63 or 64 HAWK? Calling

[JEWELL]

Sorry I don't now how to post the link but there is a 63 GT Hawk with a 64 trunk and front grill on ebay that the seller claims is a very late 63 factory production car that came with a 64 trunk. I have not seen any mention of this car on our forum so is this a true factory car?

Mark

[DEEPNHOCK]

Sorry I don't now how to post the link but there is a 63 GT Hawk with a 64 trunk and front grill on ebay that the seller claims is a very late 63 factory production car that came with a 64 trunk. I have not seen any mention of this car on our forum so is this a true factory car?

Mark

Here's a link...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Studebaker-Grand-Turismo-Hawk-Rebuilt-289-CI-V8-Flight-o-Matic-Auto-Rust-Free-Low-Miles-/171192482637?forcerrptr=true&hash=item27dbddfb4d&item=171192482637&pt=US_Cars_Trucks

(copy of text)
1963 Studebaker GT Hawk

1963 Studebaker "Hawk" Grand Turismo finished in stunning combination of Factory Cream White over Black hides with Red piping. Having stayed with the same owner since 1979.
Coming with all receipts during ownership from 1979. Quality and care shows in the stunning condition of this LOW mile classic vehicle.
The HAWK was only produced from 1962-1964, with approx.4,600 EVER built.
This example is considered a very late 1963 production vehicle, most in the circle of these cars consider it a 1964 model year.
It is equipped with the 1964 rear trunk change that was a Flush unit with no rear grill.
A few LATE production 63 cars escaped with this 64 upgrade from the factory back in the day.
Who knows how many remain and certainly not in the superior condition of this vehicle.
Having lived all its life since new in Southern California it is a fully rust free car.
Coming highly optioned from the factory with its Rear wheel drive and Front mounted recently rebuilt 289 CI V8 motor connected to its rebuilt "Flight-o-Matic' Automatic transmission, Factory Disc Brakes, Factory AM/FM Radio, Factory reclining seats with headrests freshly re-covered, Optioned upgrade dash inclusive of tack and clock and Factory hub caps and the steel wheels wrapped in newer period correct tires.
Everything works as it should and vehicle drives with reliability for those long and enjoyable outings.

[JEWELL]

Thanks for posting the link DEEPNHOCK, now lets see what others think about the car.

Mark

[swvalcon]

Highly optioned with rear wheel drive and front mounted 289? Didn't they all come that way? My guess is someone put on the 64 trunk when it was painted last. As you can see it's been repainted. I would guess the seats had the red added when they where redone as they are not stock either. The grille surround was replaced with a 64 also.

[E. Davis]

Holy cow!!!!!!!!!!After reading this description and history of Hawks I had to run out to the garage to see if my 61 was really there or just a dream I had. Yep...its there and says Hawk right on it . Looked on the registration and it says 61 Studebaker Hawk. Whew...had me scared for awhile when they said they were only built from 62 to 64.

[PackardV8]

Despite the lame/inaccurate attempt at copywriting, it is a beautiful car. Someone has obviously added the decklid, grille, seat piping (in the photos it looks much better than original upholstery) leather wrapped steering wheel and so on. None of that would slow me down if I were in the market.

What are our estimates of the auction price for such a nice, albeit slightly modified '63 GT?

[StudeRich]

The seller did not chose to do an eBay Auction on this one, he is taking offers or the Buy it Now $28,888.00 (he wishes!). I think a real Auction would bring 25-30,000 or an eBay Auction 18-20,000, maybe.

It is a very nice example, except that silly, distracting Red Piping. I like the "Map Light" added over the Glove Box, but they need to reinstall the Glove Box Light hanging outside the Box.
The '64 Grille Shell, Hood Ornament, and Deck Lid look much better than '63 also.
And the '64 AM/FM is a nice touch also.

It is really funny how these Classic Car Dealers dream up these way out stories. Only 3 years of "Hawks", when actually there were only 2, '60 and '61, which certainly does not include '62 to '64 Gran Turismo Hawks.

[Xcalibur]

Some of the description makes sense IF one considers that many might consider front-wheel drive, etc. to be the general "lay of the land" despite make and vintage, hehehe!!! But, regarding the front and rear being '64, I have heard this before and I think it is not a factory impossibility, BUT given the other obviously non-factory pieces... well, I too would doubt it. But, that would only matter to a purist--unless the change were the result of convenient replacement parts after having been the "meat" in a rear-to-front bang-up sandwich!!!

StudeRich... the sellers are car dealers, NOT Studephiles; surely you know how little the general public, even collector car seller, know (or care) about Studes!

[JEWELL]

Since we know or think we know the VIN I sure would like to know the build date on this Hawk. Where are you Mr. Palma?

Mark

[PackardV8]

Off topic, but since the offering misuses the term "coupe", it's worth mentioning.

Any term which supposedly has some cache will inevitably attached to lesser products the manufacturer hopes to pass off on the unsuspecting. A coupe was originally a single seat 2-door metal roofed car. By the 1950s, there were few single seat cars left, think Stude, Chev, Mopar business coupes; by 1953 coupe was increasingly applied to a close coupled 2-door with a B-pillar and a rear seat. Think Studebaker C-bodies. Twenty-first century advertising whores are now describing BMW and Mercedes four-door sedans with a sloping roofline as coupes.

Bottom line, the GT should be properly described as a 2-door hardtop.

jack vines

[52hawk]

The car does not have a battery hold-down,let's hope Mr Palma doesn't look at it...

[studegary]

There were 1618 1963 V8 cars built in SB after this Hawk. I believe that there were Hawks built after this one for 1963 and with 1963 trunks and grilles.

[StudeRich]

No WAY!

/Cut?Twenty-first century advertising whores are now describing BMW and Mercedes four-door sedans with a sloping roofline as coupes./Cut/jack vines

Seriously? A FOUR DOOR COUPE? NO! NOT!

[qsanford]

I think there were Rover four door sedans back in the Sixties that were referred to as coupes.

[PackardV8]

I think there were Rover four door sedans back in the Sixties that were referred to as coupes.

That's why they call it the oldest profession.

jack vines