Need 62-64 Hawk to Race

[Kenn]

We want to clone #33 HawkGT raced by Dick Passwater in the mid-60's.

WE NEED A CAR> We need a 62-64 HawkGT to build into a Vintage Racer and SCCA SPO Club racer to race in the Southeast. The perfect car will have a bad interior (it will be removed for the rollcage and race seat), decent body, rust free frame, disc brakes, factory 4 speed and 289 with super charger. Please contact me on any car. All the systems will be reworked for racing, the car will pass an annual SCCA tech inspection and have a log book.

I want to see a maroon and white #33 back at Sebring and Daytona again.

Thanks, Kenn Bass, SCCA# 333770, Tallahassee, Florida, 850-933-4054, kennbass@mail.com

[Swifster]

Kenn, I doubt you'll find an original R2 anything in the condition you want. You'll find, as a marque club, these cars are hard enough to find in that condition for a restoration, and 95% of the members would go into protection mode to keep from losing one to be banged and abused in racing (even vintage racers get damaged from time to time).

As the VIN, or serial number, on these cars do not specify an engine, I'd suggest locating a plain V-8 car in so-so condition and restore as necessary and build what you need. I wouldn't be building a hot rod with my car if it wasn't a derilic roller. If it was a solid R2 or R3 with the original drive line, it would be restored. Check out Ebay for a fixer upper.

Having a log book would not increase the value of that car over a restored model per se', but based on the modifications and competitiveness of the car (but I think you know this). The value of any car is in the history and documentation of an original race car. Personally, I'd be saddened to lose one of the few R2's built to this type of project. JMO

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Tom - Sterling Heights, MI

Ancient Chinese Proverb: "Injection is nice, but I'd rather be blown!"

1964 Studebaker Daytona - Laguna Blue, Original 4-Spd. Car, Power Steering, Disc Brakes, Bucket Seats, Tinted Glass, Climatizer Ventilation System, AM Radio (136,989 Miles)

[Swifster]

I hope they don't mind, but I copied this article from The Jet Thrust News (Fall 2001, Issue #16).

[i]

[BobPalma]

OK, did anybody else SEE Team Passwater racing this car? [?] I did!!

Indianapolis Raceway Park is actually west of Indianapolis, on the eastern edge of neighboring Hendricks County. IRP has a road course and an oval race track on the premises, in addition to its famous drag strip where The National Drags are held every Labor Day weekend.

In the summer of 1964, there was some type of stock car race on the IRP road course. I had seats on the drag strip straightaway that comprises one piece of the road course when so configured. I still remember the Passwater Hawk charging out of the corner a little flatter than many of the fellow stockers, and making a good showing for itself even if it didn't win.

Notable was how small and LOW the car seemed when compared with the full-size Fords, Chevys, etc, against which it was running. If it came out of the corner in a pack of cars, you had to strain to see it because it was lower than the others in the group. [:0] They had the suspension really hugging the ground...omigosh, was that the original "Hugger?!"

And true to form, it had an unusually aggressive exhaust note as it roared by; much different than the competing cars. You could sometimes hear the supercharger whine [}] within the roar, but not often.

Yep, it was maroon with a white roof. [] BP

BP

[larkvi]

Speaking just for myself, it's been a long-held pipe dream of mine to run a Lark in the One Lap of America, some vintage rallies, or heck, even a few track days. Specifically I've wanted to set up a '63 two-door sedan with a naturally aspirated 289, fuel cell, roll cage, the whole enchilada. Use as much modern suspension and braking technology as rules allow. Keep two front seats, gut the rest of the interior. Get some sponsorships, call myself the "Studebaker Factory Team" and have some fun while spreading Stude goodwill.

Since very few people I've met fully restore Larks other than Daytonas and R-powered cars - using the rest mostly as beaters or parts cars - I don't think anyone would object. A '64 Daytona supposedly ran at Goodwood in the recent past but I haven't seen any photos or found any info on that car.

[JDP]

I have just the car in my driveway. Engine is in the car and running, interior is out but complete, car needs paint. Black on black, R2 4 speed, 4 K spent on engine/supercharger rebuild and blueprinting. Around 14K as it sits. Just sold a done R2 GT for over double that.

Engine pix here:

http://www.stude.com/BlackGT/

Studebaker On The Net http://stude.com
64 GT Hawk
64 R2 4 speed Challenger
63 R2 4 speed GT Hawk
53 Street rod

[Kenn]

Swifster; I wouldn't race a true vintage R2. We will build/clone the car, have the engine rebuilt. It will have to meet current safety rules, I will not race at 140 in a car without a 12 point cage, and a safe cell for gas. Any information on the orginial car will be appreciated.

BobPalma; Your a lucky man. Thanks for the information on ride height. The photo I have makes the car look like it sits 8 inches of the ground! Any other information you can share?

Thanks for the help, Kenn[u]</u>

[BobPalma]

"Bob Palma; You're a lucky man. Thanks for the information on ride height. The photo I have makes the car look like it sits 8 inches off the ground! Any other information you can share?

Thanks for the help, Kenn."


Well, Kenn, I was 18 years old when I watched that race and I'll be 60 in three months, so a few neurological occurences have zipped through the old cranium since then.

For a while, the car could be seen at Passwater's Body Shop in Broad Ripple, a "suburb" of Indianapolis that has long since been completely surrounded by the city of Indianapolis. But the car disappeared to be raced elsewhere, as noted above. However, Passwater's is still in business right there: The current [:0] Indianapolis phone directory has the listing: Passwater's Auto Specialists Inc, 829 Broad Ripple Avenue, Indianapolis, (317)255-4166! [:I]

You might call SDCer Tom Lawlis in Plainfield IN. I'd rather not post his phone number, but it IS in the SDC National Roster. Tom was our local Indy Chapter SDC Newsletter Editor for several years and I think he looked up and interviewed Dick Passwater in the early 1990s.

Yes, the car had a "cool" attitude on the track, as mentioned. I'm sorry I didn't pursue more information at the time. SOMEWHERE I think I have a grainy old photo I took of the car on the track that day, and if I ever run across it, I know who wants a copy - you! Honest, if I had the slightest idea where it was, I'd look it up. Since I don't, I'd estimate the excavation and exploration would take most of a day. (Sometime, I've GOT to get my photographs organized! Don't we all say that?)

Where are you located, Kenn? Cheers. BP

[Kenn]

quote:Originally posted by JDP

I have just the car in my driveway. Engine is in the car and running, interior is out but complete, car needs paint. Black on black, R2 4 speed, 4 K spent on engine/supercharger rebuild and blueprinting. Around 14K as it sits. Just sold a done R2 GT for over double that.

Engine pix here:

http://www.stude.com/BlackGT/

Studebaker On The Net http://stude.com
64 GT Hawk
64 R2 4 speed Challenger
63 R2 4 speed GT Hawk
53 Street rod

The engine is beautiful!

But you'd kill my budget at the start. We want to build it, also to race all bushings, shocks, springs all the suspension items will need to be changed for the abuse and stress of the track.

Kenn

[Kenn]

quote:Originally posted by larkvi

Speaking just for myself, it's been a long-held pipe dream of mine to run a Lark in the One Lap of America, some vintage rallies, or heck, even a few track days. Specifically I've wanted to set up a '63 two-door sedan with a naturally aspirated 289, fuel cell, roll cage, the whole enchilada. Use as much modern suspension and braking technology as rules allow. Keep two front seats, gut the rest of the interior. Get some sponsorships, call myself the "Studebaker Factory Team" and have some fun while spreading Stude goodwill.

Since very few people I've met fully restore Larks other than Daytonas and R-powered cars - using the rest mostly as beaters or parts cars - I don't think anyone would object. A '64 Daytona supposedly ran at Goodwood in the recent past but I haven't seen any photos or found any info on that car.

Your right, it's unimportant what is driven, it's the fun of putting the car together and driving the track, alone at a track day or wheel to wheel. Part of what i want to do is "spread Stude goodwill". I had to show my 29 year old son a photograph, he didn't know what a Stude Was !!

[Kenn]

quote:Originally posted by BobPalma

"Bob Palma; You're a lucky man. Thanks for the information on ride height. The photo I have makes the car look like it sits 8 inches off the ground! Any other information you can share?
If you find the photo PLEASE send me a copy. If I can do it I'll attach two photos that were sent to me by Bob of "Studebaker Racing" fame.

Thanks for the help, Kenn."


Well, Kenn, I was 18 years old when I watched that race and I'll be 60 in three months, so a few neurological occurences have zipped through the old cranium since then.

For a while, the car could be seen at Passwater's Body Shop in Broad Ripple, a "suburb" of Indianapolis that has long since been completely surrounded by the city of Indianapolis. But the car disappeared to be raced elsewhere, as noted above. However, Passwater's is still in business right there: The current [:0] Indianapolis phone directory has the listing: Passwater's Auto Specialists Inc, 829 Broad Ripple Avenue, Indianapolis, (317)255-4166! [:I]

You might call SDCer Tom Lawlis in Plainfield IN. I'd rather not post his phone number, but it IS in the SDC National Roster. Tom was our local Indy Chapter SDC Newsletter Editor for several years and I think he looked up and interviewed Dick Passwater in the early 1990s.

Yes, the car had a "cool" attitude on the track, as mentioned. I'm sorry I didn't pursue more information at the time. SOMEWHERE I think I have a grainy old photo I took of the car on the track that day, and if I ever run across it, I know who wants a copy - you! Honest, if I had the slightest idea where it was, I'd look it up. Since I don't, I'd estimate the excavation and exploration would take most of a day. (Sometime, I've GOT to get my photographs organized! Don't we all say that?)

Where are you located, Kenn? Cheers. BP

Bob, thanks for the leads, I'll follow up and see what I can find out.

I live in Tallahassee, Florida.[img][/img]

[JDP]

If you're budget is that low, you may be screwed. The R2 supercharger kit will run you $2500 or more, another $2000 or so to build a race prepped long block, then 5K or so for a solid donor body, then the 4 speed setup for on top of that. If you can build a GT R2 clone just as a running, driving shell for under 12K, you're the man.
I agree a clone will save you some money though.

Studebaker On The Net http://stude.com
64 GT Hawk
64 R2 4 speed Challenger
63 R2 4 speed GT Hawk
53 Street rod

[Kenn]

quote:Originally posted by JDP

If you're budget is that low, you may be screwed. The R2 supercharger kit will run you $2500 or more, another $2000 or so to build a race prepped long block, then 5K or so for a solid donor body, then the 4 speed setup for on top of that. If you can build a GT R2 clone just as a running, driving shell for under 12K, you're the man.
I agree a clone will save you some money though.

Studebaker On The Net http://stude.com
64 GT Hawk
64 R2 4 speed Challenger
63 R2 4 speed GT Hawk
53 Street rod

JDP; It will be a 18-24 month project for us. Like our SCCA car, we may stop keeping records when the expense makes us look a little 'touched' to the non-racing folks.

But I really want a Stude back at historic race tracks.

[tstclr]

JDP:
What would a complete engine in the same condition of your's be worth? Something like that sure would sway me from putting a Chevy V8 in my 63 Lark 2dr sedan

Todd

[JDP]

It was delivered at York last year and everyone was asking "how much ?" even though it was not for sale. I told my buddy to say $6500 just to get them to go away, but one guy wanted to know if a deposit would hold it until he got the cash at home. I figure you could build a clone of one like mine for 5K or so.

Studebaker On The Net http://stude.com
64 GT Hawk
64 R2 4 speed Challenger
63 R2 4 speed GT Hawk
53 Street rod