Mention Studebaker and the year 1963, in the same breath, and most will assume that you’re talking about the end for the South Bend, Indiana-based, manufacture of cars and wheeled vehicles that dated back to the Conestoga wagon era. Unfortunately, that was the case and things were looking shaky but Studebaker still had a laudable model line-up that year. And one standout model was the Gran Turismo Hawk, part of the performance-oriented Hawk series that debuted in 1956. Care to see a 1963 example? Here you go, this GT Hawk is located in Jupiter, Florida and is available here on craigslist for $4,100 or a serious offer.
At the end of ’63, Studebaker shut down their South Bend, Indiana operation leaving only their Hamilton, Ontario plant operational but that too would be shuttered in 1966, bringing an end to the 114-year-old storied marque. But in ’63, performance was clearly on Studebaker’s mind as they offered not only the muscled-up Gran Turismo Hawk but also, the new for ’63, high-style, personal luxury/performance coupe known as the Avanti. Beyond that, the Lark, in all of its bread and butter iterations, was the volume seller. There was even a hot-rod oriented Lark known as the “Daytona”. GT Hawk production for ’63 was about 4K units with another 1,400 following in its abbreviated and final 1964 model year.
When it comes to performance, the GT Hawk was no shrinking violet and its stand-out powerplant was a 289 HP, super-charged 289 CI V8 known as the “R2” and that’s exactly what we have here. But here’s a new one, the seller states, “It ran prior to being park prior to Covid, will need a going through“. I’ve come across the old “ran when parked” toss-off before but never “ran before Covid” – the times, they are a-changin’. Additionally stated is, “The supercharger is not connected, so that will need to be rebuilt“. From what can be seen, the blower is present but some of the connectivity parts may be missing. And that “a going through” comment? That could mean an entire variety of stuff. Anyway, a three-speed automatic transmission backs up the blower-fed engine.
The exterior of this GT Hawk shows typical signs of age, mostly with its deteriorated finish. The body panels are straight, all of the trim is present and there is no immediate indication of rust. It appears that the wheel covers, or wheel centers, may be missing but it all appears to be there. The seller suggests, “If you always wanted one of these, this is a good base“. That seems like an accurate assessment.
Get a load of that interior! Matching upholstery and instrument panel? I don’t think that’s how things were originally intended. The upholstery is supposed to be a rolled vinyl, usually black, not a lounge-lizard flash with felt bolsters. From what can be seen, this redo has encountered some wear but its condition is presentable. The gauge package on a Hawk is impressive in its functionality and legibility but it’s tough to focus on the instruments with that applique competing for eyeball observation. I’d say the interior negates the seller’s thought of, “This is a survivor car and I think it is mostly original“.
The listing suggests that a Studebaker Gran Turismo Hawk is “a real head turner if you want something different“. I’m down with that thought and the supercharged engine ups the desirability of this scarce model that much more so. Considering its exterior condition, this example does seem like a sound project start – but that interior? That’s gotta go, wouldn’t you agree?
Okay “ran before covid” is hilarious and original.
I guess “before Covid” can be defined as anytime between 1963 and December 2019. So how long since it last ran & drove?
Ran when parked at the ICU.
I am not amused by the irrational description provided by the seller.
I agree. I was outraged, embarrassed and annoyed. I will not make an offer on this car as a result.
Thank you for reading my reply.
I am sure he doesn’t care what you think.
Seems like a bargain compared to what one would reach restored, or for its rarity. However you’re going to earn it just having to look at that interior!
What is your bottom price. I have the means to replace the interior and was a life time member of the STUDEBACER OWNERS CLUB.
I dont recall a stand up emblem like a Mercedes . Did they ever make one? Or is this another modification?
Matt c,
The stand-up hood ornament made it’s appearance in mid 1963 for the 1964 cars, and was an option on most models except Avanti. Many Studebaker dealers updated the ’63 Hawks by adding the stand-up hood ornament.
Paul G write: “However you’re going to earn it just having to look at that interior!”
Some careful masking and a can of spray paint could be a first step. You wouldn’t want to *drive* it that way, but you’d avoid having to look at it as it now sits! :-) :-)
A great car, at a reasonable price. Shakespear’s last plays were tragi-comedies, some of each in each of the last 3 he wrote. Life is really like that, some sad, some funny, often rolled togther. Same should go here, the coffin car and the write-up on this one – both sad and funny at the same time are OK.
The interior merely proves the truth in the adage – Some people have their taste only in their mouth. What an aesthetic disaster
Engine picture shows 2bbl carb. All r-series cars in 1963 and 1964 were 4bbl carb, so this is most likely a supercharger tacked onto a base model 289. Also the valve covers and lifter galley cover were chromed. I have a factory R-1 Lark with build sheet as evidence.
I noticed that issue with the carburetor but don’t know Studebaker engines well enough to have made that call. The seller claims that it did run before 2020 but I wonder how, as in did the supercharger actually play a role or is it just tacked on.
Thx,
JO
Jim,
These ’57/’58 Golden Hawks [and the supercharged Packards of the same years] had engines that still ran with the drive belt missing. While there was a slight decrease in performance because the intake air had to go thru the supercharger passages, I never noticed a difference just driving in normal street use.
Agree – first thing I noticed was the “259” appearance. Usually a R2 car had it’s badges – not so much on R1 cars but oh well – any docs would prove is wrong.
Us wrong….or is it is ?
Beware that is not a R2 engine. It has the supercharger set up from a Golden Hawk. I would have to see it to confirm it is worth the ask. It might not even have the heavy duty transmission.
Vince,
As usual, you and I came to the same conclusion. First, the non-chrome valve covers are correct for a 1963 Non “R” series Hawk, with only 2 studs to hold the valve covers down.
My guess is like yours, someone bolted the 1957-58 engine parts and supercharger onto a standard 1963 289 V8. While it will run, because it won’t have the lower compression heads needed because of the supercharger, using hi-test fuel is a no-no if the supercharger is engaged.
And for anyone not familiar with the supercharger for these cars, it’s the later Paxton version, not the McCulloch shown here, and it fed a pressurized 4-barrel carb, not the smaller carb in an enclosure, shown here.
If you just want an impressive LOOKING supercharged Hawk and don’t care about originality, this is a good buy unless you intend to use the supercharger. It’s a good price, assuming it’s not rusted badly.
This car has been “for sale” on other sites fir a while now and has no takers. Guess all of the comments are true
This looks like someone tacked the supercharger and its mounting bracket from a 1957 Golden Hawk ( or a Packard Hawk) onto a stock V8 Hawk engine.
I’ve owned a 57 Golden Hawk, a 58 Packard Hawk AND a 63 R2 Avanti, so I know both engines well. What is missing is the pressure box that enclosed the stock Stromberg WWV 2 bbl carb of the 57/58 Hawks. The linkages and accessories on the carb in the picture are not consistent with the Stromberg. As stated by others, R2 engines had Carter AFB 4 bbl carbs, which was a sealed carb with a chromed cast aluminum “air horn” on top. A failed attempt to supercharge what was likely a low end 289 2bbl 210 HP GT Hawk. The yellow paint on the valve covers tells the tale.