GT Hawk Thread

[Bryan Moran]

I am thankful for the information on the 1955 President Speedster that has been shared. I have a Studebaker book by Patrick Foster (?) that I have been reading. My grandmother had a Hawk, unlikely the top of the line model but it was a Hawk. I want to say late 50's or early 60's.

I found this Hawk on Craigs List Chicago.

http://chicago.craigslist.org/nwc/cto/3565210549.html

1962- STUDEBAKER GRAND TORISMO HAWK TT (Twin Traction) 4 speet

Rare - Beautiful - Classic - Need TLC

[Bryan Moran]

Does anyone know how many Hawks were manual transmission equipped?

This Craigs List ad does not have the phone number of the seller so I emailed them. Does this one look familiar as a possible SDC member?

[irish]

The one pictured is a 1962 GT Hawk, that isn't merely a 'manual transmission' that's a borg-warner T-10 4-speed. They are scarce and adds alot of value to the car.

Joe

[Bryan Moran]

The GT Hawks are 2 door hardtops. But, I noticed when Studebaker went to 1956, they went back to a 2 door post Hawk. Why? Given the popularity of the 2 door hardtops in the 50's and 60's why would Studebaker not find a solution to the need for a post in the middle?

[Bryan Moran]

Just spoke with the seller. This appears to be a major deal for a Studebaker fan. This is a one owner car, the owner being a recently deceased 90 year old gentleman that purchased the car new in Arlington Heights IL and the car has 68K original one owner miles, is complete and has all GT Hawk parts. Non running 289 with T10 4 speed. Posi. $3000 or offer. This shouldn't last long, especially being close to South Bend and many Studebaker collectors.

[candbstudebakers]

Nothing really special about the car except the 4 speed but there is lots of them out there, $3000.00 might not be a bad price if the floors and frame are not rotted away, also the trunk, there is lots of places around and in the trunk that get rot, if the engine is not running will it turn ? if not could be some real problems there, it it turns it will run, but how good ? one never knows until they get it running, look it over rust is the biggest problem, interior how good?...good luck if you buy it unseen.

[SN-60]

There's '53-'61 (C-K) rust....and then there's '62-'64 GT Hawk rust........those GT's can REALLY rot out up under and below those 'earmuffs'!!

[rockinhawk]

The GT Hawks are 2 door hardtops. But, I noticed when Studebaker went to 1956, they went back to a 2 door post Hawk. Why? Given the popularity of the 2 door hardtops in the 50's and 60's why would Studebaker not find a solution to the need for a post in the middle?

1956 was the first year of the Hawk There were 4 Hawk models that year. 2 were HT, and 2 were Coupes.I personally like the coupe best. But it's all a matter of taste.
My wife likes the GT HT best. That's why you see both when I post .

[Bryan Moran]

I was just looking at a 63 GT Hawk on a different for sale website. It was an automatic and there was a big gauge on the left side of the gauge package on this car where there isn't anything. Can I assume that's a tachometer on the 63 I was looking at and this one does not have one?

[ken-renda]

I was just looking at a 63 GT Hawk on a different for sale website. It was an automatic and there was a big gauge on the left side of the gauge package on this car where there isn't anything. Can I assume that's a tachometer on the 63 I was looking at and this one does not have one?

check your private messages, i just finished a GT Hawk frame off, Ken, Deltaville, Va

[plwindish]

The GT's dashes really looked incomplete without a tach and clock. The 62's were a great re-style of the classic finned Hawks. My family had 2 61's and a 62, so I had a good basis for comparison. Brook Stevens's re-style was amazing work with a minimum of new parts and maximum use of existing body parts. Seeing and driving the '61 and '62 Hawks never gave one the impression the '62 was a warmed over '61. This '62 might be one to get, but it looks like a lot of rust repair is ahead for you. Its a classic looking car that needs to be preserved, good luck.

[8E45E]

I was just looking at a 63 GT Hawk on a different for sale website. It was an automatic and there was a big gauge on the left side of the gauge package on this car where there isn't anything. Can I assume that's a tachometer on the 63 I was looking at and this one does not have one?

The clock became standard on 1963 & 1964 Hawks, and most likely would have been a clock being on the left.

Craig

[sals54]

Hey Bryan, Check you PM for a message from me as well.

[Bryan Moran]

The clock became standard on 1963 & 1964 Hawks, and most likely would have been a clock being on the left.

Craig

Craig
At least it's just a clock! My understanding is in all things old car-wise that if someone knows you need it, the price goes way up! In either case, this car interests me because how many one owner GT Hawks are left?? Maybe 5 if that. I mean this fellow just passed away at age 90. I am almost 49 years old, so this Hawk was purchased new by this owner (before passing, may he rest in peace) when he was 51 years old.

We can't surmise too mcuh of course but I still have an 11 year old munchkin. Was this fellow buying a mid life crisis GT Hawk? With 4 speed and twin traction? No A/C ?

He never sold it after all these years so was very attached. The current fellow states the car has an ARLINGTON HEIGHTS car dealer sticker on the trunk meaning this car never left the Chicagoland area! Wow.

One the (-) negative side, I checked my Standard Catalog and it shows they made about 9225 1962 GT Hawks. A large number, that is why I was inquiring about how many 4 speeds. White with red interior is NOT my favorite color combination but, even with rust, this is a RARE opportunity to buy a one owner, complete, straight, 40 year garage stored Studebaker.

[Guido]

I mean this fellow just passed away at age 90. I am almost 49 years old, so this Hawk was purchased new by this owner (before passing, may he rest in peace) when he was 51 years old.

I believe your math is off, the car is now 51 model years old meaning that he would have been 39/40 when he acquired it (depending on his birthday and date of purchase).

I would pass on this vehicle, a lot of seen (and probably unseen) rust on that car. These were the floorboards on my '62 GT when I replaced the interior 5 years ago, get the best car structurally you can find and you will be money ahead.



Decimal Dude