Vehicle Description
Description
When Studebaker hired designer Brooks Stevens to redesign the Hawk
for 1962, he was faced with working on a shoestring budget under
the uncertainty surrounding the company's fortunes, Stevens
modernized Raymond Loewy's original design in striking fashion,
rounding off the rear of the car and replacing its softly arcing
roofline with a squared-off roof inspired by the Ford Thunderbird.
The design remained virtually unchaged for 1963, but in another
attempt to increase the new Hawk's appeal, Studebaker began
offering the Avanti 289 CI V-8 in both normally aspirated and
supercharged versions and a new Super Hawk braking and handling
package that included front and rear anti-roll bars, rear radius
rods, heavy-duty springs, power steering and power front disc
brakes. Unrestored except for a repaint in the original Ermine
White, this sterling example is one of 56 early production 1963 GT
Hawks special ordered to Super Hawk specifications before the model
was technically available from the factory. It was specially built
for actor Alan Young, who at the time was the star of the hit
television comedy "Mr. Ed" and retains its matching-numbers R1
289/240 HP Jet-Thrust Avanti V-8 engine, which is teamed with a
heavy-duty Flight-O-Matic transmission and Twin Traction
limited-slip rear end. It still features its original and
exceptionally fresh Red vinyl interior equipped with factory
Climatizer air conditioning, full gauges and a 6,000-RPM tachometer
and recently received braking system and engine services using NOS
seals and gaskets. A California and Arizona car for most of it's
life, it comes with the original build record from the Studebaker
National Museum.
Details
1 of 56 early production GT Hawks special ordered to Super Hawk
specifications before it was technically available from the
factory
Specially built by the factory for actor Alan Young the star of
television show Mr. Ed
Numbers matching R1 289/240 HP Jet-Thrust Avanti V-8 engine
duty Flight-O-Matic transmission
traction rear end
Climatizer air conditioning
disc brakes
steering
Unrestored with one repaint in original Ermine White
Red vinyl interior
braking system and engine servicing with NOS seals and gaskets
Arizona car from new
build record from Studebaker National Museum