1963 Studebaker Hawk Gran Turismo

Description

Am I crazy or is this 1963 Studebaker Hawk Gran Turismo a ton of car for not a lot of money? It offers fresh paint, extensive mechanical servicing, and a stylish interior that all make it look and feel far more expensive than its modest sticker price would suggest.

The Brooks Stevens redesign made the Hawk look completely new in 1962 and the design has aged quite well. Comparing this Hawk to its contemporaries, it is remarkably low, sleek, and devoid of styling gimmicks like fins and excessive chrome. Draped in lovely Champagne Gold Iridescent paint, which was on the 1963 Studebaker color wheel, this is a very sophisticated-looking car. The paint is only a few years old and looks spectacular now that it's rendered in two-stage urethane and they obviously spent the time to get it right. The nose shows a distinctly European influence, along with the swept-back lines of the greenhouse and the unbroken curve that stretches from nose to tail. You'll note that the doors fit well, the unique textured trim on the trunk panel is beautifully rendered, and all the chrome sparkles like it only left the showroom recently. Nothing else looks like the Hawk, but they all wish they did.

The Euro-influenced look continues inside with low-back bucket seats wrapped in tan vinyl that looks upscale and inviting. There are a few blemishes here and there, most notably the tears in the sides of the seats, but aside from those minor details, the interior really is in nice shape. Studebaker's aircraft influences were just starting with the Hawk and wouldn't really reveal themselves until the Avanti debuted a few months after this car was built, and the instrument panel is proof. Comprehensive instrumentation with toggle switches along the lower edge of the dash, plus that horn ring that almost looks like an aircraft yoke definitely adds to the aircraft feel. A manual transmission with a Hurst cue ball shifter makes the Hawk feel playful out on the road and the original AM radio is perched up high in the dash. Contrasting carpets add to the artistic look of the interior and there's more textured metal trim on the doors, firmly anchoring this car in the early '60s. The trunk is surprisingly spacious and carries a full-sized spare tire.

The engine isn't the original piece, but rather a Studebaker V8 from an earlier year model. The nicely detailed engine bay wears Studebaker Gold paint on the valve covers and its original air cleaner assembly up top, so it doesn't deviate much from the original specification. The list of recently replaced or restored components is extensive, including tune-up components, the electrical system (including the generator), water pump, and fuel system with electric fuel pump. The 3-speed manual transmission features a Borg-Warner overdrive unit, so it cruises at modern highway speeds without sounding busy, and the suspension is the right combination of supple and competent. A brand new dual exhaust system, shocks, brake lines and shoes, and a rebuilt master cylinder ensure safe, confident operation on the road. Color-matched steel wheels with Studebaker hubcaps carry recent 14-inch whitewall radials.

Hawk production for 1963 totaled just 4,634 units, making this a relatively rare car, and following 1963's production run, the South Bend Studebaker factory closed forever. This Hawk Gran Turismo is a fitting tribute to one of the forgotten names in US automotive history. Call today!