Photo: hawkman775/eBay
Studebaker is now mostly famous for the Avanti. This innovative sports car set many speed records upon its introduction in the early 1960s. But the Avanti wasn't the only nameplate that got the company's supercharged V8 engine. The Hawk series was also offered with the high-performance mill.
Studebaker launched its first Hawk models in 1956. A successor to the limited-edition 1955 Speedster, the Hawk expanded the company's presence in the personal luxury car market. The series included four different models for the first model year. The Flight Hawk came with an inline-six engine, while the Power Hawk was the entry-level V8 option.
The Sky Hawk arrived in showrooms with the 289-cubic-inch (4.7-liter) V8, and the Golden Hawk topped the range with a Packard big-block engine rated at 275 horsepower and more premium features.
While the latter soldiered on through 1958, the other three Hawks were discontinued for 1957. The Silver Hawk was the only offering in 1959, replaced by the Hawk in 1960. Finally, Studebaker developed the Gran Turismo Hawk for the 1962 model year and kept it in production through 1964.
The final iteration of the Hawk series, the Gran Turismo showcased significant modifications compared to its predecessors. Redesigned on a budget by Brooks Stevens, the car lost its 1950-style tailfins and body-side trim and gained a modern dashboard and bucket seats.
Sadly, the GT Hawk didn't do much to help save the company. The grand tourer moved only 9,335 units in 1962 before sales dropped to just 4,634 examples in 1963. The following year, only 1,484 customers took one home, making the 1964 Gran Turismo one of the rarest Studebakers in existence.
The Jet Green example you see here is one of those cars. And if that's not rare enough, you should know that this GT Hawk rocks a supercharged V8 under the hood. The blown engine makes it one of only 70 R2 versions ever produced.
Sourced from the Avanti, this mill entered the Hawk lineup in 1962. Studebaker also offered a naturally aspirated version rated at 240 horsepower. The supercharged variant, on the other hand, sent 289 horses to the rear wheels, a notable upgrade even when compared to the Packard-powered 1956 Golden Hawk (275 horsepower).
Why is this engine so rare in 1964 Studebakers? Well, the company was facing bankruptcy, and only some customers were willing to spend serious cash on a performance option added to an already relatively expensive car. Fortunately, while many R2 vehicles were lost to rust and engine swaps, this GT Hawk survived for almost 60 years to tell its story.
Now with its third owner, the Studebaker has been garage-kept for the last 40 years. And I guess that explains why the coupe is still in good condition despite being an unrestored classic. Sure, the Jet Green paint job needs a refresh, but the body is straight and rust-free.
The interior also shows wear and tear, but overall, it looks better than most unrestored survivors out there. The supercharged V8 and the four-speed manual still work, but the owner says the engine "smokes quite a bit" when it fires up. All told, the drivetrain needs a tune-up, and some of the old components must be replaced.
This rare and fantastic survivor (by the way, the manual gearbox makes it one of fewer than 30 units built) is looking for a new home as we speak. The car is located in Battle Ground, Washington, and it's being auctioned off on eBay. Bidding has reached $12,100 with six days to go, but the reserve is still in place.
The Sky Hawk arrived in showrooms with the 289-cubic-inch (4.7-liter) V8, and the Golden Hawk topped the range with a Packard big-block engine rated at 275 horsepower and more premium features.
While the latter soldiered on through 1958, the other three Hawks were discontinued for 1957. The Silver Hawk was the only offering in 1959, replaced by the Hawk in 1960. Finally, Studebaker developed the Gran Turismo Hawk for the 1962 model year and kept it in production through 1964.
The final iteration of the Hawk series, the Gran Turismo showcased significant modifications compared to its predecessors. Redesigned on a budget by Brooks Stevens, the car lost its 1950-style tailfins and body-side trim and gained a modern dashboard and bucket seats.
Sadly, the GT Hawk didn't do much to help save the company. The grand tourer moved only 9,335 units in 1962 before sales dropped to just 4,634 examples in 1963. The following year, only 1,484 customers took one home, making the 1964 Gran Turismo one of the rarest Studebakers in existence.
The Jet Green example you see here is one of those cars. And if that's not rare enough, you should know that this GT Hawk rocks a supercharged V8 under the hood. The blown engine makes it one of only 70 R2 versions ever produced.
Sourced from the Avanti, this mill entered the Hawk lineup in 1962. Studebaker also offered a naturally aspirated version rated at 240 horsepower. The supercharged variant, on the other hand, sent 289 horses to the rear wheels, a notable upgrade even when compared to the Packard-powered 1956 Golden Hawk (275 horsepower).
Why is this engine so rare in 1964 Studebakers? Well, the company was facing bankruptcy, and only some customers were willing to spend serious cash on a performance option added to an already relatively expensive car. Fortunately, while many R2 vehicles were lost to rust and engine swaps, this GT Hawk survived for almost 60 years to tell its story.
Now with its third owner, the Studebaker has been garage-kept for the last 40 years. And I guess that explains why the coupe is still in good condition despite being an unrestored classic. Sure, the Jet Green paint job needs a refresh, but the body is straight and rust-free.
The interior also shows wear and tear, but overall, it looks better than most unrestored survivors out there. The supercharged V8 and the four-speed manual still work, but the owner says the engine "smokes quite a bit" when it fires up. All told, the drivetrain needs a tune-up, and some of the old components must be replaced.
This rare and fantastic survivor (by the way, the manual gearbox makes it one of fewer than 30 units built) is looking for a new home as we speak. The car is located in Battle Ground, Washington, and it's being auctioned off on eBay. Bidding has reached $12,100 with six days to go, but the reserve is still in place.
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