[u]The 1st Super Hawks & Super Larks made.</u>
* Two early 1963 Super Hawks and Six early Super Larks were made in South Bend.
* All appear to have been ordered early on 2-11-63
* Final assembly varied slightly.
* The Hawk and Lark production orders I've seen show they were sent to engineering.
* All appear to have final shipping as Mar 12, 1963.
* 1/2 of all were 4spd and 1/2 were powershift.
* All were Painted White.
* All had TT 354 axle ratio
* All listed option 600 for many options.
* Production Orders were all 2 pages long!
* The Hawk and Lark production orders I've seen show they were sent to Engineering.
* Studebaker Service Letter #148 states that "SUPER LARKS & SUPER HAWKS WILL BEGIN TO ROLL OFF THE ASSEMBLY LINES ABOUT APRIL 1".
The two early white Super Hawks built, then shipped to Engineering, were #63V23914 (4spd) #63V23972 (Powershift).
The 1st powershift Super Hawk (#63V23972) survives in Bellingham, WA.
I am hoping to find more history on this car.
The 1st 4 spd Super Hawk originally went to Englewood NJ.
The 1st Powershift Super Hawk originally went to Los Angeles, California.
I have found through previous owners, 63V23972 was later traded in at a car dealer near Indianapolis Indiana (Shelbyville) and the dealer kept it for himself until he passed away in early 1980's.
[u]A Total of only 4 White R2 Super Hawks built for 1963!</u>
[u]Early Production (prototypes)</u>
* #23914 R2 4spd Hawk
EW, Engine #S1520, Jim Bergener has owned in CA.
* #23972 R2 powershift Hawk
EW, Engine #S1522, Currently in Bellingham, WA.
[u]Produced after April anouncement:</u>
* #31103 R2 powershift Hawk
EW, Engine #S1635, Doug Tjapkes has owned in Michigan
* #31403 R2 4spd Hawk
EW, Engine #S1637 Tom Kazale Jr has owned in Chicago
Besides #63V23972 there was 1 other white powershift R2 Super Hawk made in 1963 (there were also 2 white 4spd R2's and 2 white R1 Super Hawks made that year).
Since any original photo's of a 1963 White R2 Superhawk with powershift could likley be this car (2 made), I am hoping to get more history/info on the car and hope anyone here may help.
Motor Trend had a great June 63 article on the 63 Super Hawk that showed a white R2 powershift prototype with CA license plates, without the badges.
I found a previous owner of 63V23972 (he bought the car in early
80's from widow in Shelbyville IN) and clearly remembers adding the emblems to this car because it didn't have the grill emblem, or holes for the fender emblems. He is forwarding pictures of the car when he owned/restored it before selling it at the 19886 Indianapolis Natl Meet.
A Harry Webber was an ex Studebaker mechanic, who he said worked on the car.
A June 1963 Car Life Magazine article mentions test driving the 1st
Studebaker Super Lark (but not the Super Hawk) at the Studebaker Proving Grounds while testing and driving a R2 Wagonaire. The Lark matched the 1st car, white R2, 4spd, TT, 354 axle ratio, etc.
It would make sense for engineering to test the cars at the proving grounds, or use them for press rides.
Although each early production order had listed every item with option 600, such as Avanti Wheels, Avanti Speedo W Bezel, etc. they don't list the special emblems.
Looking closely at the Advertising of "Two New Cars are Born" they show white Super Lark and Hawk car drawings without the round grill badge (shows common style badge).
Please forward any info or original pictures you may find of a White 1963 R2 Powershift Super Hawk.
Any info and history on this unique car is very appreciated!
Thanks,
James
The Bell Collection
Bellingham, WA.
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