Supercharged: 1963 Studebaker Gran Turismo Hawk

I have long admired the battlers of the automotive world. Armed with minuscule budgets and sky-high enthusiasm, they tried, usually unsuccessfully, to take the fight up to the top end of town. One such marque was Studebaker, a brand that long ago entered the dusty pages of automotive history books. In 1963, it produced this Gran Turismo Hawk, a car featuring a plush interior and a supercharged V8 under the hood. This classic isn’t perfect, but it is a driver-grade vehicle with scope for improvement. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Curvette for spotting the GT Hawk listed here on Craigslist in Bellingham, Washington. The seller set their price at $24,000 for a classic that is a turnkey proposition.

Due to a budget that hovered in the uncomfortable zone between very little and absolute zero, Studebaker used many pre-existing parts to develop the GT Hawk. However, by modifying existing panels, updating a few items, and changing the bright trim, they produced a car that looked significantly more modern than the various Hawk models that preceded it. Gone were the fins and other styling elements dating back to the 1950s, with the 1963 GT Hawk possessing a distinctly European appearance. The seller states that this GT is one of the earliest examples featuring the desirable R2 V8 and Velvet Black paint. The car presents well in the listing images, although the seller admits that close inspection reveals minor imperfections and blisters. It seems that a previous owner repainted the Hawk, and that these issues may be the result of poor preparation. The car’s appearance is acceptable, but some potential buyers may consider a future cosmetic refresh to keep the car looking sharp. One task they won’t face is rust repairs, because this beauty is rock-solid. The grille has a crack, but I cannot spot any shortcomings with the remaining trim or the glass.

If one horsepower per cubic inch of engine capacity is considered the automotive Holy Grail, this GT Hawk ticks that box. As the R2 variant, it features a supercharged 289ci V8 that generates 289hp and 370 ft/lbs of torque. The power feeds to a Twin Traction rear end via a four-speed manual transmission. Studebaker produced only 276 examples of the GT Hawk with the R2 motor, and this car is 1-of-153 with the desirable four-speed. The seller indicates that this beauty is numbers-matching and that the engine was recently rebuilt. They also refreshed the suspension and fuel system and replaced the exhaust. There are tasks for the buyer to tackle, including rebuilding the inoperative power steering and flushing the braking system due to a compatibility issue between the brake fluid and the booster. However, the Hawk remains a trunkey proposition that runs and drives well.

The Hawk’s interior is extremely tidy, with no pressing needs. The Red and Black upholstery combination isn’t original, but it still looks pretty classy. The gauge fascia is currently hammered metal, although the seller includes a NOS woodgrain overlay, allowing the buyer to return that aspect of the dash to its factory form. The carpet is in good condition, and the Hurst shifter should make ratio selection a breeze. The gauges look excellent, and the factory radio will relieve boredom on long journeys.

By the time this GT Hawk rolled off the line in 1963, Studebaker was in deep financial trouble. No amount of creative thinking could save the company from ruin, and its last passenger car left the line in March 1966. It marked the end for a brand that battled throughout its existence, producing interesting cars on a shoestring budget. This rust-free classic is ready to provide a new owner with motoring fun, and the seller’s price looks realistic. Are those thoughts and the relative rarity of the GT Hawk enough to tempt you, or doesn’t the Studebaker ignite a passion in your soul?