Studebaker was driving its own road in 1962, and the trim, European-style GT Hawk provided a distinctive alternative to the cars coming out of Detroit. A continuation of Raymond Loewy’s sleek 1953 Starliner, the coupe had solidified into the trends of the era with a squared-off roofline and bold chrome grille.
The Pick of the Day is a top-of-the-line 1962 Studebaker Gran Turismo Hawk that has been restored in the black-paint treatment that looks best with these cars, coupled with a bright-red interior. The chrome accents, including the bright strips that run across the tops of the fenders and belt lines from headlights to taillights, as well as the roof-pillar accents, stand out nicely from the black background.
The Studebaker is powered by a 289cid V8 that is “date-code correct,” according to the St. Charles, Missouri, dealer advertising the car on ClassicCars.com. The 225-horsepower engine is outfitted with a four-barrel carburetor, Offenhauser-finned valve covers and dual exhaust.
Power is transmitted through a three-speed automatic transmission and Dana 44 rear with a 3.54:1 ratio, the ad says.
The Studebaker was restored to original about 10 years ago, according to the seller, and the photos with the ad show that it is holding up well. The interior was completely refurbished at the time, the ad says. The woodgrain dashboard with its round gauges, including a tachometer, show the sporty performance goals of the GT Hawk.
The car looks authentic with its 15-inch steel wheels with Studebaker hubcaps and wide whitewalls. Pictures under the hood and in the trunk show that it is clean and presentable.
The Hawk was handsomely restyled for 1962 by the legendary designer Brook Stevens, who removed the sharp tailfins in favor of pert vertical taillights, and refined the roofline to reflect the trend started by Ford Thunderbird. The result was a sophisticated look that could have passed for an Italian sports coupe.
Sadly, it was near the end of the line for Studebaker, and the newly minted GT Hawk would continue only through part of the 1964 model year as the company closed its factory in South Bend, Indiana, where the car was produced. Studebaker closed its doors for good in 1966.
For Studebaker fans, this GT Hawk should hit the spot in its clean, restored condition and desirable color combination. The coupe is priced at $22,995.
To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day
Hi Bob, I just brought that 62 Studerbacker GT last week. I live across the state so I’m waiting for the dealer to ship it to me. Should be early next week. I have been watching that car for over a year and studying up on Studerbackers during that time. I’m looking forward to driving it, working on it and just enjoying it.
That’s great, Dale. Car looked beautiful. Well done.
That’s Brooks Stevens, and he did a great job on updating Raymond Loewy’s original Studebaker Starlight coupe. The best thing was ditching the add-on tailfins which worked OK on the Golden Hawk but stayed too long. I like these cars, but truthfully a small-block Chevy engine with a 5-speed would make this car a stylish rocket….OEM is fine, but that Stude V8 was asthmatic.