have the budget for a significant restyle. Studebaker seriously considered discontinuing Hawk production entirely at the end of 1959, focusing its energy and manufacturing capacity on the Lark. It plowed on, but dated styling, compared with similar offerings from the “Big Three,” meant sales declined. Only 3,929 examples left showroom floors in 1961 before the GT Hawk’s release for the 1962 model year. Natural attrition means that number has dropped significantly, although rarity doesn’t always translate into a stratospheric market value or strong long-term investment potential. The seller’s price is realistic for a car of this caliber, but is that enough for you to consider pursuing this Hawk further?