As evidenced at the recent Barrett-Jackson sale in Scottsdale, AZ, more and more serious car enthusiasts enjoy collecting "orphan" cars, made by manufacturers no longer in existence. Proof of point: two DeSoto Adventurer Convertibles that sold for $285,000.00 each! It all makes sense: how many '59 Caddys, '57 Chevys, or '55 Thunderbirds can you look at until you fall asleep? Dare to be different with a Nash Rambler, Packard Caribbean, or a Studebaker Hawk, and you will have people flock to your car wherever you show up.
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The 1962 Studebaker Gran Turismo Hawk presented here is a direct descendant of the fabulous '53 Loewy Coupe, one of the most significant automobile designs of the decade. Updated by Brooks Stevens, the powerful GT Hawk was one of the first "personal luxury" autombiles and was espoused in ads featuring famous connoisseur and Rolls-Royce owner Lucius Beebe, former chairman of the Pebble Beach road races and author of "The Big Spenders."
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The GT Hawk achieved certified Milestone Car status long ago. With only 8,388 examples built for 1962, it's a rare, all-American Classic of the most desirable kind.
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Forty-five years later, there's but a handful of excellent, unrestored surviving GT Hawks left in the Country. Due to an incredible set of fortunate circumstances, this particular car has not only survived in outstanding, virginal condition, it also runs and drives every bit as strong as its creators intended and is ready for relaxed long-distance cruising, ice cold air conditioning and all!
It has been said that Brooks Stevens received inspiration for the massive GT Hawk chrome grille from Mercedes luxury cars of the era, which makes sense, since the Studebaker perfectly emulated the panache of fine European Grand Touring cars. (Ironically, the Studebaker-Packard Corporation was the American distributor for Mercedes Benz automobiles at the time!)
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The fantastic 1962 Studebaker Gran Turismo Hawk presented for auction here VIN *62V-37598*, shows just 27,607 miles on its odometer, and we're inclined to believe that those miles are original!
Among other interesting tidbits, it comes with its original Owner's Guide, blank customer ID plate ("quality built expressly for . . .) that could be affixed to the dash, parts and service folder, oil filter instruction card, laminated magazine article, and an original copy of Beebe's book "The Big Spenders".
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Residing in the Q-tip-clean engine bay is Studebaker's own, irrepressible 289 cu.in. solid lifter V-8 power plant, topped by a 4-barrel CARTER WCFB carburetor and producing 225 strong horses. The car's second owner was a retired GM engineer who kept the car at his home in Kingman, Arizona. In his 2,000sq.ft. workshop, he labored tirelessly to keep his pride and joy in top operating condition. In warmer climate zones, vintage cars are often hampered by vapor lock, so our friend installed twin electric fuel pumps, modified carb base gaskets, a fuel pressure regulator and gauge in the engine compartment, and a thermostatically controlled, electric accessory radiator fan. Now, the car runs cool and without any hiccups, even in 110-degree weather! The charging system was upgraded from a generator to a modern alternator with internal regulator. (If you are a purist and prefer looking at your Stude instead of driving it, all these changes are reversible without leaving a trace. The original regulator, generator with bracket, and fuel pump are still with the car.) Seventeen receipts--totalling $2,121.58--for various parts installed by the car's owner are included as well.
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Befitting an original California black-license-plate car, the Hawk's body is as good as you'll ever find. There is not a speck of rust anywhere, and there has never been any rust repair necessary, quite an achievement in and by itself. The Alabaster White paint is still mostly original and displays an irreplaceable luster befitting a fine antique. It's free of bubbles, dings, dents, or scratches. All brightwork and trim is in excellent original condition throughout.
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Stock steel wheels have been fitted with excellent whitewall radial tires of the size 205/75-15 and sport turbine look stainless steel Studebaker hubcaps with hand-painted center motifs.
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Relics from an earlier era: the crotch cooler vents in the front fenders, à la '52 Volkswagen and Jaguar XK 120. The are fully functional!
Thanks to the installation of a new heater core, the under-seat heater--with dual fans--works perfectly, too.
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Inside, the hand-crafted opulence continues with lots of aluminum brightwork, tuck-and-roll padding on the dash, color-coordinated materials, real wood, and lots of chrome. Only a low-mileage car can be this clean and original!
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Details:
- Aircraft-style instrument panel with seven round-dialed, Stewart-Warner-inspired gauges and toggle switches.
- FRIGIKING air conditioning and original Studebaker radio. A modern cassette/stereo has been fitted, too.
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Aquamarine Blue front bucket seats still feature their original naugahyde upholstery, in very nice condition. There are lap belts. Unlike its immediate predecessors, the '62 Hawk was designed as a pillarless hardtop Coupe, with fully retractable side windows. Note the immaculate door panels and crack-free steering wheel!
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Details:
- Elaborate seat backs with storage pockets and (unused) ash receivers.
- Absolutely perfect, perforated headliner with stainless steel bows. Note working dome light.
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Elegantly fluted upholstery to rear bench seat continues the 2+2 Grand Touring theme.
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Check out superb state of the embossed aluminum rear closing panel, dual exhausts, and functional backup lamps.
Before we leave to conduct our test drive, there are two more areas to inspect: the trunk and the undercarriage.
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As spotless as the remainder of the car, the rust free trunk is fully lined. Even the spare wheel sports a matching cover! Phone-book-like tome is a complete 1962 Studebaker shop manual--might prove itself to be very useful, down the line! There's also a spare parts catalogue from Studebakers International. It's amazing: you can still purchase virtually all parts needed to keep your Stude forever in top operating condition.
By the way, even the trunk light works.
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Here's to the dyed-in-the-wool enthusiast: owner's baseball cap with Stude pins and even a Studebaker wrist watch are part of this auction. Spare and tire jack look unused.
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Of critical importance on any classic car is its structural integrity, primarily the condition of its undercarriage.
45 years after it was built, all you'll find on this Studebaker is virginal factory sheetmetal. Never any rust or rust repair, nor spray can artistry of any kind, and that's guaranteed!
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Let's go put the 'baker through its paces now!
On February 6, one of those rather mild and sunny Southern California winter days, we headed out toward the ocean. With its automatic choke, the Hawk starts instantly and quickly settles into a smooth idle. The engine sounds very healthy, spent gases being extracted via dual glass pack mufflers. The Borg Warner automatic transmission shifts firmly, power steering provides enough feel to make winding country lanes fun to tackle, and the big drum brakes all around anchor the car straight and with authority. There are no shimmies or shakes: the suspension has been rebuilt as needed, including new coil springs up front.
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The GT Hawk truly possesses a higher fun-to-drive quotient than any other car we've owned from its era. It never overheats, and everything works perfectly, even the clock!
You probably won't dream of it, but this super fine, 45 year-old car most certainly is reliable and comfortable enough to be driven every day. On Sundays, wipe off the road dust and take the GT to your local Drive-in or car show, wowing the crowds with your unique ride!
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Among Studebaker enthusiasts, the 1962-64 GT Hawks have always occupied a special place; this is reflected in the very solid prices taken from the current Collector Car value guide. This car, being at least a very strong # 2+ condition, featuring additional unique traits like its California provenance, low mileage, and virtually unmatched originality, should steadily gain in value as time marches on.
| 1962 Studebaker Gran Turismo Hawk | #6 Condition | #5 Condition | #4 Condition | #3 Condition | #2 Condition | #1 Condition |
| 2 Door Coupe | $1,000 | $3,250 | $9,400 | $16,800 | $23,900 | $42,000 |
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Here is your chance to secure one of the very few remaining certified American Milestone cars of the late Fiftes/early Sixties period not yet tucked away in some aficionado's private collection.
In the year 2007, you couldn't acquire more class and style for any amount of money!
Addendum:
This Studebaker sold in February 2007 to an enthusiast from Phonix, Arizona.